Olympian takes up school coaching role

Former Olympian Mihai Mandache has been appointed as the new head coach of Georgiana Molloy Anglican School swimming club, bringing a wealth of swimming knowledge, experience and professionalism with her.

Mandache's lengthy first-class career boasts personal swimming accolades including competing for Romania in the 1980 Moscow Olympics in the 100m and 200m backstroke events, as well as winning medals at significant international swim meets.

He has been credited with being instrumental in guiding members of his former New Zealand swim club to achieving outstanding results at the New Zealand National Junior Championships and New Zealand Age Group Championships.

Mandache held his previous head coach position for a decade and recent results include leading five of his high-performance swimmers to victory at the NZ National Championships.

"I aim to create not only great swimmers but great people, who will go on to apply their goal-setting skills and training discipline, to everyday life experiences," he said.

Club president Kate Griffiths and the committee were delighted to secure a professional of Mandache's stature as head coach.

She said she believed he would be a valuable addition to the club, providing strong leadership and mentoring at an integral point in its development.

Mandache will be coaching the performance and senior squads as well as overseeing the coaching of all other club squads.