The Columbia-Shuswap Selkirks Swimming Club and Salmon Arm Waves Masters Swimming Club have found a new coach to take the reins.
“I am really excited about moving to Salmon Arm. Apart from the beautiful surroundings and the lakes, the area has always been able to produce excellent swimmers and athletes in many sports,” said Barry Healey.
Originally from the United Kingdom, Healey holds a level three Coaching Association of Canada certificate, and is an experienced coach with both large and small clubs, and has seen his swimmers move onto the university level and the Olympics.
“I am proud to have worked with some great athletes, with super supportive parents. In Canada, I hold NCCP Level 3. I have coached swimmers on National Tour Teams. Some of my athletes have gone on to the Commonwealth Games, World Champs and the Olympics,” said Healey.
He says he is a hard-working coach with lots of patience and feels sport is an important development tool for young kids.
“I love developing athletes, not only to become good at sport, but to take the skills into school, college and, later, university and the work place,” said Healey.
“I enjoy working as a team to try and get athletes to become the very best they can be. I like to empower athletes to make choices and set goals that will challenge themselves.”
The Selkirks season is set to get underway later this month, and Healey is eager to make some waves in the local swimming community.