Western Aquatic Academy offers a range of high performance, competitive
and fitness squad programs at the Maribyrnong Aquatic Centre (MAC).
Our team of qualified coaches has developed an inclusive program for all Western Aquatic Academy squad swimmers as well as members of our Swimming Victoria affiliated Club – the Western Aquatic Academy Swimming Team.
THE ACADEMY’S TEAM OF QUALIFIED COACHES FOCUSES ON
COMPETITIVE SWIMMING
WATER
POLO
TRIATHLON OPEN WATER
RECREATIONAL
FITNESS
SPECIALIST
ADVANCED
SQUAD PROGRAM
The first step in joining the squad program is a five to ten-minute assessment at MAC to determine the most suitable squad level for your needs.
MARIBYRNONG AQUATIC CENTRE
1 Aquatic Drive, Maribyrnong
COACHES
PAUL TAYLOR
QUALIFICATIONS
– Nationally Accredited ASCTA Silver Licence Coach
– Bachelor of Education (Physical Education Major)
– Completed Open Water and SWD extension courses
COACHING / TEACHING EXPERIENCE
– WAA Coaching Director since 2017
– Altona Swimming Club Coaching Director 2012-2021
– Wyndham City Swimming Club Coaching Director 2006-2017
– Wyndham City Swimming Club Head Coach 2006-2013
(seven years at National Age/Open level) and Club Coach 1995-2004
– Five years as a swimming teacher/coordinator
– Physical Education specialist/classroom teacher since 2001
SWIMMING BACKGROUND
– Swam competitively with the Werribee Swimming Club for fourteen years
– Metro West and Wyndham City Swimming Club Life Member
– Swam at Club, District, State and National level
– Also competed in open water swimming, triathlon and water polo
CURRENTLY COACHING
Paul directs the WAA coaching at Maribyrnong (Maribyrnong Aquatic
Centre and VU Footscray) and Wyndham (AquaPulse and Saltwater)
KAREN SALES
QUALIFICATIONS
– Accredited ASCTA Development Coach
– Nationally Accredited Teacher of Competitive Swimming
– Nationally Accredited Austswim Teacher of Swimming and Water Safety
– American Swimming Coaches Association (ASCA) Level 1, 2 and 3 Coach
– World Open Water Swimming Association (WOWSA) Level 3 Coach
– Sport Singapore National Registry of Coaches (NROC) Level 2 Swimming Coach
– Bachelor of Science in Information and Computer Science
COACHING / TEACHING EXPERIENCE
– Coaching Development and Competitive Age Group swimmers at Nexus Swim Team (Singapore) 2022
– Coaching Development and Competitive Age Group swimmers at OFS Tigers Swim Team (Singapore) 2020-2022
– Head Coach and Founder of Masters Philippines Swimming (Singapore) 2016-current
– Coaching Junior Competitive and Learn to Swim sessions at SAS Eagle Swim Club (Singapore) 2016-2020
– Coaching beginner to elite Triathletes at Metasport (Singapore) 2015-2021
– Coaching Masters to beginner adult swimmers at Singapore Swim Stars 2016-2018
– Coaching Junior Competitive and Learn to Swim sessions at Fighting Fish Swim Team (Singapore) 2014-2016
SWIMMING BACKGROUND
– Current Masters competitor – actively participating in Masters swim meets and open water races with the Masters Philippines Swimming Team
– Triathlete in multiple triathlon races across the world from 2010-2016
– Dragonboat paddler with the Filipino Dragons (Singapore) 2009-2014
– Underwater hockey player at Stirling Underwater Hockey Club (Singapore) 2008-2009
GOWTHAM REDDY
QUALIFICATIONS
– Nationally Accredited Swimming Australia Development Coach
– Currently completing Certificate 3 & 4 in Fitness and Performance Nutrition Level 1
– Nationally Accredited Austswim Teacher of Swimming and Water Safety
– Masters in Construction Management
COACHING / TEACHING EXPERIENCE
– Coaching and administration at Dolphin Aquatics (India) 2019-2020
– Teaching swimming at Saltwater Swim School Point Cook 2020-current
– Teaching swimming at Jump Swim School (Lara) 2020-2022
SWIMMING BACKGROUND
– Swam competitively for Dolphin Aquatics (one of the top swimming clubs in India) for ten years. Represented the club in many State level competitions and won numerous medals (gold, silver, and bronze).
– Finalist in main events at All India National Competition. Won a bronze medal at All India National Meet.
– Played All India School Games for six years and was the top four in most events.
– Won many medals at India South Zone Competitions for four years (silver and bronze).
CURRENTLY COACHING
Gowtham will be teaching/coaching the Learn to Swim and WAA squads at Saltwater.
Gowtham will be coaching the Development, Fitness/Recreational and Performance Squads at AquaPulse
ANGELA CHENG
QUALIFICATIONS
– Nationally Accredited Austswim Swimming and Water Safety Teacher
– Enrolled to complete the Swimming Australia Development Coaching Course (previously Bronze Licence) in July 2021
– Certificate in Montessori Early Childhood Education
– Bachelor of Fine Arts – The University of Pennsylvania
COACHING / TEACHING EXPERIENCE
– WAA (MAC Branch) Squad Coach since February 2021
– Learn to Swim teacher with Brimbank Council since 2018
– Head Teacher – Lane & International Montessori Schools in Philadelphia, USA 2003-2017
– Primary School Teacher – DS Primary School in Shanghai, China 1992-1994
SWIMMING BACKGROUND
– Swam competitively (in China) at Club, District and State Level
CURRENTLY COACHING
Angela coaches the District, Fitness/Multi Sport, Junior Talent
and Competition Development Squads at MAC
BESSIE NGUYEN
QUALIFICATIONS
– Nationally Accredited Teacher of Competitive Strokes
COACHING / TEACHING EXPERIENCE
– WAA (MAC Branch) Squad Coach since 2022
SWIMMING BACKGROUND
– Swam competitively with WAA (2018-2022) at Club, District and State level
– Swam competitively with Essendon District Aquatic (2014-2018) at Club, District and State level
– Victorian Short Course State Medallist in 2016
CURRENTLY COACHING
Bessie coaches the Junior Development Squads at MAC.
KHOA LE
QUALIFICATIONS
– Nationally Accredited Teacher of Competitive Strokes
– Nationally Accredited Austswim Swimming and Water Safety Teacher
– Bachelor of Health Sciences/Master of Podiatric Practice
COACHING / TEACHING EXPERIENCE
– WAA (Maribyrnong Branch) Squad Coach since 2018
– WAA (Saltwater Branch) Squad Coach since 2019
– MAC Learn to Swim Teacher since 2014
– Melbourne University Swimming Instructor since 2017
– Swimming Instructor at East Keilor Leisure Centre 2013-2015
– Maribyrnong Swimming Coach 2013
SWIMMING BACKGROUND
– Swam competitively with the Maribyrnong Swimming Club 2008-2012
– Swam at Club, District, State level and National Level
– 2010 Victorian State Age Champion
– Victorian State Medallist in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012
– Australian Age Medallist in 2010
CURRENTLY COACHING
Khoa coaches the Junior Talent and Competition Development Squads at MAC
SANDY SEVER
QUALIFICATIONS
– Nationally Accredited Teacher of Competitive Strokes
– Nationally Accredited Austswim Swimming and Water Safety Teacher
– Master of Buisness at the University of Economy (Zagreb, Croatia)
COACHING / TEACHING EXPERIENCE
– WAA (Maribyrnong Branch) Squad Coach since 2022
– MAC Learn to Swim Teacher since 2022
– Victoria University (Footscray) Swimming Instructor since 2022
– YMCA (Coburg) Swimming Instructor, 2021
– Swimming Squad Coach (Peraja – Zagreb Croatia), 2014-2019
– Admin PA at Croatian Swimming Federation, 2007-2019
SWIMMING BACKGROUND
– National Champion in Croatia, 1983-1991
– Member of National Team (Croatia), 1987-1991
– Competitor in EURO Championships, 1989-1990
– Winner at Balkan Games (six countries), 1990
CURRENTLY COACHING
Sandy will be coaching the Performance Squads at MAC.