New Coaching Staff Announced
Sunday, August 10, 2008
By CHUCK GRACE
I am pleased to announce our new coaching staff for the 2008/2009 swimming season (biographies below).
Following Coach Jay’s decision to spend more time with his growing family, the team executive took a few moments to talk about the future of the team. We concluded that we were still firmly committed to our vision of Fun, Fit and Fast – and in that order. But we also noted that with the growth in the Silver Dolphins over the last 5 years – and our growing reputation for an enthusiastic, quality program – we had reached a point where we needed to add to our coaching presence on the deck or risk overwhelming the coach with increasing responsibilities. We therefore decided to move to a program where we have 2 coaches on deck for each of our weekday practices (Sunday’s format will remain unchanged). We are convinced this new format will give everyone in the pool the opportunity to receive the individual attention they need in the pool while ensuring the fun, social aspects that are the hallmark of the Dolphins.
In late spring, we assembled a coaching selection committee with representatives from each of the lanes and set about to find the ideal coaching staff for the Dolphins. As it turned out, we didn’t need to look far as our new coaching staff was already in the pool with us.
Please welcome Johnny, Erika and Kristy as your new London Silver Dolphin coaching staff.
We are very excited about the depth of swimming experience on the coaching staff, their understanding and respect for “mature athletes” and in particular for the enthusiasm they bring to the deck. We hope you are as excited about new coaching staff and the 2008/2009 swimming season as we are.
Johnny is well known to most of the masters swimmers in London. He’s been a member of the Silver Dolphins since 2003 and is a provincial and national masters champion. Prior to that, Johnny swam competitively as an age grouper and with UWO. He holds 28 club age-group records, was a former Ontario & Saskatchewan provincial record holder in the 200m breaststroke and Senior national, CIAU and World Cup competitor in 1996-2001.
When not in the water, Johnny has been on deck coaching. He has been coaching competitive swimming for 6 years and has his NCCP Level II Certification. His coaching background includes assistant Age Group coach with South Western Aquatics 2003-2005, Masters coach with South Western Aquatics 2003 – 2005, Assistant Head coach with the Speed Shark Swim Club 2005-2007 and head coach of the North Middlesex Swim team since 2007.
In addition, Johnny is a member of the MSO Board of Directors and is very familiar with the issues and priorities for Masters swimming in Ontario.
Erika has 15 years of competitive swimming including 4 years swimming with UWO where she was varsity captain in 2005-06. She is a former member of the North York Aquatic Club and has competed at World trials & Common wealth games trials. She was an OUA all star in 50 meter butterfly in 2004-05. Erika has 2 years of coaching experience with North York Aquatic Club.
Kristy has 21 Years of competitive swimming experience including a couple of seasons with the Silver Dolphins. She has been a swimming instructor for 15 years. Kristy is a former member of Wright State University Women’s Swim Team, San Diego State – University Women’s Swimming and the London Aquatic Club. She has her NCCP Level I Certification and is entering her 2nd year as a competitive swim coach.
We would also like to take this opportunity to again thank Jay Nolan for his support and coaching prowess over the last 5 years. His enthusiasm and commitment have positioned the team for even more success in the future. Thanks again Jay!
I am pleased to announce our new coaching staff for the 2008/2009 swimming season (biographies below).
Following Coach Jay’s decision to spend more time with his growing family, the team executive took a few moments to talk about the future of the team. We concluded that we were still firmly committed to our vision of Fun, Fit and Fast – and in that order. But we also noted that with the growth in the Silver Dolphins over the last 5 years – and our growing reputation for an enthusiastic, quality program – we had reached a point where we needed to add to our coaching presence on the deck or risk overwhelming the coach with increasing responsibilities. We therefore decided to move to a program where we have 2 coaches on deck for each of our weekday practices (Sunday’s format will remain unchanged). We are convinced this new format will give everyone in the pool the opportunity to receive the individual attention they need in the pool while ensuring the fun, social aspects that are the hallmark of the Dolphins.
In late spring, we assembled a coaching selection committee with representatives from each of the lanes and set about to find the ideal coaching staff for the Dolphins. As it turned out, we didn’t need to look far as our new coaching staff was already in the pool with us.
Please welcome Johnny, Erika and Kristy as your new London Silver Dolphin coaching staff.
We are very excited about the depth of swimming experience on the coaching staff, their understanding and respect for “mature athletes” and in particular for the enthusiasm they bring to the deck. We hope you are as excited about new coaching staff and the 2008/2009 swimming season as we are.
Biographies
Johnny Hewerdine – Head Coach
Johnny is well known to most of the masters swimmers in London. He’s been a member of the Silver Dolphins since 2003 and is a provincial and national masters champion. Prior to that, Johnny swam competitively as an age grouper and with UWO. He holds 28 club age-group records, was a former Ontario & Saskatchewan provincial record holder in the 200m breaststroke and Senior national, CIAU and World Cup competitor in 1996-2001.
When not in the water, Johnny has been on deck coaching. He has been coaching competitive swimming for 6 years and has his NCCP Level II Certification. His coaching background includes assistant Age Group coach with South Western Aquatics 2003-2005, Masters coach with South Western Aquatics 2003 – 2005, Assistant Head coach with the Speed Shark Swim Club 2005-2007 and head coach of the North Middlesex Swim team since 2007.
In addition, Johnny is a member of the MSO Board of Directors and is very familiar with the issues and priorities for Masters swimming in Ontario.
Erika Moran – Assistant Coach
Erika has 15 years of competitive swimming including 4 years swimming with UWO where she was varsity captain in 2005-06. She is a former member of the North York Aquatic Club and has competed at World trials & Common wealth games trials. She was an OUA all star in 50 meter butterfly in 2004-05. Erika has 2 years of coaching experience with North York Aquatic Club.
Kristy Corley – Assistant Coach
Kristy has 21 Years of competitive swimming experience including a couple of seasons with the Silver Dolphins. She has been a swimming instructor for 15 years. Kristy is a former member of Wright State University Women’s Swim Team, San Diego State – University Women’s Swimming and the London Aquatic Club. She has her NCCP Level I Certification and is entering her 2nd year as a competitive swim coach.
We would also like to take this opportunity to again thank Jay Nolan for his support and coaching prowess over the last 5 years. His enthusiasm and commitment have positioned the team for even more success in the future. Thanks again Jay!