Swimming: Renowned swimming coach Peter Banks has been appointed as High Performance Director for Swim Ireland and will take up his new role from the start of May.
The former coach at Newpark Sports Complex in Blackrock, Dublin built his reputation in the States where he held a number of positions and coached several swimmers to Olympic gold. Under the Irishman’s watch American Brooke Bennett won three gold medals at Atlanta (1996) and Sydney (2000).
He was also Director of Club Development for the American Swim Coaches Association (ASCA) from 2001 – 2004, and joins Swim Ireland from his current position of Sports Development and Aquatics Director at Brandon Sports & Aqautic Centre in Brandon, Florida.
Recruiting Banks is part of Swim Ireland’s overall restructuring programme, which includes a new High Performance Director in the lead up to the 2012 London Olympics.
"This is a crucial time for Irish swimming to have a High Performance Director in place and we are delighted that Peter has made the decision to come on board,” said Sarah Keane, Swim Ireland chief executive.
“In terms of performance, Irish Swimming had one of its most successful Olympic Games ever, last year in Beijing. With 2009 marking the beginning of a new Olympic cycle and with the next Olympics due to take place on our doorstep in London 2012, we want to provide Irish swimmers with the best opportunities to develop and reach their potential."
Banks will be responsible for developing and implementing new High Performance strategies. He will also co-ordinate with coaches plus liaise with the Irish Sports Council, Sport Northern Ireland and other external agencies to get the best out of Ireland’s elite swimmers.
"In Peter Banks Swim Ireland has recruited a person who can lead the elite side of the sport through the next few, crucial years,” said John Treacy, chief executive Irish Sports Council. “He has the requisite knowledge and experience to unleash the potential of Ireland's young swimmers and to take advantage of the sustained investment in the sport over recent years".
Two weeks ago swimming received an allocated investment of €400,000 for 2009 from the Irish Sports Council.
This year’s focus will be on the World Championships, World Student Games, European Junior Championships and European Youth Olympic Games.
Before his official start Banks will attend next month’s Irish Long Course National Swimming Championships at the National Aquatic Centre, Dublin from April 16th-19th.
"I am really excited to be a part of Irish Swimming again, especially at a time when Irish Swimming is showing great promise for the future," said Banks.