Swim mentor Andrew Cowan crowned Sunshine Coast’s top sports coach of 2024

The Sunshine Coast has spoken and the region’s top sports coach can now be revealed after a mammoth voting poll. Read what he had to say and find out which local mentors rounds out the top 10.

Cooroy swimming coach Andrew Cowan. Picture: Patrick Woods.

The Sunshine Coast has spoken and the region’s top sports coach can now be revealed.

Cooroy Dolphins swim coach Andrew Cowan took out the 2024 title, polling 16 per cent of the votes.

The Sunshine Coast Daily compiled a list of 66 finalists to find out which Sunshine Coast sports coach was the most regarded star by clubs, fans, players, parents and the wider sporting community.

Cowan finished ahead of Luke Zeremes (Nambour Toads Rugby Union) and Jess Broadhurst (Caloundra Lighthouse Rugby Union).

After relocating to the Sunshine Coast from Central Queensland in 2005, Cowan continued his swim coach which he began 21 years ago as a 15-year-old.

Cooroy swimming coach Andrew Cowan. Picture: Patrick Woods.

The now 36-year-old runs his Cowan Taylor Aquatics business out of the Cooroy Dolphins Swimming Club and alongside his partner Georgina Taylor.

Cowan has also coached at Eumundi, Pomona, Mooloolah Valley, Gympie, Tewantin and various regional schools including Kandanga, Amamoor and Dagun.

“I teach babies, learn to swim, fitness classes, high performance and everything else in between,” he said.

“There’s two year-olds that start and go through the whole program but also adults around 60-years-old so it’s all ages and all abilities.

“Taking them through each step, showing them what they’re capable of, especially those kids terrified of water is really rewarding as it’s an invaluable life skill and something you can’t put into words with how rewarding it is.”

Cowan himself is still an active competitor in the water, holding a sixth place world ranking and a handful of Australian records in the masters divisions.

“I love it, I’ll swim until my arms give out,” he said.

“I think practising what you preach is pretty important as it gets you a different level of respect from the kids and people you teach.

Cooroy swimming coach Andrew Cowan. Picture: Patrick Woods.

“Growing up I was taught so many different things but in my role now it’s not necessarily the knowledge or the skills, it’s about how can I get this message across to this certain individual because everyone is different.

“I like a good challenge and there’s always a way to get to an end goal, it’s up to you to try everything possible until you get to that point.”

Cowan said he was thankful for everyone who voted for him as well as the overall support from the swimming community.

“You see these kids and their families day-in-day-out but when you get an accolade like this it puts into perspective how many people out there respect and value you among the community,” he said.

“It’s almost a reflection of what you’re doing so I must be doing something good.”

Sunshine Coast’s top 10 sports coaches of 2024

10 - Dave Edmonds (Hinterland Blues U13.5 mixed) & Stu Mackenzie (Nambour Crushers U12s)

9 - Sarah Green (Saints Netball Club)

8 - Jon Brienesse (Kawana Dolphins)

7 - Sam Miller (USC Barbarians U16s)

6 - Dan Robotham (Sunshine Coast Grammar School)

5 - Alexander Ollier (Little kickers Sunshine Coast)

4 - Dylan Larkins (Caloundra Lighthouse U13’s)

3 - Jess Broadhurst (Caloundra Lighthouse)

2 - Luke Zeremes (Nambour Toads)

1 - Andrew Cowan (Cooroy Dolphins)