Friends and colleagues say they 'greatly miss' Andrew McGinty, the beloved coach of the England and Great Britain water polo squads, after he took his own life in a hotel room. The final inquest hearing into his death was held at Rochdale Coroner's Court on Monday, April 20.
Details of the Incident
The 34-year-old was discovered at the Village Hotel in Bury on December 18 last year. He had checked in on December 16 and was due to check out two days later. When he failed to check out, staff forced their way inside his hotel room, the door of which was chained from the inside. According to the record of the final inquest, his medical cause of death was '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 from the Water Polo Community
Swim England paid tribute to Mr McGinty, describing him as a 'popular figure on the poolside across the country.' A statement read: 'Andy also enjoyed great success coaching several GB/England age-group squads and was a popular figure on the poolside across the country. 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.' 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. They added: '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.'
Legacy and Contributions
Mr McGinty, who lived in Higher Blackley, north Manchester, was also water polo head coach at the English Schools' Swimming Association (ESSA). ESSA stated: '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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