suffering from a serious stomach ailment.

Newby, the senior coach at Dolphins swim club and also a former coach of top runner Kavin Smith, flew up to New York on Thursday and was admitted to Sloan-Kettering Hospital where he is being treated.

It is understood Newby, a teacher at Warwick Academy, has been complaining about stomach problems for the past year.

"It's definitely a sad situation for swimming in Bermuda,'' said Bermuda Amateur Swimming Association president Jim Ferguson yesterday.

Newby, originally from England, has been on the Island about eight years. His teaching contract at Warwick Academy was due to end in June.

"He did a lot with masters swimming and coached a lot of masters groups,'' said Ferguson.

"There is no question, swimming is his life here -- he lived and breathed it.

He has a couple of swimmers in Alisha Millin and and Ronald Cowen who he is hoping will qualify for the Commonwealth Games.'' Barry Hanson, who coached with Newby at Dolphins, also recognised Newby's contribution to the sport. Newby spoke with the swimmers at his club earlier this week and informed them of his illness.

"He is a real strong guy and is very positive,'' said Hanson.

"He's had a big influence on masters swimming and round-the-sound and brought a youth training programme into Bermuda called `Swim America' which has been very successful in training young children.

"He has literally put hours and hours of unpaid time into swimming and is very good at his job. He is planning to monitor the training programme for all the kids from up there.'' Newby swam for the Bermuda team at the Masters Championships in Mexico last year.

"He's not been without controversy because he has his own strong opinions about things but most coaches are like that,'' said Hanson. "He has woken up swimming down here in many ways.'' National coach Gareth Davies admits he and Newby often don't see eye to eye, but he nonetheless respects his knowledge and contribution.

"We have differing views but there is no doubt I respect his energy and enthusiasm,'' said Davies.

HEALTH HTH