05.09.2012

Aussie Sharks Olympic coaching staff member Andrew Yanitsas has been appointed head coach of the Australian Born ’96 youth men’s squad.

Yanitsas will take the reins for the European tour next year and the 2014 FINA World Youth Championships.

The former UNSW Killer Whales and now current UNSW Wests Magpies head coach will bring a wealth of experience to the role, including positions held at the 2012 London Olympic Games and the 2011 World University Games in Shenzhen.  

Yanitsas' first assignment will be at the 16 & Under National Championships in Brisbane in October where he will start grooming Australia's next crop of future champions.

“I’m looking forward to my appointment and taking this group of players from the under 16’s to under 18’s,” Yanitsas said.

“I will select the squad with an eye to the 2014 world youth championships but also to the development of these players for future Australian squads.”

Yanitsas joined forces with John Fox, Paul Oberman and Frank Otto to deliver Australia a seventh place finish in London and said he will use that experience to guide his troops to future success.

“The Olympics was a great learning curve for me and I was able to see how the best international teams operate in and out of the water,” he said.

“I’m hoping to utilise those observations and mix it with my own style to create a highly successful outfit.”

Yanitsas will announce an updated Born ’96 squad in the weeks following the 16 & under national championships, before holding a training camp in December and January.