As we look ahead to Tokyo 2021, we are delighted to support Swimming Australia’s appointment of Victoria’s own Rohan Taylor as the new Australian Dolphins Head Coach to lead Australia into its Olympic campaign.
Taylor will take the reins from current Head Coach, Jacco Verhaeren at the end of September following Verhaeren’s decision to return to his home country of the Netherlands for family reasons.
As the current State Head Coach (Victoria and Tasmania), Taylor has worked closely with Verhaeren and the Dolphins swim team as its Coach Leader. Swimming Australia CEO, Leigh Russell said Taylor was well placed to step into Verhaeren’s shoes and take the team through to Tokyo.
“I know Rohan is primed to lead the way on the revised journey to Tokyo having worked closely with Jacco over a number of campaigns,” Russell said.
“His passion and commitment for our athletes, coaches and staff is apparent to everyone who works with him. He has our full support and will work closely with Jacco during the next few months to make the transition as seamless as possible.”
Taylor, the Olympic coach of gold medal swimmer Leisel Jones and former Nunawading Coaching Director, said he was honoured to take up the role guiding the Dolphins through to Tokyo.
“Firstly, I would like to thank Jacco for his friendship and leadership over the past six years. I have been privileged to work as a team coach under him for numerous campaigns and I wish him and his family all the best,” said Taylor.
“Jacco has laid the groundwork for our Olympic campaign and I have worked closely with him and our Olympic leadership team, so believe I am well placed to see those plans through and lead our team to success in Tokyo next year.”
Swimming Victoria CEO, Jason Hellwig is delighted with the appointment. “Rohan is a fantastic coach and high-performance leader. He is ready for the National role and will do an outstanding job. He has been instrumental in his role as Victorian State Head Coach and we are excited for the opportunity that this now presents for our next wave of coaches. We look forward to working with Swimming Australia to fill the Victorian role that Rohan’s appointment creates and build on the great work that Rohan has done for Victorian swimming.” Hellwig said.
