Olympic swimming coach Ben Higson is returning to his coaching alma mater at the University of Stirling to take up the role as the high-performance programme's Head Coach following Steven Tigg's recent appointment as new Aquatics GB Swimming Head Coach.

The news was released in official statements from Aquatics GB, the University of Stirling and the Western Australian Institute of Sport (WAIS), extracts from which can be read below.

Higson was part of the Team GB Olympic coaching team that oversaw a return of six medals from the Rio 2016 Games, having played a crucial role in building and implementing the programme at Stirling that has gone on to deliver continued success for Aquatics GB at the sport's top levels.

He will return to the UK from his position as Head Coach of the Western Australian Institute of Sport (WAIS) swimming programme - a role that took him to this summer's Olympic Games in Paris with the Australian team - having also spent four years as Swim Ireland's National Head Coach following his departure from Stirling in 2017.

On his new appointment, Higson said:

"I am privileged to be appointed Head Coach at the University of Stirling and to follow on from the success the programme has experienced under Steven Tigg. Alongside his coaching team, they have created a world-class environment for athletes to consistently achieve international honours.

"I look forward to working with the athletes and staff to build on these achievements through a collaborative approach that enhances the swimming programme's contribution on the international stage."

Aquatics GB Performance Director Chris Spice added:

"We are very excited that Ben is returning to poolside here in the UK, and we know he is going to have a fantastic impact on what is already a hugely successful programme at the University of Stirling.

"Ben was a key part of our coaching team at the Rio Olympic Games and led Aquatics GB athletes to fantastic results at Olympic, World Championship and European level during his previous time with Stirling. We are also looking forward to seeing the valuable experience he has gained in subsequent roles in Ireland and Australia since then."

David Bond, Head of Performance Sport at the University of Stirling, said:

“We are delighted to bring a coach of Ben’s calibre back to the University of Stirling. Having previously led the high-performance swimming programme at Stirling, he is no stranger to the environment, and his subsequent experiences at the highest levels of the sport will give him a strong foundation for success. We look forward to welcoming him back as we seek to push the boundaries of success even further.”

A record seven Stirling-based swimmers were part of the GB Olympic swimming team this year - with Duncan Scott and Jack McMillan part of the history-making Men's 4x200m Freestyle Relay victory, and Scott also adding his eighth Olympic medal with 200m Individual Medley silver. Tokyo 2020 Olympic gold medallist Kathleen Dawson, Katie Shanahan, Lucy Hope, Keanna MacInnes and Angharad Evans all also competed in Paris.

Speaking about Higson’s return to Stirling, Scottish Swimming National Coach Ian Wright said:

“As the National Coach for Scottish Swimming, I am absolutely delighted to welcome Ben Higson back to the University of Stirling. Ben’s return marks a significant moment, as he brings invaluable international experience from his successful tenures with Swim Ireland in Dublin and at WAIS, Perth, Western Australia.

“Having worked closely with Ben when we were both part of the London Roar ISL team, I have seen first-hand his ability to inspire and lead elite athletes at the highest level. His previous work at Stirling helped shape the programme’s legacy of excellence, and I am confident that his return will only strengthen this.

“Leading athletes such as Duncan Scott, Katie Shanahan, and Kathleen Dawson, who are already familiar with Ben’s coaching style, will undoubtedly be excited to work with him again and build on their successes under his guidance. His experience, knowledge, and passion for developing talent make him the perfect fit to drive the University of Stirling and Scottish Swimming forward, and we eagerly anticipate the positive impact his leadership will bring.”

As Higson prepares to return to Britain, plaudits flowed Down Under. Matt Fulton, CEO of WAIS, said Higson would leaves behind "a lasting legacy", adding:

"His expertise and influence have been profound to WAIS athlete’s development, and has had a pivotal impact on our swimming program.

“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. He said:

“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. In plaudits for the Australian program, He noted:

“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. 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."