Duncan Laing

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Andrew James Duncan Laing CNZM OBE (20 June 1933 – 13 September 2008), generally known as Duncan Laing, was a New Zealand swimming coach based in Dunedin. He coached Olympian Danyon Loader, winner of two gold medals at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics and a silver medal at Barcelona in 1992,[1][2] and Philip Rush, current world record holder for the fastest two and three way swim of the English Channel.[3]

Early life

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Laing was born in New Plymouth and rose to sporting prominence in both swimming and rugby, playing 28 first class matches for Taranaki between 1952-1955. He also picked up numerous swimming titles during the 1940s and was a strong surf life saver, winning the Nelson Shield with the Fitzroy Surf Life Saving Club.[4]

He was working at New Plymouth’s Kawaroa Pool as a volunteer swim coach and had built a home near New Plymouth's Rugby Park in the hope of picking up rugby coaching opportunities but plans changed when he saw an advertisement for a swim coach at Dunedin's Moana Pool.

Dunedin coaching career

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He began teaching at Moana Pool in 1966, and over 40 years training in Dunedin included 11 Olympic athletes.[2][5] In 2003, Michael Phelps visited New Zealand to train under Laing.[6]

His involvement in rugby continued as he coached senior club rugby teams and was a selector for Otago from 1982 -1985.

Personal life

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He married Betty Burgess in 1951, and they had six children, four sons and two daughters (one deceased).[7] He also ran the Moana House rehabilitation centre with his wife.[3]

He had since retired from professional coaching, and received treatment in 2006 for melanoma on his leg and a brain tumour.[8]He died in Dunedin 13 September 2008 at the age of 75.[7][9]

Awards and honours

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Laing was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in the 1993 Queen's Birthday Honours,[10] and a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to sport, in the 2006 Queen's Birthday Honours.[11][12]

One of the pools within the Moana Pool complex was renamed the Duncan Laing Pool in November 2010.[13]

He was inducted into the New Zealand Sports Hall of Fame in 2005[14] and the Taranaki Sports Hall of Fame in 2017.[15]

References

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  1. ^ "Another great honour for Duncan Laing, CNZM, OBE". Swimming New Zealand. 6 June 2006. Archived from the original on 23 October 2007. Retrieved 5 August 2008.
  2. ^ a b McMurran, Alistair (6 March 2008). "Swimming: Plaque in honour of Laing's legacy". Otago Daily Times. Retrieved 5 August 2008.
  3. ^ a b Edwards, Brent (15 September 2008). "Champion coach was an inspiration". Otago Daily Times. Retrieved 15 September 2008.
  4. ^ "Sport Taranaki". www.sporttaranaki.org.nz. Retrieved 8 June 2025.
  5. ^ "Swim Coach Duncan Laing to have Tumor Surgery". Timed Finals. 21 September 2006. Retrieved 5 August 2008.
  6. ^ "How Phelps got his edge in NZ". 18 August 2008. Retrieved 26 October 2008.
  7. ^ a b Obituary in Dominion Post 18 September 2008 page B3
  8. ^ "Swimming: Testimonial dinner for iconic coach Laing". New Zealand Herald. 22 September 2006. Retrieved 5 August 2008.
  9. ^ "Master coach Duncan Laing dies". Otago Daily Times. 13 September 2008. Retrieved 13 September 2008.
  10. ^ "No. 53334". The London Gazette (3rd supplement). 12 June 1993. p. 38.
  11. ^ "Queen's Birthday Honours: Laing on honours list – again". New Zealand Herald. 5 June 2006. Retrieved 5 August 2008.
  12. ^ "Queen's Birthday honours list 2006". Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. 5 June 2006. Retrieved 4 May 2020.
  13. ^ Constantine, Ellie (5 November 2010). "City swimming greats honoured". Otago Daily Times. Retrieved 10 January 2013.
  14. ^ "Duncan Laing". New Zealand Sports Hall of Fame. Retrieved 8 June 2025.
  15. ^ "Sport Taranaki". www.sporttaranaki.org.nz. Retrieved 8 June 2025.
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