Price took over as head coach 18 months ago, and the club's Swimming Victoria ranking has risen from a lowly 57 to number four in the state.

The rankings are decided on points scored for finishing in the top 10 of the state's swimming program.

Price's stable of swimmers has increased from 20, to 40 junior and 30 intermediate swimmers. His charges include Daniel Lee, who competed for SriLanka in the 50metre freestyle at the Beijing Olympics against Australia's Eamon Sullivan, and 14-year Kahlia Marsh, who won a silver medal at her first national meet and was selected in the Australian junior team earlier this year.

Price, who played football for the AFL Kangaroos, was also the fitness adviser for Collingwood, and played District/Premier Cricket for Melbourne University.

"I had a different background to most other swim coaches and I never swam competitively.

"It was when my children started swimming that I got involved in coaching, which I've been doing for the past 25 years."

Price's philosophy on being a successful coach is about helping his swimmers reach their full potential.

"My job is to help them reach their full potential and to try and motivate them to be the best they can be.

"It's also about combining swimming with their education, and most important, having fun."