An inquest has heard that a water polo coach for Team GB was found dead in his hotel room after taking his own life when staff forced their way in. The body of 34-year-old Andrew McGinty, who coached the England and Great Britain water polo squads, was discovered at the Village Hotel in Bury, Greater Manchester, on December 18 last year.
Hotel Stay and Discovery
Mr McGinty, of Higher Blackley, north Manchester, had checked into the hotel on December 16 and was due to check out two days later. When he failed to do so, staff forced their way inside his hotel room, the door of which was chained from the inside, the inquest heard. His body was found lying on a bed.
Cause of Death
A final inquest hearing held at Rochdale Coroner's Court on Monday gave his cause of death as 'suffocation/asphyxiation.' Senior Coroner Joanne Kearsley said that 'the circumstances of his death indicate he had deliberately ended his life' as she recorded a conclusion of suicide.
Tributes and Legacy
Tributes poured in for the coach, and Swim England, the national governing body for swimming in England, said it was 'deeply saddened' to learn of his death. Mr McGinty was remembered for his passion for the sport, delivering national success and coaching players across Manchester. In 2017, he was paid a visit by Prince William, who watched an exhibition match at Bolton School in his role as Patron of English Schools' Swimming.
England Water Polo said Mr McGinty was 'much liked' and 'a huge influence' on hundreds of young water polo players in the north west. 'Andy also enjoyed great success coaching several GB/England age-group squads and was a popular figure on the poolside across the country,' the tribute said. 'A key figure in Swim England's water polo department as well, Andy was one of the main driving forces behind all the recent national programme successes.'
The City of Manchester Water Polo Club (CoM), based at Manchester Aquatics Centre, said Mr McGinty was an 'integral member for many years.' 'Andy played a pivotal role in the development of CoM and helped shape the future of our club. He was a friend to many within our Manchester community,' the tribute read. 'Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences go out to Andy’s family and friends during this difficult time.'
Bolton School, where Mr McGinty was a 'long-standing' coach, said the 'tragic and unexpected news' had been 'a moment of great sorrow' for everyone connected to the school. 'Andy's passion for water polo and commitment to the students he coached was evident in all that he did. He will be greatly missed by all of us here who knew him,' they said.
Mr McGinty was also head coach at the English Schools' Swimming Association. They said: 'Andy's commitment to the development of School Water Polo for over a decade at Bolton School, as part of the North West Division, with leading and supporting representative teams for ESSA and for the National team, will always be remembered. Andy was pivotal in supporting the collaboration between Swim England and English Schools Swimming Association water polo in recent years and will be missed by the whole water polo community.'
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