Video: Jerry Olszewski planning better future for New Zealand swimmers

Jerry-Olszewski
Jerry-Olszewski

New Zealand national swimming coach Jerry Olszewski has been in the job for two months, and he has spent most of his time planning a better future for New Zealand's elite swimmers.

Swimming New Zealand has gone through a number of reviews over the past four years, and changes have been made.

"I've spent 12-, 13-, 14-hour days planning the next four years, setting up a national team that we don't have to go back in three years and try to change again because it's not working," said Olszewski.

But Commonwealth Games gold medallist and two-time Olympian Moss Burmester believes there's still room for improvement.

"I think it comes down to the lack of leadership," said Burmester.

"I just think there's a massive communication issue between Swimming New Zealand and the swimmers there and actually going to the swimmers and asking them what do they want."

Olszewski, who coached at top club level in the US for more than 25 years, says he's already opened the lines of communication with the swimmers and he's intent on showing the leadership needed, especially when it comes to the coaching culture.

"We just need somebody who's going to be the leader and show some direction," said Olszewski.

"I think that's been lacking in the past, and somebody who wants to connect with those coaches and wants to make them part of the whole programme instead of isolating the national team and club system.

"When I'm done with my tenure here I want to leave a legacy where somebody else can come in where I was and everything's put in place."

Newshub.