Bill Sweetenham is refusing to rest on his laurels after the highly successful Commonwealth Games enjoyed by British swimmers.

After enduring harsh criticism following poor displays at the Athens Olympics and last year's World Championships, and being accused of 'bullying', Sweetenham could be forgiven for enjoying an extended period of gloating.

Instead, British swimming's performance director swiftly headed back to his office in Loughborough to oversee preparations for next month's World Short-Course championships in Shanghai, and the trials for the European Championships in July in Budapest.

Only then, he admits, will it be possible to truly judge the medal haul from Melbourne, where the English, Scottish and Welsh teams combined for 15 gold medals and 11 British records, and helped ensure Australia's men failed to win a single individual gold medal on home soil.

"The six days of competition have been fantastic but we still have the challenge of converting this to the world stage," conceded Sweetenham.

"There is a lot of work to be done and we will know better exactly where we stand at the European Championships later this year."

Competition there will undoubtedly be tougher, and it should not be forgotten that Australia's team was lacking the inspirational figures of Ian Thorpe and Grant Hackett.

But it should also be remembered that Britain's women competed superbly against their superstar Australian counterparts, with Scotland's Caitlin McClatchey winning the 200 and 400 metres freestyle, and Rebecca Cooke defending her 800m title.

For the men, Simon Burnett took gold in the 100m freestyle and 4x200m relay, as well as silver in the 200m freestyle.

Burnett is based at the University of Arizona and made a swift exit from Melbourne to compete in the NCAA Championships, but has nothing but praise for the work Sweetenham has done since arriving in Britain in 2000.

"Bill's been very supportive," he said. "We're a long way apart and keeping track of each other is difficult, but we find a way to make it work."

So much so in fact that it seems Sweetenham could be in high demand when his contract with British swimming runs out after the Beijing Olympics.

Swimming Australia chief executive Glenn Tasker has no doubts who is behind the improved British performance Down Under.

"Bill went to Britain and raised the qualifying standards, raised all standards really," Tasker said. "Everyone at the time said 'We can't do it, we can't do it,' and two years later the performances started to prove that they could. The effect of his influence is obvious at these Commonwealth Games.

"Any country would benefit from his expertise and Australia is no different."