SOPAC Swim Club

I am happy to be called Ryan, however I also commonly get called Frosty, Ryno or Jack. I will respond to any of them.

I have been out of coaching for a few months and genuinely missed being on pool deck. I decided to apply for the Coaching role at SOPAC as I saw it not only as an opportunity to return to coaching, but to join a great team with whom I believe I will be able to work well in developing ourselves as coaches and swimmers.

I was attracted to SOPAC as it is close to home for me. It is also a pool that I have been attending for over 20 years both as a patron, Olympic spectator, swimmer and coach. I have made many fond memories at SPOAC and look forward to making many more there in the years to come.

In the first 30 days, I plan to spend that time getting to know the team and have the team get to know me. If is important as a coach that the athletes learn my style of coaching and for me to learn what makes them tick. This is how we develop trust in each other and move forward in producing an even stronger team.

The first 60 days, will be about building up to Junior Metros and State, and Open State. There will be lots of fitness development and technique work so that we can perfect these skills to benefit us throughout the remainder of the season.

In the first 90 days, we will be focused on preparing for Nationals. This will include developing the skills both physically and mentally to help us approach nationals with the positivity and determination that we need to succeed.

There is no such thing as failure in swimming. There are only lessons and victories. When we succeed we embrace our victories, but every race has a lesson whether it is a good race or bad. We learn from those lessons so that we may improve ourselves allowing us to embrace even more victories.

My number one expectation is communication and respect. When there is an open and respectful dialogue between coach, swimmer and parents, we develop trust. I believe that trust and communication are the key foundations of any successful club. When we can communicate effectively, we are better equipped to face any hurdles together that may pop up in front of us.

I believe that key attributes that have made me a successful coach and assisted in my selection for this role are that I do have good communication skills, I am knowledgeable, and I am empathetic. If you ask my friends, they will tell you that I love to talk (sometimes a little too much). With a background in sports science, I enjoy not just coaching, but educating the swimmers about what they are doing and why. I believe that the greater the understanding the athlete has of their training program, the better equipped they become to help themselves in striving for success. Having only finished my own competitive swimming career 9 years ago, and having my own battles with injury, I also have the ability to empathise with the swimmer’s perspective on how they are feeling. We all have our good days and bad. And when a swimmer finds that their coach is more understanding, they are more likely to speak up when they have a problem. Again, this allows us to build trust and develop a positive Coach/Swimmer rapport, which is important for being a successful swimmer.

I believe that I offer swimmers a coach who will support them, back them up, push them and look out for them. I offer friendship, leadership, respect, and care.

I don’t have a family or kids of my own. I have my Mum, Dad, and sister and close family friends whose children are like my own nieces and nephews.

I have a Boxer named Louie. He’s a crazy dog. Basically, a fully grown, 2 year old puppy.

In my spare time, I like to hang out with friends and family, go to the beach, walk Louie, or just relax with a good tv show.

I like to listen to all kinds of music. I don’t have a preference. As long as it has a good beat or catchy tune, I’ll happily listen to it.

I love all food! But especially a good BBQ. Nothing beats a good summer BBQ with friends and family.

Always have a golden carrot! That one life goal that you want to achieve above all others. Build a plan of smaller goals around that to help you chase down that one goal. Then, even if you never get that carrot, you’ll still be able to look back and see all of the many other goals you have successfully achieved in life.