Swimming NSW Appoints High Performance Coach to Lead Southern Performance Centre
Swimming NSW is delighted to announce the appointment of David Proud as the Head Coach of the highly anticipated Southern Performance Centre based out of Sutherland Leisure Centre.
Proud will bring his wealth of experience and expertise garnered from his tenure with Swimming Australia at the Brisbane Hub Program. Having played a pivotal role in coaching athletes gearing up for this year's Olympic and Paralympic trials, Proud’s arrival is poised to drive the development of swimming talent in the southern metropolitan region and bolster NSW coaching capability.
Originally from the UK, Proud made his mark in Australian swimming circles when he joined TSS Aquatic in 2010. There, he led the Junior Swimming Program and mentored notable athletes such as Kai Edwards, Jessica Walker, Emma Robinson, and Kiah Melverton, guiding them to Olympic and International senior and junior teams.
In 2016, Proud assumed the role of Swimming Director at Nudgee College, where he collaborated with a team of five coaches and worked closely with the Tokyo Paralympic medallist, Will Martin, showcasing his ability to nurture talent across diverse disciplines.
His decision to relocate from Queensland to NSW underscores his commitment to fostering swimming excellence. The establishment of the Southern Performance Centre represents a significant milestone in Swimming NSW's ongoing mission to cultivate high performance pathways and programs for swimmers across the state.
Proud expressed his enthusiasm for his new role, stating, "This is a fantastic opportunity to identify and nurture emerging swimming talent in a region renowned for its swimming prowess. I’m excited to be working in such a great facility with the support of all the program partners and the team at Swimming NSW.”
Swimming NSW Performance Centres serve as hubs of excellence and benefit from the support of the NSW Institute of Sport performance team. The Sutherland Shire Council's financial backing and the utilisation of the Sutherland Leisure Centre multi-pool facility underscore their commitment to creating an optimal environment for athletic development.
Kirsten Thomson OLY, CEO of Swimming NSW, welcomed Proud's appointment, “David's passion and expertise will be an invaluable asset to our swimming community in NSW. We look forward to supporting David and are confident that his appointment will place our state in a strong position for the future.”
Sutherland Shire Mayor, Councillor Carmelo Pesce welcomed the appointment, saying it came as the latest step in establishing the Sutherland Shire as a focal point for high performance swimming and coaching.
“Through the process of establishing Sutherland Leisure Centre as a Swimming NSW Performance Centre, Council has demonstrated our passion for supporting local athletes and coaches to nurture their skills and aspire to greatness,” Mayor Pesce said.
“The appointment of a Head Coach of such high calibre, we’re excited to see the initiative continue to gather pace.”
