British Olympic coach David McNulty has been appointed to develop a new swimming programme at the new 50m Sunderland Aquatic Centre.

McNulty, who is currently preparing a squad of British athletes bound for Beijing Olympic Games, will take up the position of Beacon Programme Head Coach at Sunderland in September.

And McNulty is hoping swimmers in the North East will look to Sunderland as an opportunity to develop their talent as the programme will provide a world-class training environment and clear pathway for progression.

McNulty has been appointed by Sunderland City Council to lead the Beacon Programme which is a nationwide asa/Sport England initiative to provide high performance environments for the development of swimmers, coaches and support staff, while covering the pathway from learn to swim through to international level.

The programme will be based at the new 50m, 10-lane Sunderland Aquatic Centre and will be part of City of Sunderland ASC. It will be supported by a state of the art gym and will offer a high performance swimming programme looking towards 2012 and beyond.

McNulty is excited about the opportunity that Sunderland will provide not only for himself but for the many talented swimmers within the region.

“This Beacon Club programme based at the new pool in Sunderland is a fantastic opportunity for the development of swimmers in the North East,” said McNulty.

“Sunderland is about to implement a world-class daily training environment and we want to see as many talented young swimmers involved as possible.

“It’s a wonderful facility and will provide a one-stop shop in terms of services for the athletes from coaching to sports science, from strength and conditioning to nutrition. It will set a new standard for swimming training provision in the area and I’m sure swimmers will want to be part of it.”

McNulty, 38, has strong roots in the North East having been born in County Durham where he spent much of his career working towards becoming a leading international coach.

Next month, McNulty will go to his second Olympics as part of Team GB and he’s also coached medallists at World, European and Commonwealth level since 2001.

One aspect of this programme will be to provide support to all of the high performing swimmers and coaches within the North East region and Head of Talent Development with the asa Nick Sellwood is confident McNulty will be a real asset to the programme.

"We are delighted with David’s appointment as he is a truly world-class coach with lots of positive energy and has a real passion for the North East region,” said Sellwood.

"The Beacon Programmes the asa are introducing across England will have a positive impact on improving provision for swimmers, coaches, teachers and support staff in our preparations for 2012 and beyond, and Sunderland is at the very start of this.”

McNulty is currently based at Loughborough University where he is coaching six athletes who will be heading to Beijing next month.

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For further details contact Dave Richards, the asa Media Manager, on 01509 632237, 0778 992 6136 or email dave.richards@swimming.org

The Amateur Swimming Association is the English National Governing Body for Swimming, Diving, Water Polo, Open Water, and Synchronised Swimming. It organises competition throughout England, establishes the Laws of the Sport and operates comprehensive certification and education programmes for Teachers, Coaches and Officials as well as its renowned Learn To Swim Awards scheme. The asa supports 1,220 affiliated swimming clubs through a National/Regional/County structure. The asa aims to ensure everybody has an opportunity to learn to swim.

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