WAIS Swimming Program Head Coach departs role for coaching position in Scotland

Head coach of the Western Australian Institute of Sport (WAIS) Swimming Program, Ben Higson, will be leaving his role at the conclusion of the World Short Course Swimming Championships in Budapest.

WAIS and Swimming Australia have confirmed that Higson will be taking up a role as Head Coach at the University of Stirling in Scotland.

For Higson, the Scottish appointment is somewhat of a homecoming after having previously coached at Stirling from 2013-2017, and he will take the reins of Stirling’s acclaimed high-performance program.

The departure of Higson, who was on pool deck for Australia in Paris and coached two WAIS athletes (Iona Anderson and Josh Yong) on to the Dolphins’ Olympic team, is a great loss but he leaves with heartfelt and full thanks from both WAIS and Swimming Australia.

WAIS Chief Executive Matt Fulton, said Higson leaves behind a lasting legacy. His expertise and influence have been profound to WAIS athlete’s development, and has had a pivotal impact on our swimming program.

Fulton noted “Ben’s contribution to the WAIS Swimming Program has been nothing short of transformative. His leadership and commitment have not only elevated the athletes and program, but have re-positioned our swimming program as a key player on the national stage.

"We are deeply grateful for his time with us, and wish him all the best as he embarks on this exciting new chapter back home in Scotland.”

Australian head coach Rohan Taylor said Higson was an impressive coach with an equally impressive track record of developing internationally competitive swimmers as evidenced in Paris.

Taylor added “It is going to be difficult to see Ben Higson head back to the UK as he has done such a great job over the past two years with the WAIS program and has been heavily influential in the development of budding Dolphins Iona Anderson and Josh Yong, who made their Olympic debut in Paris.

“He has proved himself as a world-class coach and developed - and led - the WAIS program to become a destination program not just for athletes within Western Australia but also from interstate.”

Higson thanked WAIS and Swimming Australia for their support since he took up the WAIS head coaching position in 2022.

“There’s still a job to do in Budapest but it’s been an honour to work as Head Coach at WAIS and to make a contribution to Swimming Australia’s success,” he said.

“I can’t speak highly enough of the support that I have been shown in what is arguably the best swimming nation in the world. I am particularly proud to be part of Josh and Iona’s journey, they are two superstars born and bred in WA and to make the Olympic team at such a young age is a unique opportunity for them. But after Budapest a new challenge awaits, and I feel privileged to be appointed Head Coach at the University of Stirling.

Image. Ben Higson with WA Olympic Swim Team. Credit: WAIS