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Experienced coach looking for best FISU Games results

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Photo Credit: Richard Lam

Swimming Canada has selected Derrick Schoof as Head Coach for the 2019 FISU Summer Universiade Games in Naples, Italy.

The assistant coach of the UBC Thunderbird Swim Team, was chosen from a group of candidates through a nationwide application process.

“I’m very excited about the opportunity,” said the Vancouver native. “This will be my 4th FISU Games.”

Schoof has previous experience coaching on the international stage, including the 2003, 2005, and 2007 World Universiade Games, the 2008 World Championships (25m), 2009 World Championships (50m), 2010 Pan Pacific Championships, and the 2014 Jr Pan Pacific Championships.

Schoof says he’ll use his level of experience and his matter of fact way of coaching to help the athletes succeed at the games.

“My main goal is for these athletes to compete and get lifetime personal best times and performances,” he said. “It’s a great opportunity to get these athletes prepared to make future national teams.”

Schoof has coached many Senior National team athletes throughout his years of coaching. These athletes include Lauren Lavigna, Matt Hawes, Jordan Hartney, Kier Maitland, Richard Funk, Ashton Baumann, Tabitha Baumann, and Paralympian Donovan Tildesley.

Swimming at the Universiade Games is set for July 4-11 in Naples. Canada will select its team at the 2019 U Sport Championships February 21-23 in Vancouver and the Canadian Swimming Trials April 3-7 in Toronto. University swimmers born between and including, January 1, 1994 and December 31, 2001 who are not selected to the FINA World Championships or World Junior Championships will be eligible for the team.

“It’s a great learning opportunity for them to go through a games experience and to have the honour of representing Canada,” said Schoof. “I want these athletes to get the most out of the experience and to have fun.”