A highly respected water polo coach for England and Great Britain was tragically discovered deceased in his hotel room after staff were compelled to force their way inside. Andrew McGinty, aged 34, was found at the Village Hotel in Bury on December 18 last year, with the circumstances leading to a recent inquest conclusion of suicide.
Inquest Details and Coroner's Findings
The final inquest hearing took place at Rochdale Coroner's Court on Monday, where Senior Coroner Joanne Kearsley recorded a conclusion of suicide. According to the official record, the medical cause of death was suffocation or asphyxiation. Coroner Kearsley stated that the circumstances indicated Mr McGinty had deliberately ended his own life.
Mr McGinty had checked into the Village Hotel on December 16 and was scheduled to check out two days later. When he failed to do so, hotel staff forced entry into his room, finding the door chained from the inside. He was discovered lying on the bed, as previously heard during the opening of the inquest into his death.
Tributes from the Water Polo Community
Following his passing, numerous organisations paid heartfelt tributes to Mr McGinty, highlighting his significant impact on the sport. Swim England, the national governing body for swimming in England, released a statement honouring his contributions and work within the water polo community.
England Water Polo described Mr McGinty as "much liked" and noted he was "a huge influence" on hundreds of young water polo players across the north west region. Their tribute emphasised his success in coaching several Great Britain and England age-group squads, as well as his popularity on the poolside nationwide.
Recognition from Local Clubs and Institutions
The City of Manchester Water Polo Club, based at the Manchester Aquatics Centre, acknowledged Mr McGinty as an integral member for many years. Bolton School, where he served as a long-standing coach, expressed that the tragic and unexpected news brought a moment of great sorrow to everyone connected with the institution.
Bolton School praised his passion for water polo and commitment to the students he coached, stating he would be greatly missed by all who knew him. Additionally, the English Schools' Swimming Association, where Mr McGinty was the water polo head coach, highlighted his pivotal role in developing school water polo over more than a decade.
Legacy and Community Impact
Mr McGinty, who resided in Higher Blackley, north Manchester, was recognised as a key figure in Swim England's water polo department and a main driving force behind recent national programme successes. The English Schools' Swimming Association also noted his crucial support in fostering collaboration between Swim England and their water polo initiatives in recent years.
The water polo community has expressed that his dedication and influence will be deeply missed, with his legacy remembered through the many young athletes he mentored and the programmes he helped advance.
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