Leigh Nugent could be the Australian head swim coach for the next two Olympics under a new deal with Swimming Australia.
Previously the acting head coach, Nugent has signed to guide the team up until the end of 2013 with a further three-year option that could see him continue through to the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics.
Leigh Nugent could be the Australian head swim coach for the next two Olympics under a new deal with Swimming Australia.
Previously the acting head coach, Nugent has signed to guide the team up until the end of 2013 with a further three-year option that could see him continue through to the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics.
Nugent was widely expected to be handed the top job but the length of his deal is a considerable show of faith in his leadership.
The announcement came on the opening day of the Commonwealth Games trials in Sydney on Tuesday and is expected to provide the sport with some much-needed stability.
Nugent led Australia to its best away Olympic performance in the pool at the 2004 Athens Games where the nation's swimmers captured seven gold medals.
Nugent returned to step into the breach in December after former head coach Alan Thompson took leave following anonymous accusations of "inappropriate behaviour".
Thompson accepted a redundancy package in late January after Swimming Australia reduced his powers by splitting up the positions of head coach and high performance general manager.
The independent inquiry into Thompson's behaviour is ongoing.
Following the 2004 Olympics, Nugent opted to become the national youth coach and formed a successful partnership with Thompson. Nugent said it was a fantastic opportunity to take up the coveted position.
"To be involved with this team is always a very humbling experience and one that should never be taken for granted," he said.
"The Australian swim team plays a unique and important role in elite sport in this country, particularly in relation to Olympic success.
"Every member of the Australian swim team works hard towards that success and in pools all over Australia, that journey to London has already begun."
Nugent believed Australian swimming was in good shape as athletes adjusted to the new suit rules.
"There is plenty of talent out there, both from an athlete and coach perspective, and that's where this week could prove so important as new talent can always step up at a meet like this," he said.
Meanwhile former New Zealand chief executive David Crocker will take on the role of Swimming Australia's high performance general manager.
Tom Wald
AAP
