The 46-year-old Dutchman took over as head coach in 2013, a year after Australia recorded their worst Olympic medal haul in the pool for 20 years at London 2012.

In a campaign marred by allegations of drunkenness and bullying, the country’s only gold medal came in the women’s 4x100 metres freestyle relay.

Under Verhaeren’s guidance, the Australian Dolphins has produced strong results at last year's Commonwealth Games, the International Swimming Federation (FINA) World Short Course Championships in Doha, and the Hancock Prospecting Pan Pacific Championships in Gold Coast.

This year’s FINA World Championships in Kazan saw the Dolphins collate seven gold medals, three silvers and six bronzes, putting them second behind the United States in the swimming standings.

Australian swimmers set new individual world records for the first time in six years at the 2015 Hancock Prospecting Australian Short Course Championships in Sydney.

Verhaeren has been awarded by being tasked with heading the nation’s swimming programme for next year’s Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro and the 2020 Games in Tokyo.

He will also lead the Dolphins at the 2017 FINA World Championships in Budapest, the 2018 Commonwealth Games in the Gold Coast, and the 2019 FINA World Championships in Gwangju, South Korea, among other events.

Swimming Australia chief executive Mark Anderson said the decision to extend Verhaeren’s contract recognised the significant cultural fit that he had within both the team and the Australia’s high performance swimming network.

"On making the appointment in 2013 we were all confident that Jacco would add a lot of value to our Australian Dolphins Swim Team and our high performance unit, and he has absolutely delivered on these expectations over the past two years," he said.

"Jacco’s vision has been embraced by our coaches, athletes and staff.

"He has a style that brings people along with him on the journey.

"We believe that there is much more that we wish to achieve and that Jacco is the individual to lead that process in his role as national head coach.

"The results on the international stage, along with the cultural changes, including the establishment of shared team values and a visionary leadership group, are evidence that the team is progressing and moving in the right direction for Rio [2016] and beyond.

"Jacco’s role combined with the expertise and contribution of the management team headed up by the general manager, Wayne Lomas, have created a united team and a high performance culture both in and out of the pool."

Having coached at the last five Olympic Games and a total of nine World Championships, and also worked as a technical director at the Royal Dutch Swimming Federation, Verhaeren is considered to have a wide range of skills and experiences that are of "great value" to the Australian team.

"In Australia I am very fortunate to be able to work with some of the best coaches and swimmers in the world, to be given the opportunity to extend my work with the team is a great honour," Verhaeren said.

"I want to challenge and inspire our team to achieve its goals, both short and long term.

"After working with the team for almost two years now I am excited with the prospects of the future and how I can continue to support the development of coaches, staff, athletes and the high performance system to stay or become world class, respected both in and out of the pool.

"On a personal note I can say that I am humbled by this opportunity offered by Swimming Australia well before the conclusion of this Olympic cycle.

"And my family, who are really enjoying this adventure as well, is also very happy to be able to extend our stay in Australia." 

Swimming Australia President John Bertrand said that Verhaeren’s knowledge and experience are invaluable to the Australian team. 

"On behalf of the board we are absolutely delighted with the way Jacco has worked with the swimmers, coaches and staff," he said.

"It is clear in Jacco we have a head coach who is respected and knowledgeable and will complement and strengthen the direction of the Dolphins.

"I am looking forward to seeing the momentum he has built continue as we approach Rio and then through to 2020.

"Within Swimming Australia, our aspirational vision is world best practice in everything we do.

"Jacco is absolutely key in this exciting journey."

Verhaeren’s next international assignment is due to be the Perth Aquatic Super Series on February 5 and 6, when the Dolphins take on China and Japan at the HBF Stadium.

The event forms part of the build-up to the Hancock Prospecting Australian Championships, which will double as the Olympic team selection trials at the South Australian Aquatic and Leisure Centre from April 7 to 14.



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