James Magnussen inspires young Goulburn swimmers to go for gold

"I've never seen so many kids leave a training session with such a big smile on their faces," GASC vice president, James Douglas, summarised.

The visit was funded by a $3,000 donation from the Ray Harvey Sports Foundation.

Roughly 40 of the GASC's top junior swimmers took part in the clinic, which ran for three hours, before an additional session for the general public ran for another hour on Saturday.

Before his retirement in June of 2019, Magnussen represented Australia at two Olympic Games and claimed a silver and a bronze medal across both. The lessons he imparted to Goulburn's young swimmers, Douglas said, were invaluable.

"You couldn't measure the value it's given our kids," he said.

"The way he could relate to the nine or 10-year-olds all the way through to the 16-year-olds was really instrumental. I can see some improved results going forward.

"It was really positive, we've got a really strong junior half of the club, and it's good to get that coaching to those juniors early before they go on to senior swimming."

The juniors weren't the only ones to benefit from Magnussen's expertise. Some of the local coaches also gleaned valuable information during the seminar.

"Our coach is Ricky Edmonds from A Stroke Ahead Swimming, but even he got some great learning out of it as well," Douglas said.

"It was beneficial for him and some of his junior coaches."

Magnussen's insights extended beyond the technical points of swimming. The 29-year-old also spoke of the unique experiences and travel opportunities offered to him by swimming, which Douglas believes will help inspire the local youngsters.

"Knowing where sport in general can take you [is important]," he said.

"[Magnussen] talked about his experiences at the Commonwealth Games, his Olympic medals, and how swimming took him overseas. He also had the opportunity to go to an American college if he wanted to.

"It really opened up the eyes of these young Goulburn swimmers, knowing that you can travel the world for swimming."

Douglas thanked the council and all community organisations and businesses who played a part in ensuring the clinic went ahead.

"We're very grateful to the Goulburn Mulwaree Council, the Ray Harvey Sports Foundation, Woolworths Goulburn - who sponsored our breakfast for the day - and A Stroke Ahead Swimming," Douglas said.

"We had a lot of support from the local community and local businesses."

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