WYRE Forest have announced that John Dougall has been appointed as head coach for the start of next season, following the recent recruitment process.

Dougall, a UKCC level three coach, arrives with an impressive set of credentials and has been coaching full-time since 2006.

He said “My aim is to create an environment that will inspire all swimmers to achieve their goals within the sport.

“I want to make a strong club stronger, to engage all stages of development within this club, allowing success to become inevitable.”

The club’s new man was part of a coaching team that helped Daniel Sliwinski break the British record for 100 metre breaststroke in 2009.

Dougall is currently head coach at Aquae Sulis Performance SC based at Bath University, but will be take up his position of head at Wyre Forest later this month.

He has previously coached swimmers on to junior European teams and guided youngsters to national programmes.

He has also worked with top age group swimmers in 2007, coached European juniors in open water and worked on Scottish programmes while experiencing the British, English, Scottish, Welsh and New Zealand Championships.

He was also a former junior international and national and Scottish record holder, as well as holding various regional and county titles.

Wyre Forest chairman Nigel Elwell said: “John is aiming to create an environment that will inspire all swimmers to achieve their goals within the sport.

“This will make a strong club stronger, to engage all stages of development within it and allow success to become inevitable.

“The committee feels that John’s drive and enthusiasm matches our own ambitions.”