AS a nine-year-old Josh Stapley relished representing Bathurst City Amateur Swim Club in a competitive environment - now it is a passion he now wants to instil in the next generation.
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Stapley has been announced as the new head coach for the Manning Aquatic Centre Bathurst swim squad and is keen to help more talented athletes to fulfil their potential.
Since he worked on his swimming skills as a nine-year-old, Stapley has transitioned into talented triathlete who has represented his country.
It has given him firsthand experience in what it takes to find success and he wants to utilise that knowledge to help develop a national level swim squad.
"Having grown up in the regional sporting system, I have always believed more could be done. For many years I have had aspirations to develop and implement my vision for a performance squad here in Bathurst that would provide our regional athletes greater opportunities and access for development," Stapley said.
"It is an honour to be a part of each of my athlete's individual journeys toward success, and I look forward to watching them grow and develop, not only as athletes, but as people.
"Swimming in Bathurst, and in particular the Bathurst Swim Club, has always had potential to provide great results on a state and national stage, yet hasn't had the consistency and realistic vision for this potential to be fully reached.
"I have been in and around high performance sporting environments for seven years, I have seen firsthand what works and what doesn't."
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As well as the experience Stapley has gained in triathlon, which has included spending six years working with the HYPER team junior performance squad, he brings other assets to the head coach role.
He has a bachelor's degree in exercise and sports science from CSU, while in triathlon coaching roles at the Western Region Academy of Sport, Stapley has worked with state and national level athletes.
Stapley also has a wealth of experience as a swim coach.
"I have been coaching the Bathurst Aquatic Centre squads for the last four and a half years, with many of my first swimmers still training with me today," he said.
"I have had the pleasure of also coaching at swim club targeted meets, including New South Wales Country and State Championships."
Stapley said he is aiming is to combine "proven old-school coaching techniques, with modern sports science principles" and to focus on the individual needs of squad members.
"I am excited for my athletes to flourish in this new squad program," he said.
