CLM and the Richmond Aquatic Centre are excited to announce the appointment of our new Head Coach Shaun Foley who will be coming on board as the new Head Coach for the Tasman Magic Academy programme at the Richmond Aquatic Centre at the end of March.

Shaun will be moving to our beautiful region from Auckland where he has been coaching for the Massey Park Pool and the Papakura Swimming Club for the last 6 years. Shaun in the early years of his career was mentored by Andy Adair who we were privileged to have as our Head Coach in the early days of this programme. Shaun has family in the region and also swam here when he was a swimmer before moving North. Shaun is a swimming New Zealand accredited coach with over 10 years of coaching experience behind him. Under Shaun’s guidance, his previous club has had strong national swimmers from Juniors through to New Zealand Opens. Shaun has had medallists in Division II and National Age Groups.

Shaun was also head coach for the Parafed Auckland swimming program which requires working with children with physical disabilities to streamline them into club swimming. This program is linked with Paralympic New Zealand & Swimming NZ.   Shaun swam competitively for 10 years & swam with Parafed Canterbury & Paralympic NZ for 8 of the 10 years, he represented New Zealand twice under Paralympics NZ. At age 15, Shaun represented New Zealand at the 1999 Australian Junior Wheelchair games in Perth and achieved 2 golds, 2 silvers, 3 bronzes. The same year, aged 16, he represented New Zealand at the World Wheelchair games in Christchurch achieving bronze in the 200 IM, Shaun still holds New Zealand records.

Shaun is passionate about swimming and helping the next generation of swimmers achieve their dreams. He has a strong belief with the right team and attitude you can and will be successful.  His coaching philosophy is to foster the love of swimming for all ages along, with their hard work and dedication to their chosen sport.  Shaun’s goals for the programme moving forward will be focused on a solid pathway to progression and competitive swimming, by creating a fun programme to build strong and confident swimmers whilst continuously developing progression through the Tasman Magic Academy levels for all current and new swimmers. 

Shaun believes fun, consistent, continuous support and communication will see his swimmers progress and continue their passion for swimming into the future.  CLM Richmond Aquatic Centre are excited to welcome Shaun to the team and look forward to supporting him while he brings a vast range of experience and skills to the Tasman Magic Academy training programme.