TRARALGON Swimming Club stalwart Brenton Ford was named 2012 Masters Swimming Australian coach of the year, following his success with the Powerpoints Masters team.
The 25 year-old son of TSC head instructor Brian Ford took up coaching four years ago when he was invited to ply his teachings with Powerpoints, a club comprised of athletes ranging from ex-Olympians such as Michael Klim, through to casual swimmers.
The entrepreneurial studies graduate has since created two websites devoted to developing masters and open water swimmers, particularly triathletes, and his coaching helped Powerpoints claim a third consecutive point score victory at the national championships in 2012.
Masters Swimming Australia president Craig Smith presented the award to Ford, and said his coaching “kept swimmers engaged and interested in applying themselves”.
“The selection committee was impressed with the successes that (Ford’s) swimmers achieved in 2012 and (his) coaching style that caters for the needs of each swimmer,” Smith said.
“Adjectives such as reliable, professional, persistent and fair were used by various members of (the) club to describe (him).”
Ford said he was extremely proud to win the prestigious award after several years of service.
“As a 21 year-old it can be quite intimidating coaching a group of athletes who have competed and swum at the highest level and then having them gel with those adults who just want to be part of a swimming club environment,” Ford said.
“However, from day one I found the swimmers really just desperate to have some plans, structure, goal setting and programs in place.
“They were really no different to the needs of a junior swimmer and even more inspiring was that they really wanted to be there and make Powerpoints the best and most successful club in Australia again.” Brenton will be back on pool deck with Powerpoints chasing further success in the upcoming season.
Ford has returned to swimming with the Traralgon club where he will be male captain of the Victorian Country Short Course team in Wangaratta during August.
Ford’s websites can be accessed at effortlessswimming.com.au and swimprove.com.au
