Deryk Sydney Snelling (22 July 1933 – 4 September 2021) was a British swimming coach, from Lancashire.
Early life
editHe was the eldest of five children of Sydney Snelling and Edith Taylor. His father owned many grocery stores and other businesses.[1]
He completed his national service from 1952 to 1954 with the Lancashire Fusiliers, where he discovered a liking for swimming coaching.
Career
editSouthampton
editHe formed a swimming club in Southampton in 1960. By 1962 he was the head of swimming for Southampton Education Committee, and with Southampton Swimming Club.[2]
At Southampton he coached David Haller (swimmer).[3]
Canada
editHe started coaching in Canada in October 1967 for Swimming Canada.[4] He was the head Olympic swimming coach of Canada three times, in 1972, 1976, and 1992. He coached a Canadian university swimming team from 1980 to 1996.
British Swimming technical director
editHe was the first UK technical director of swimming in July 1996, with a four-year contract, when he was aged 62.[5]
At the 2000 Summer Olympics in Australia, the GB swimming team did not pick up any medals, whatsoever; this was the first time that that had happened for the GB Olympic swimming team since 1936, at the Olympics in Germany.
He was succeeded in November 2000 by the Australian coach Bill Sweetenham.
Personal life
editHe married Laura on 14 March 1955, her 21st birthday. He returned to live in Canada after the 2000 Summer Olympics.
His wife died on 5 March 2020. He died in September 2021, aged 88, in Nanoose Bay.
References
edit- ^ Anson, John (18 June 2019). "The Darwen swimming prodigy who achieved Olympic glory". Lancashire Telegraph. Retrieved 18 January 2024.
- ^ Birmingham Daily Post Wednesday 16 August 1967, page 20
- ^ The Scotsman Tuesday 11 January 1966, page 16
- ^ Birmingham Daily Post Wednesday 11 October 1967, page 30
- ^ Birmingham Daily Post Wednesday 10 July 1996, page 19