12 Aug 2008

Thirteen coaches supported through the Australian Sports Commission’s Elite Coach Development Program, and National Coaching Scholarship Program have been named on the Australian Olympic Team for Beijing.

Twelve of these coaches earned selection on the team in coaching and supporting roles across eight sports, and one coach will compete. Marty Rabjohns, the current rowing scholarship coach, is also the cox of the men’s eight.

The coaches off to Beijing from the Elite Coach Development Program are:

• Tim O’Shaughnessy (Athletics)
• Martin Marinov (Canoe/Kayak)
• Vince Fehervari (Canoe/Kayak)
• Stephan Widmer (Swimming)
• Michael Bohl (Swimming)
• Rohan Taylor (Swimming)
• Daniel Trenton (Taekwondo)
• John Fox (Water Polo)
• Adrian Finglas (Paralympics – Sailing)

From the National Coaching Scholarship Program the coaches in a supporting role include:

• Mick Nelson (Beach Volleyball)
• Adrian Finglas (Sailing)
• Kate Starre (Hockey)

Coaches from both programs have played an active role in Olympic preparations with direct responsibility for athletes on the team even though they have not been named as part of the coaching staff for the games.

The Elite Coach Development Program focuses on the development of the ‘next generation’ of national coaches from targeted sports, or in some cases existing national coaches, whose development will be fast-tracked over a three-year period.