Our Coaches
West Coast Swim Club has consistently ranked as one of WA’s Swimming’s best Club teams at State and National Competition and boasts one of the most experienced coaching staff’s in Australia. Our coaching staff has come together with years of coaching both within Australia and Internationally, having developed thousands of successful young swimmers all over the world. The key to the success of our coaching program is the consistency of excellence and consistency of coaching staff across all of our squads from Junior to National Age level.
Deb Jones – Director of Coaching
National Age Squad
An accomplished athlete herself, Deb moved into the field of swim coaching at the age of 18 completing her AUSTSWIM swim teacher's qualification and becoming a qualified ASCTA swim coach. She went on to complete a Degree in Health and Physical Education at Edith Cowan University. A desire to travel and live abroad led her to Tokyo, Japan where she earned her first part-time position as a swim coach.
In 2003 Deb moved with her family to Phuket, Thailand where she founded and worked as the Head Coach of the Flying Fish Swim Club, an international school based swim club that enjoyed great success both at National and International level. During this time, Deb and her husband, Hugo, also developed the TriBallistic Triathlon Club, hosted triathlon events and coached local and international triathletes.
In 2008, Deb took up a position as Director of Aquatics and Head Coach of Silverfinz Swim Club at the Phuket International Sports Academy. Under her leadership the club competed successfully at international competitions including Thailand and Singapore National Open and Age Championships, and Age level competition in China, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Philippines and Australia.
Deb has over 15 years experience coaching and has coached swimmers onto National Junior Teams, National Open Teams and most recently the Australian Paralympic Team. She has been involved in coaching programs to children of all ages, adult beginners, masters and triathletes, and has conducted a variety of clinics, seminars and camps specialising in stroke technique and correction. With a strong commitment to excellence and the confidence she inspires, Deb's passion for swim coaching is obvious to all.
ASCTA 2011/12 JX Coach of the Year
ASCTA 2011/12 Junior Coach of the Year – State Championships
ASCTA WA Board Member 2012/13
Qualifications:
ASCTA Silver License Coach Accreditation
Bachelor of Health & Physical education
AUSTSWIM teacher qualification
First Aid Instructor
Red Cross Lifeguard
Working with Children Check / Police Clearance
Member: Australian Swimming Coaches and Teachers Association
Tim Lane
National Age Performance Squad
Tim has recently joined the West Coast Coaching team after 9 years of coaching experience in the United States. Having transferred from Newcastle University, Australia, in 2005, Tim earned his Bachelors Degree in Exercise Science from University of North Carolina Wilmington. Tim later went on to a coaching position with Villanova University, Pennsylvania, where he was employed as the Assistant Men’s & Women’s coach in the NCAA Division 1 Program.
As an athlete, swam and coached under Shane Arnold and Kerry Saunders at the Hunter swimming club, Newcastle before continuing his swimming career in the United States where he completed his two years of NCAA eligibility for the Seahawks, winning two CAA team titles, and captaining the men to their 6th straight title in 2007. Tim was also an Olympic Trials qualifier in Australia in both 2004 and 2008.
Tim’s experience extends to program design, seasonal plans, strength and conditioning and stoke/skill clinics. He brings to West Coast a wealth of knowledge and experience having coached at major National and International Meets including National U.S Olympic Trials, German National and Olympic trials, South African National Championships and World University Games in Shenzhen, China.
Qualifications:
ASCTA – Currently working towards ASCTA Bronze & Silver Licenses
Bachelor of Physical Education (Exercise Science)
CPR, First Aid and Safety Training
Working with Children Check / Police Clearance
Member: Australian Swimming Coaches and Teachers Association
Chris Jongsma
Senior Performance Coach / Age Squad / Junior Squad
As a Life Member of West Coast Swimming Club, former President and coach, CJ has been an instrumental part of the growth and success of the club both in his capacity as a coach and in his involvement with the club committee. He brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to pool deck and enjoys seeing swimmers progress to the highest level. He has coached swimmers to both State and National level and has been responsible for relay selection for State Championships, A Grade Premierships and Colour Pennants.
CJ is familiar with all aspects of swim coaching and team management and has the ability to coach swimmers of all levels. His more recent roles include Assistant Coach and Team Manager at the Australian Age Championships, Coach of the National Age Development squad, Coach of Scotch College Swimming Team and Visiting Coach for the Broome Swimming Club where he conducted clinics for swimmers and workshops for coaches.
As a coach, CJ is well known for the importance he places on technique, the quality feedback that he provides to swimmers and his encouragement of all swimmers to train to their full potential. As a long-term member of the coaching team at West Coast Swim Club, CJ has provided great inspiration and support for both swimmers and parents and is a highly valued member of the club.
ASCTA 2010/11 JX Coach of the Year
Qualifications:
ASCTA Silver License Coach Accreditation
Working with Children Check / Police Clearance
Member: Australian Swimming Coaches and Teachers Association
Nic Cuthbert
National Age Development Squad
As an athlete Nic was a former WAIS Swimmer that has competed at an elite level in both Swimming and Surf Life Saving since first getting involved at age 7. Fortunate enough to train under the tutelage of two Australian greats, Bernie Mulroy and Dennis Cotterell, Nic has achieved success as a 10km Open Water Swimmer as well as winning multiple National medals in Surf Life Saving. More recently moving to a coaching role, Nic established his credentials as Assistant Coach to the Malaysian National Team before moving back to Western Australia in late 2012. As a degree qualified Human Resource and Management Professional Nic has been involved in running leadership development programs for young people all the way through to himself managing a workforce of over 150 people with diverse ethnic and educational backgrounds. Nic prides himself on being approachable and professional in his approach to working with athletes to create a pathway to personal success. He understands the varied dynamics that contribute to achievement as an Age Group Swimmer and puts special importance on the fundamental aspects of technique and stroke development.
Kristin Cihoski
Junior Gold / Junior Performance / Age Development Squads
Kristin swam at Indiana University from 2005‐2009 where she won two Big Ten Championships in 2007 and 2009. Following the completion of her collegiate career, Kristin began coaching at a local club team, Bloomington Swim Club and then, when in Virginia, she coached a variety of groups ranging from swim lessons to coaching National Team Members with the Coast Guard Blue Dolphins. She was also the Head Women’s Swim Coach at Tabb High School where she qualified 7 women to the Virginia State Championships. She completed one year as a Volunteer Assistant at her alma mater, Indiana University where she gained valuable collegiate coaching experience. While there, she coached 3 Olympic qualifiers, most notably, Marguaux Farrell who earned a Bronze in the 800 Free Relay for France. She was more recently the Assistant Coach for Women’s Swimming at the University of Pittsburgh and Co‐Head Coach of the Senior Group for Team Pittsburgh.
Ben Enright
Fitness Squad / Age & Age Development Squads
Alison Whitely & Jasmyne Gannaway
Junior Skills Squads / Stingrays Performance & Development Squads
Bryan Tay