Redman will be in charge of creating and implementing a coach development plan for British Swimming to help the governing body meets its world-class performance programme targets.

The 49-year-old joins British Swimming from the Rugby Football Union (RFU) where he held a similar position and helped to develop international coaches across all national teams.

"Nigel was the outstanding candidate for the elite coach development manager post and we are very pleased to welcome him to our ranks," said British Swimming's national performance director Chris Spice.

"He brings vast knowledge and experience of high performance coach development across the UK sport system, where he has been widely regarded for some time.

"To be able to attract such a high-calibre professional to the British Swimming world class programme is both exciting and challenging.

"The elite coach development manager post is a key part of our restructure to invest in our current and future elite coaches so that we can achieve our aim of more medals on the world stage.

"We look forward to Nigel assisting our coaches to achieve those goals."

Michael Jamieson failed to build on his London 2012 silver medal by finishing outside the medal positions in Barcelona last year ©Getty Images



Redman's appointment comes at a time when British Swimming has seen its funding reduced by UK Sport after disappointing showings at London 2012 and last year's International Swimming Federation (FINA) World Championships.

At Beijing 2008, Britain won two gold medals and a bronze and the target was to beat this medal haul in London.

But a disappointing showing saw Rebecca Adlington fail to defend her two Olympic freestyle titles, making do with bronze in both events, while Michael Jamieson took silver in the 200 metre breaststroke.

At the 2013 World Championships in Barcelona, a solitary bronze medal for Fran Hallsall was the worst performance by a British team since Perth in 1998.

In November, the governing body announced that it was reducing its Podium and Potential Podium squad for 2014 down to 62 swimmers from 97 the previous year.

Following London 2012, Bill Furniss took over as British Swimming head coach from American Dennis Pursley while Spice was appointed national performance director, replacing Michael Scott who resigned from the post in November 2012.

Last August, Tim Jones, who led British Gymnastics to their most successful Olympic campaign at London 2012, was appointed as head of performance pathway by British Swimming.

Redman was part of the successful British and Irish Lions tour to South Africa in 1997
©Getty Images



Prior to his role with the RFU, Redman assisted in the development of UK Sport's Elite Coaching Apprenticeship Programme (ECAP) as a member of both the delivery team and the Elite Coach Steering Group.

"I'm thrilled and excited to be joining British Swimming," said Redman, who won 20 international caps for England as lock and played on the successful Lions' Tour to South Africa in 1997.

"I've been involved with a number of Olympic sports over the last six years and this role will provide a great opportunity to work more in depth with British Swimming, which I'm really looking forward to.

"We've got some terrific people both in the pool and on the poolside and I can't wait to get started and support them."

Redman is due take up his new role next Monday (February 10).

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


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