Casey set to out-Fox opponents

By Marc McGowan
NEW Casey TigerSharks assistant coach James Fox has arrived in Victoria enthusiastic about continuing the swimming club’s surge in the pool.
The 18-year-old won a gold medal in the 10-kilometre event at the Australian Age Open Water Championships last year and went into retirement on winning the Victorian Age Open Water Championships five weeks ago.
Fox, who lives in Narre Warren South, also won a 2007 Prime Minister’s Award for Skills Excellence for being the highest-achieving student in the services industry.
Despite his incredible achievements in the sport, Fox could not knock back the opportunity to be involved in the TigerSharks program on a two-year contract.
“It took me over 18 months to really make the decision to retire, but I knew I’d made a good one when I got on board with the Casey TigerSharks, who are one of the best up-and-coming clubs in Australia,” he said.
Fox will be responsible for the junior and state squads at Casey, while also working alongside head coach Ben Hiddlestone with the development squad.
“We’re stoked that James has joined us,” Hiddlestone said.
“We’ve been using a lot of part-time swim coaches since (previous assistant coach Anthony Coulson left in May).
“It’s very hard these days to find a quality coach, so we were happy to wait … James’ appointment will help me focus on the senior ones a bit more.”
Fox swam for Clovercrest in South Australia before gaining a part-time coaching position with the country’s third-ranked club, Norwood, in 2005.
His decision to switch to Casey was about furthering his mentoring ambitions, which he hopes will see him become a head coach within five years.
For now, Fox is focused on improving the TigerSharks’ standing in swimming circles.
“I think we can become a force in Victoria to be reckoned with,” he said.
“The numbers are growing and the club’s progressing at a dramatic rate.”
Hiddlestone is just as excited about what the partnership could mean for the club.
“James helped me coach half a session and once I saw him on pool deck, he had a big voice and good control of a bunch of kids,” he said.
“He really showed the skills to convey a message and help the kids really excel at what they’re doing in the water.
“With James and I on board – the ‘dynamic duo’ – we’ll see what we can do in the next 12 months with these kids.”