Predrag Mihailovic named as new Aussie Stingers Head Coach

Water Polo Australia has announced today that Predrag Mihailovic will be appointed as the National Women’s Head Coach to lead the Aussie Stingers into the future.

Starting in November, Mihailovic will step up from the National Women’s Assistant Coach role where he has been a key support figure to the Aussie Stingers since his appointment as assistant coach in 2013.

He brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the role as a successful coach with over 20 years’ experience. He also has a good understanding of the system in Australia through his current role as New South Wales Institute of Sport’s (NSWIS) Women’s Head Coach, responsible for the NSWIS Women’s high-performance program.

This year, Mihailovic’s successes as a head coach include claiming the bronze medal with the ACU Cronulla Sharks men’s team in the 2018 OVO Australian Waterpolo League competition and leading the Australian Women’s A team Japan tour in August to develop some of the country’s most promising female water polo players. Previously Milhailovic was a successful coach of multiple European clubs. 

He understands the daily challenges which face athletes and can translate this knowledge into a program which will influence positive outcomes for the Australian Women’s team.

WPA High Performance Manager Aleksandr Osadchuk said this appointment is critical to the successful implementation of the restructured high-performance strategy until the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games and beyond.

“We believe that Predrag has the perfect mix of international experience and expertise to ensure that our strategic philosophy as athlete focused, team centered performance culture is developed in the lead up to Tokyo Olympics and beyond. 

“Predrag is able to drive our focused approach supported by world class professional personnel through clear directions, guidelines, and collaboration with key stakeholders which will inevitably allow us to achieve desired outcome in Tokyo and build solid platform for many years to come.

“Predrag has been working within the Aussie Stingers program for many years and knows what we need to do in the remaining period leading into the next Olympic Games. 

“He will be able to reinforce the Aussie Stingers identity on the world stage to ensure that we are building a winning culture and developing role models for many generations to come,” said Osadchuk.  

NSWIS Chief Executive Officer, Professor Kevin Thompson backed his appointment as National Head Coach. 

“Over five years at NSWIS, Predrag has contributed significantly to the development of world class athletes within the women’s program,” he stated. “In fact, NSWIS scholarship holders represented over 60 percent of Australia’s bronze medal-winning 2018 World Cup team.”

"While he will be missed, his appointment as the National Head Coach is a positive one for the sport and we look forward to working with him to ensure the ongoing progression of talented athletes into the Australian ‘Stingers’ team.”

Aleksandr thanked Sakis Kechagias the outgoing Stingers Head Coach for his service since being appointed to the role in February 2017. 

“I would like to acknowledge and thank outgoing Aussie Stingers Head Coach Sakis Kechagias for his commitment and passion wile he was coaching the Australian Women’s team through the  transition period following the Rio Olympic Games.

We wish Sakis all the very best for the future,” said Osadchuk.

For further media enquiries please contact Lauren Ryan on 0402 162 807 or lauren.ryan@btbconsulting.com.au.