The Singapore Swimming Association (SSA) is confident of appointing a new national diving coach by April, to ensure that their athletes' preparations for the Asian Games are not affected by the impending departure of national trainer Shannon Roy.
The governing body "has already kick-started the recruitment process" and "there will be minimal disruption for the divers" ahead of this August's Asiad, SSA vice-president (diving) William Lee said yesterday in response to The Straits Times' queries.
The SSA had announced on Wednesday night that Roy will step down when his contract ends after the April 4-15 Commonwealth Games, which take place on the Gold Coast.
The 1998 Commonwealth Games 3m springboard gold medallist was appointed in January 2016 to replace Canadian Xu Jie, who left in July 2015 after building up the national team from scratch.
Roy, 41, guided the Republic to its best-ever showing at the SEA Games last year, with a gold, seven silvers and four bronzes, beating 2015's high-water mark of three silvers and four bronzes.
The Australian said: "I am extremely proud of the results we achieved and the changes that were made. If these can be continued then there's every chance Singapore can be on the right track to making its mark in the diving world.
"I would like to thank the SSA for the opportunity to help improve the divers here in Singapore and wish them further success in the future."
Lee paid tribute to Roy, and said: "His understanding and usage of sports science, especially in strength and conditioning, has allowed for greater collaboration between SSA and the Singapore Sports Institute.
GOING OUT ON A HIGH
We want to do our best for Singapore, and to give him a good send-off.
MARK LEE, Singapore diver, on targeting a good showing for coach Shannon Roy's swansong.
"Shannon's expertise in planning has aided us in the creation of a multi-year development plan and enabled two Spex Scholars for our sport in Timothy and Mark Lee."
Singapore sent four divers to the 2014 Incheon Asian Games, where China swept all 10 titles, while Malaysia, South Korea, North Korea and Japan collected the rest of the medals.
While Singapore are unlikely to finish on the podium at the Aug 18-Sept 2 Asiad in Indonesia, the SSA had launched an ambitious five-year plan in 2016 to be among the top four aquatics nations in Asia.
Roy's final task will be to guide the Lee twins to compete in the 3m synchronised springboard event in Australia.
Mark, 23, said: "I'm in good shape for the Commonwealth Games and confident of a good showing. We want to do our best for Singapore, and to give him a good send-off."
