THE search for Singapore's swimming head coach is over. The hot seat has gone to former Olympian Ang Peng Siong.

The 46-year-old will head the newly-formed High Performance Team (HPT), which includes American Carol Capitani (assistant head coach), Wen Xinlong (high-performance director) and Aloysius Yeo (high-performance manager).

Who's doing what Ang Peng Siong (National head coach) Responsible for coordinating and planning High Performance Team's policies, training strategies and national objectives. ... more

The appointments come after a lengthy search, which saw the Singapore Swimming Association (SSA) target the likes of former Australia and Britain head coach Bill Sweetenham.

Incidentally, the 59-year-old was also announced as part of the new set-up on Monday - albeit as technical adviser.

Said SSA secretary-general Oon Jin Gee: 'This was an idea we envisioned in mid-2004, and having Peng Siong as our first national head coach is the result of this plan.'

Ang, who helped groom former national swimmers such as Mark Chay and Christel Bouvron and current national swimmer Bryan Tay, has signed a four-year contract. Capitani is contracted with the SSA for two years.

On Ang's appointment, SSA vice-president (swimming) Grace Cheong said: 'Peng Siong has all the right attributes for success and to be a great leader for this team. Taking up this national calling shows his passion for Singapore.'

Said Ang: 'We have a strong team here, coaches with knowledge and expertise. I see my role as leading the team to achieve success at major competitions.'

Part of the HPT's role is to raise the standard of coaching in Singapore and set national objectives for major competitions, such as the Asian, Commonwealth and Olympic Games.

While Ang will lead the team at the major meets, there will be opportunities for other coaches at other events.

Read the full story in today's edition of The Straits Times.