The BSCA congratulates their Chairman Jon Rudd on his recent appointment as National Performance Director of Swim Ireland.
Jon has had a fantastic impact on swimming in Great Britain for almost 30 yrs, having developed Plymouth Leander into the swimming power-house club that it is today, coaching such fantastic athletes as Ruta Meilutyte, Ben Proud, Antony James and Cassie Patten to International success, as well as many Top Club awards.
Due to this well-deserved appointment, Jon has made the decision to step down as the Chairman of the BSCA as of 31st January after almost 4 successful years in the role. Russ Barber will take on role as Acting Chair until a formal appointment is made.
We would like to put on record the fantastic contribution that Jon has made to the BSCA over these past years as Chairman, and the many years of service before that. Jon leaves his post with the association in a very healthy position, with over 1000 members and a very exciting future.
Jon said, “I have been most honoured to lead the BSCA through these recent years and I have been very proud of what we have achieved, what we have challenged, what change we have instigated and, at times and when necessary, what feathers we have ruffled. To be a member of the BSCA (which I will of course continue to be) is a special thing, a coaching community of like-minded people where we look after the person first and the coach second. In high performance sport these days, this is often missing and our humanistic approach to coaches and coaching is a breath of fresh air in an often cruel world of 21st century coaching. I have thrived on working with Brian McGuinness and Russ Barber during this time and I am fully confident that Russ will ensure this ship is on an even keel through to our elections in September of this year.”
BSCA Executive Director Brian McGuinness states, ”Stepping into this role and filling the shoes of someone so internationally renowned as Terry Denison MBE was always going to be difficult but Jon has done just that and taken the Association forward massively. It has been a pleasure & an honour to have worked with him in this role and can assure our colleagues in Ireland that they have a positive force coming their way and much to look forward to. We wish Jon all the very best of luck across the Irish Sea.”
Acting Chair Russ Barber is Director of Performance at the City of Sheffield Swim Squad, and has been an active member of the BSCA for over 15 years. Russ is a 3x Olympic coach and over the past 25 years has placed swimmers on all major International teams, including coaching Max Litchfield to a silver at the recent FINA World Short Championships and 4th at the Rio Olympic Games.
A decision upon a new BSCA Vice Chairman will be made in due course.
News courtesy of BSCA.