ASAJ APPOINTS JACKIE WALTER AS SWIMMING TECHNICAL DIRECTOR

August 31, 2005

The Amateur Swimming Association of Jamaica (ASAJ) has appointed Jackie Walter to the position of Swimming Technical Director and National Coach effective September 1^st, 2005. This is the first time that the Swimming Association has hired a full time Swimming Technical Director. Coach Walter’s three year contract will end after the 2008 Olympic Games.

Walter has represented Jamaica as a swimmer and first held the position of National Coach in 1984 at the Caribbean Island Swimming Championships held in Trinidad. The position of Technical Director has four (4) core responsibilities; Managing the National Swim Squad; Coaches development; Clubs development and enhancing local competitions through foreign swimming participation.

As Manager of the National Squad, Coach Walter will develop and oversee training plans for local based National Squad swimmers and co-ordinate with the coaches of overseas based elite swimmers to ensure that Jamaica’s interests are included in their planning.

Walter’s plans for Coaches development include the implementation of a Jamaican Swim Coaches Certification programme, Learn to Swim coaches training through SwimJamaica, and training programmes for students attending institutions such as G.C Foster and UTECH. Local swim clubs are expected to benefit from regular education seminars and visits by Coach Walter to the clubs training sessions.

Coach Walter will be based at the National Stadium Pool.