Injection of expertise boon for region

THE appointment of Lars Humer to the head coaching role has been described as a boon for swimming in Dunedin.

Humer will not start until May next year but Dunedin Swim Coaching Board chairman Jonathan Duncan is thrilled to have the experienced coach coming home.

‘‘We are ecstatic to have Lars join the team at DSCB next year. His passion and experience will be a boon for Dunedin and Otago swimmers,’’ Duncan said.

‘‘His injection of expertise, alongside key partners, including DCC, Swimming Otago, University of Otago and Otago Polytechnic will help develop a worldclass swimming programme here in Dunedin.’’

With Humer not starting until May, former national champion Kurt Crosland will take over the coaching of the A and B squads.

The DSCB has restructured the swim coaching role and created three new positions to take up the coaching roles and also pick up the administration of the sport.

The board restructured the swim coaching positions after it felt too much of the administra tion work was being put in the hands of volunteers.

Gennadiy Labara, head coach at the pool for more than 10 years, did not seek a new position. He was seeking legal advice after considering he had illegally lost his job.

But he has abandoned his legal options and is believed to have found a new job coaching in Queensland.