Richmond may have spawned a precocious talent in Olympic star Nicola Jackson.

But her coach is among those of the opinion that Britain's swimmers are held back by a raft of issues which need addressing if the nation is to stand a chance of bringing home the medals.

The 16-year-old Richmond School pupil swam first for the women's 4x200m free style relay team in Sydney.

She set a personal best time under extreme pressure as the team finished a creditable sixth in the event last Wednesday.

However, Nicola's coach, Dennis Parker, who saw her through the preparations for Sydney, believes that had she been able to train and compete regularly in a 50m pool, the result could have been even better for her and the team.

"Most of the long course facilities are further south, in places like Sheffield, Leeds and Manchester.

"Nicola trains at Richmond and Catterick Garrison, in North Yorkshire, and Derwentside, in County Durham, in pools which range from 25m to 33m. You come off the walls faster, which can improve your times, but swimmers used to shorter lengths adapt to a different rhythm.

"There's also the British climate to take into account. Swimming tends to be more popular in warm countries like Australia which gives selectors a bigger pool of talent to choose from.

"As so many swimming pools in this country are owned by local authorities, there's the political side to consider. Most councils want a well-managed facility for all and can't adapt their opening times simply to cater for a few."

Richmond School teacher David Clark also chairs the town's 200-member swimming club and cites a lack of cohesion in the sport as another possible reason that Britain is falling behind its rivals.

He would like to see council-run swimming lessons channelling young hopefuls to organised clubs, which could also better coordinate their sessions so they do not clash with others for more popular sports, such as football.

He would also like to see the sport's administrators contributing more to ease the pressure on the pockets of the parents with children who have what it takes to succeed.

He said: "At the moment, clubs and their individual members have to pay a levy to the English Amateur Swimming Association, but very little comes back.

"Rising stars are having to pay their own expenses to travel to competitions all over the country, or to find a sponsor who is willing to help with the cost.