A FORMER England and British Lions rugby player from Weston has landed a key coaching role in an Olympic sport.

Nigel Redman, who began his rugby career at Weston RFC, has been appointed elite coach development manager for swimming.

The new job has been designed to help British Swimming meet its performance targets by raising standards through a coach development programme.

Redman, aged 49, started his new role on Monday. He said: “My first day was excellent and I’m very much looking forward to starting.

“I have always thought it was a blue chip sport and I was fascinated by the coaching of it. The opportunity came up and I am glad to say I was successful at the interview.”

Redman held a similar position within the England RFU where he helped develop international coaches.

He said: “For me it is about how we can develop coaches to improve athletic performance.

“We can do that through observation, peer assessment and identifying what looks good.

“It’s a similar process we use across different sports. My background in rugby helps, because it has allowed me to look at how teams are formed and work with different characters.”

Chris Spice, national performance director for British Swimming said: “Nigel was the outstanding candidate for the elite coach development manager post and we are very pleased to welcome him to our ranks.”