The new wave of Australian swimmers faces an immediate resilience test at the world titles, head coach Rohan Taylor says.<\/p>\n
Taylor is overseeing a Dolphins team with a near-quarter of debutants, plus five new coaches, at the championships starting on Sunday in Singapore.<\/p>\n
“We don’t have a footy game every week, we go once this year,” Taylor said.<\/p>\n
“So we have got to make sure that they get the experience.<\/p>\n
“Next year we will have a multiple competitions that they will be exposed to.<\/p>\n
“But the first one is the one that will test their resilience.”<\/p>\n
Proven performers and gold-medal winners including Kaylee McKeown, Kyle Chalmers, Cam McEvoy and Mollie O’Callaghan form a core of a team including 10 world championship rookies including 16-year-old breaststroker Sienna Toohey.<\/p>\n
And the 10-strong coaching team under Swimming Australia’s head coach Taylor has been revamped after last year’s Paris Olympics with five fresh faces.<\/p>\n
Taylor was impressed with integration of the newcomers at the Dolphins’ camp in Darwin before arriving in Singapore.<\/p>\n
“Having new people come in \u2014 a quarter of the team, half the coaching staff \u2014 they slotted in really well, it was really nice to see. That is the first step,” he said.<\/p>\n
“The second step will be when they get into competition, obviously anything can happen.<\/p>\n
“It’s going to be how they manage themselves, manage the ups and downs that come with it.<\/p>\n
“We have had a pretty consistent group of coaches and athletes over the last cycle that we worked with. This is just a new test for us as a leadership.”<\/p>\n
The titles were vital for Taylor’s plans for the ultimate goal, the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.<\/p>\n
“I want to be able to look at the next three years to ensure we’re working on all the key things for LA,” he said.<\/p>\n