OUR TEAM

SwimZone exists to provide a fun, safe and challenging environment for your child to develope to their best potential. Every week we help 400 swimmers to not only become safer but more confident in and around the water.Our swimming lessons focus on correct technique and develope fitness though a proven pathway as they progress through the swimming classes.

So what makes our Swimzone coaches motivated? We all enjoy working with kids, love being part of a team environment and understand the importance of developing children to be the best they can and at the same time let them enjoy the challenge of each group they pass through. Our coaches want to go the extra mile in providing swimming lessons for each and every SwimZone family.

JOHN ROSS

Co-owner of SwimZone

NZSCTA accredited; NZ Level 2 Coaching Licence

John is originally from Invercargill and arrived in Wellington after finishing school to work under Master Coach Tony Keenan, a well know NZ swim coach at the time. Although originally intending to just stay for a year to gain experience, this opportunity turned into a lifetime career. John's experience extends to many areas of coaching especially developmental swimming and competition swimming. He also has coached tri-athletes, open water swimmers, and does personal one-on-one training. John is currently overseeing the junior squads developments at Huia and Stokes valley pools. John is totally committed to his coaching role here in Lower Hutt developing swimmers from Swimzone Racing and also to the community for providing an innovative and competent learn to swim classes for swimmers of all levels here in the Hutt Valley.

FRANK TOURELLE

Co-owner of SwimZone

Marlins Coach

NZSCTA accredited; NZ Silver Coaching Licence

Frank is also originally from Invercargill. He moved to Wellington to work at the Naenae Olympic "Outdoor" pool in 1985 on his way to Indonesia for one of his many trips for surfing. In 1988 he arrived back to Wellington and got involved with the Lower Hutt City swim programme and discovered the joys of being a swim coach. In 1991 Frank and John gained the contract for developmental and competitive swimming in Lower Hutt and have, during these years, developed competitive swimming to a high level in the Hutt Valley with swimmers qualifying for the Olympic Games, Commonwealth Games, World Cup and World Youth Championship meets. Frank has been awarded the top qualification from SNZ as a Level 1 Coach and is currently coaching the Mako squad.

TYLER STEVENS

Barracudas Coach

Swimzone Administration

NZSCTA accredited; NZ Bronze Coaching Licence; ASTA

Tyler has been coaching for Swimzone since 2010. In the past Tyler has been an accomplished swimmer at national level as a Freestyler and Backstroker. Tyler takes care of the administration and bookings for our programme, and he is currently based in Auckland for most of the year but comes down when he can to coach. Tyler was previously the Aquakids manager and Stingrays coach. He has taken the Division II squad and is now currently the Barracudas/Junior nationals coach. Tyler is currently in his fourth year of a Bachelor of Medicine & Bachelor of Surgery at the University of Auckland and he still enjoys coaching and always looks forward to coming down each summer.

ANDY CHANG

Makos Coach and Tiger Sharks Coach

NZSCTA accredited

Andy spends his time motivating the up-and-coming Age group and Division II swimmers after having previously coached the Aquakids and Stingrays squads. He has been a swimmer in the Swimzone Orcas squad and has attended national-level competitions. He is enthusiastic and passes on his energy to our up-and-coming youngsters. Andy is currently studying a Master of Science in Marine Biology at Victoria University.

MICHELLIE SASSE

Aquakids and Mini-squads coach

NZSCTA accredited

Michellie coaches our Aquakids and Stingrays squads. Michellie swam through the Aquakids, Barracudas and competitive squads herself as a youngster and finished as a national-level swimmer. Michellie is in her final year of a Bachelor of Commerce at Victoria University. She takes care of all our Saturday squads and also helps out with the Barracudas squad occasionally.

TSAI STEVENS

Aquakids and Killer Whales coach

NZSCTA accredited

Tsai has been an accomplished swimmer at Regional and National level. She has gained gold and silver medals in the freestyle sprints. Tsai currently coaches the Aquakids at Stokes Valley and Naenae pools, and looks after the Killer whales squad. She prepares and motivates our Killer whales swimmers so they are at top-notch for the annual Junior Festival in February. Tsai is also starting a Bachelor of Nursing at Whitireia.

TOM BERRY

Aquakids and Stingrays coach

NZSCTA accredited

Tom has been an accomplished swimmer at Regional, National and International level. He has been a Lower North-Island representative for the All Stars team

ASHLEIGH RANKIN

Aquakids and Mini-squads coach