MONTREAL – Savannah King, an assistant coach with the McGill University swim team, is serving as a key mentor for a new initiative launched by Swimming Canada to provide five Canadian female coaches with an invaluable opportunity to gain hands-on experience at the 2024 World Aquatics short-course championships in Budapest, Hungary, Dec. 10-15. This initiative aims to elevate coaching strategies through mentorship, race analysis, and immersive learning.
 
King, a two-time Olympian and Pan American Games medallist, transitioned two years ago from elite athlete to accepting a full-time position as part of the McGill swim team coaching staff under the guidance of head coach Peter Carpenter.
 
"In 2021, I had the opportunity to see the world championships from a coach's perspective, which was invaluable," said King in a Swimming Canada announcement. "I had been on the national team as an athlete, but this experience showed me all the preparation that goes into these events.
 
"For a few of the coaches in this program, it will be their first time at a meet of this level, and I want to make that experience as exciting and comfortable as possible for them. I'm here to provide whatever support they need—whether it's advice, guidance, or just being a sounding board."
 
King, who was a coach at the 2021 Marathon World Series alongside that year's world short course championships in Abu Dhabi,  is optimistic about the increasing presence of female coaches in the sport.
 
"I have certainly seen a shift in the representation of female coaches at provincial and national events, especially since my years of being an athlete. I believe we still have a ways to go to see the representation needed at the top levels, but initiatives like this are allowing coaches to develop the skills and knowledge necessary to be able to hold top positions in our sport. I am seeing many women getting involved in different learning and development opportunities, so the desire is there. I think you'll see even more female coaches at all levels of the sport in the years to come."
 
Before the upcoming world championships, the coaches will participate in a series of virtual sessions designed to prepare them for the competition. These pre-competition meetings will feature discussions with leading Canadian coaches and experts, including Linda Kiefer (Olympic coach), Mandy Bell (HPC-Vancouver assistant coach), Meena Sharif (National lead – strength and conditioning), and Ryan Mallette (Olympic head coach). These sessions will provide valuable insights and strategies to help the coaches maximize their learning and impact during the championships.
 
The coaches will observe top-level competition, analyze races, and engage in one-on-one mentorship, refining their strategies and learning from the best in the field. After the event, each coach will reflect on their experience, sharing key takeaways through reports and presentations that will help improve their home programs.
 
The five coaches selected for this program include Jy Lawrence of the Pacific Seawolves in South Surrey, B.C., Mikala Tyrell of the Dartmouth Crusaders in Nova Scotia, Sarah Rudolf of the UBC Thunderbirds, Sarah Steinke of the Uxbridge Swim Club in Ontario and Haylie Burton from the University of Calgary Swim Club.
 
SOURCE:

Simone Cseplo
Swimming Canada

and

Earl Zukerman
Sports Information Officer
Athletics & Recreation
McGill University
TEL:514-398-7012
E-MAIL: earl.zukerman@mcgill.ca