Forward January 2019 | Page 8

AROUND THE SCHOOL STAFF PROFILE Introducing Andras Jo-Kovacs Sport Development Co-ordinator – Aquatics You may have noticed a recent change to our Learn to Swim program and the swimming program in general across the School and Andras just might have something to do with that! polo. From 2014-2018 he was invited to be the assistant coach of the Australian Youth National Men’s Team and prepared the squad for international events, including the World Championships earlier last year. Andras Jo-Kovacs joined the School last year as the Sport Development Co-ordinator – Aquatics, and is responsible for all aspects of the School’s aquatics program. Andras is himself an accomplished swimmer, first entering the pool at 4 years of age. He is a professional water polo player and represented Hungary in the sport. One of his personal role models is Katinka Hosszu, a Hungarian swimmer who just earned her 400th medal in international swimming. Andras has had an extensive career in aquatic sports, including eight years as a professional water polo athlete in Hungary. He has coached at school, state, national and international levels. Before coming to Guildford Grammar School, Andras worked at the Western Australian Institute of Sports (WAIS) in the men’s water polo program, with responsibility for swimming and the technical aspects of water “2018 was an exciting year at Guildford Grammar School and I am very pleased to have been part of it. The opportunity to broaden the scope of the existing swimming program and work on building an inclusive aquatic culture for the school really appealed to me. I plan to develop a culture where Andras’ 5 tops of a successful swimmer 1. Positive work ethic 2. Attitude for application 3. Discipline to work towards whatever motivates you to be in the pool Prize Giving 8 4. Positive body language – this is your main form of communication and speaks volumes 5. Coachability Andras Jo-Kovacs. everyone can be passionate about water sports, whatever their motivation. We have already reinvigorated the Learn to Swim program, which started on 15 October, and we recently launched the Swim @ GGS program across the Senior School. We will continue to focus on the quality of our coaches to ensure our programs allow for personal excellence at all levels.” You can find out more about the Learn to Swim program on Page 24. The Senior School Prize Giving Ceremony was held on the last evening of the school year on the Chapel Lawn. Our congratulations to all prize winners and award recipients.