New coach to make an instant splash

Andy McLay at the Wanganui Age Group Signature Meet on Saturday. Photo/Stuart Munro

As the youngsters of the Wanganui Swim Club hit the water during the weekend's Age Group Signature Meet, for most of them it was the first time under the watchful eye of their new mentor.

Andy McLay has travelled over from the Hawke's Bay to take over as the club's new head coach, replacing the retiring Jane Lowe.

Having been a head coach since the age of 20, McLay was in charge at the Heretaunga Swimming Club from 2010 until last April, helping lift the "Sundevils" back up to being competitive on the national stage.

He said he came to Wanganui for more of a change in lifestyle and the "huge appeal" of taking over a growing club.

"I feel at home already."

Given they have to training alone in this town rather than regularly pitting themselves against other clubs like in the bigger centres, the Subway Wanganui Swim team was well disciplined, focused and had a strong team culture, he said.

"Jane did a great job, I know her type of programme.

"Ultimately, I want to see kids from Wanganui doing well on the national stage.

"It's a big world, if you want to be in any sort of position to be challenging at the top end, you've got to put the foundation together."

While Wanganui swimmers often punch above their weight when attending major events, always making personal bests and setting new local records, McLay wants winning medals to become the end-game, especially as they are now part of the wider Wellington swimming region.

He took over as head coach on February 10, with the first task watching club members Sarya Lower and newcomer Rebecca Brown do well at the State NZ Junior Championships on February 15-16 in Wellington.

Each girl earned a host of top 10 placings, while Lower also won gold as part of the Wellington Regional Freestyle Relay team.