Aussies court Britain to revive men's team

MELBOURNE, Mar 22 (Reuters) Australia may be about to turn to Britain for help after their male swimmers suffered a disappointing Commonwealth Games.

The Australian men's team managed just one gold medal in the Melbourne pool while England, Scotland and Wales scooped up 12 between them.

Much of the credit for Britain's success has been given to their Australian coach Bill Sweetenham, who was criticised when he first took on the role for his tough approach to training, but now the Aussies want him back.

''Bill would be invaluable as a member of our coaching staff,'' Swimming Australia chief executive Glenn Tasker told the Herald Sun newspaper.

Sweetenham was one of the founders of the Australian Institute of Sport's swimming programme in 1981 and could be available to return home when his contract with the British Swimming Association expires at the end of the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

''Any country would benefit from his expertise and we're no different,'' Tasker said.

REUTERS PM BS1623