HOW IT HAS EVOLVED

Q How have you found the transition from being a very high level swimmer yourself into coaching athletes these days? A I really enjoyed the aspect of competition and a team environment. It is something I can step away individually from competing myself and now assist others to do better. Having been around and seeing what it takes to be the best, I am not surprised by performances and I really do make an effort to treat para athletes like high performance athletes, looking past their impairments and disabilities to make sure they are doing the right training load, in a professional approach to get better outcomes and performances. We really focus on being the best group of athletes we can be and being the best para swim team in the world. That is for our operations and process and having everyone buying in to be better and as good as they can be. We do that with our athletes and Cate Campbell will have the same thing worked on her by coaches. It is about efficiency and maintaining fitness. Q Australian Dolphins Team Director Jacco Verhaeren has spoken about working together with the para team. I am sure that is something you are interested in? A Coming from the Commonwealth Games, we had the biggest team we have ever had with 70 athletes. It was great for both groups. For the Dolphins, they can see the resilience of the para athletes. It is really grounding for them. For the para guys, it is about being around the best pros and athletes they can.