JAMES Magnussen has new faces in his camp as his World Championship and Olympic campaigns hit top gear.
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The Port Macquarie product has enlisted another couple of our former residents – brothers Mitch and Lach Falvey – as his coaches.
The pair are excited and up for the challenge of coaching one of the world’s best swimmers, and have jumped head first into the role.
They are working Magnussen hard, building up his endurance as the big events loom.
The Falveys met the Missile a couple of years ago on the pool deck, and both camps have kept in contact, keenly watching the other’s progress.
Magnussen rang them after splitting with former coach Brant Best in September.
The Falveys were initially employed on a trial basis, but have since taken over fulltime.
Magnussen is the first big-name swimmer in the Falveys’ short coaching career, but the pair have plenty of coaching experience, despite their young ages. Lach cut his teeth as an assistant at Carlile Swimming Club at Narrabeen, working under head coach Justin Rothwell.
“I learned a lot from him,” he said.
He has also coached at Knox Grammar School. Mitch was the assistant coach at Pymble Ladies College. Now the pair are based at Ravenswood School for Girls.
Mitch said the students are enjoying having Magnussen at their school.
“It’s a great opportunity for them to have a role model,” he said. “And he’s always happy to sign an autograph or have a picture taken.”
Magnussen was also excited to work with the Falveys. He looked forward to the new approach they would bring to his preparation.
“New ideas, new environments and a drive to take further steps forward in my career, to find the small incremental improvements that can assist me with the goals I have set for 2015 and 2016,” he said.