‘A holistic approach’: Olympian Geoff Huegill sets out to mentor the next generation of elite swimmers

Olympic gold is the dream of many aspiring Aussie swimmers, but national icon Geoff Huegill is setting out to show why life after sport is even more important.

Olympian Geoff Huegill swimmer will run swim clinics in Mackay and Townsville. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

By his own admission, Geoff Huegill’s life as a professional athlete has had its “ups and downs,” but now he’s setting out to channel those challenging times for good, as he’ll be in Mackay and Townsville in the coming weeks to help mentor the next generation of budding swimmers.

From winning medals at world championships and Olympics, to missing the cut for the 2006 Commonwealth Games while battling with depression and struggling for motivation before making a triumphant comeback to the pool in 2010, Huegill has well and truly experienced the best and the worst of what being an elite swimmer has to offer.

And in the coming days, scores of the best swimmers regional Queensland has to offer will be given the opportunity to learn from a man who has been there and done that, but his key message won’t only be about how to be successful in the pool.

Geoff Huegill in action during his own swimming career.

“We’re taking a holistic approach, recognising that not everyone will be able - or even wants - to become an Olympic athlete,” Huegill said.

“But the things you learn through sports are applicable to the wider world, teamwork, discipline, battling through adversity, all those are important life skills.

“Whether you’re looking at going to uni or buying your first home or car, having the right mindset and setting goals toward achieving that is a skill you can learn through sports.”

Huegill said while swimming can produce a career as a professional athlete in itself, his message to those who attend the clinic will be that they can leverage their athletic potential to find a career elsewhere.

“Playing sport is an enabler for other opportunities, to can help you to get an education,” he said.

“We see a lot of kids dropping out of sport as they hit 16-17 and other parts of their lives become more prominent, I’m trying to show them that they can still use those talents they possess to help them on a different path.”

As for why he is electing to host his clinics in Mackay and Townsville rather than a larger city, Huegill said he is “passionate” about connecting with regional areas.

“It’s not every day that kids in the countryside get exposure to elite athletes, and there’s a lot of talent in regional areas that deserves to be tapped into.”