ACU Blacktown (ACUB) Swim Squad is the number one high performance swimming program in western Sydney. Based in the world-class facilities at Blacktown Aquatic and Leisure Centre, the program’s leadership team has high aspirations, working to return ACUB swimmers to top 10 in NSW and at the UniSport Nationals.
The goal of the ACUB Swim Squad program is to provide an environment in which all swimmers can achieve their potential.
National and state squads
For highly competitive swimmers competing at state and national age and open level. Athletes in these squads complete between seven and nine pool training sessions a week and are supported by head coach Misha and national age coach Sarah-Jane.
Senior competitive squad
For our younger swimmers competing at metropolitan and local area championship level. This program works to support swimmers’ transition from junior swimming into higher-level competition with a continued focus on technique, skill acquisition and development. Swimmers complete four to six pool training sessions a week and are supported by ACUB squad coach Matt.
Junior squad
For young developing swimmers competing at local area championships and swimming carnivals. This program is the first step into competitive swimming, with swimmers transitioning from mini squad into this more structured training program. We focus on technique development and acquiring the skills required to compete. Swimmers compete two to three training sessions a week and are supported by ACUB squad coach Matt.
Mini squad
This program is the first step when transitioning from a learn to swim program. We focus on technique development and skill acquisition. Swimmers can complete up to three 45-minute training sessions a week. This group is led by our squad coaches John and Chelsea.
Misha has been coaching for 16 years since retiring from competitive swimming. While competing, Misha was both a national age and open medalist and was selected onto NSW and national teams. Misha has experience coaching all levels of swimming. In 2021, He placed his first athlete, Se-Bom Lee onto the Australian Olympic Team and he coached ACUB’s very own Tim Hodge to a world record in 2022. Misha’s philosophy to “lead athletes to be the best that they can be” is what the ACUB program is built on.
Sarah-Jane grew up in the competitive world of swimming and competed and medaled nationally from the age of 13. She embarked on her coaching career in 2020 before taking her position within ACUB as the national age coach in 2022. Sarah-Jane placed her first swimmer on a NSW team. Sarah-Jane says “coaching is an incredible privilege” and strives each day to nurture and develop not only incredible athletes but amazing young people.
Matt grew up in western Sydney and learnt to swim at Blacktown Aquatic Centre. He represented Blacktown City Swimming Club at his first national age championships in 2010 and swam under ACUB’s head coach Misha for a number of years. In 2020, Matt fulfilled his lifelong dream of claiming an Australian title in the five-kilometre open water championships before retiring. Matt brings enthusiasm and knowledge to our junior programs and says that what he loves most about coaching is “supporting athletes to reach their greatest potential, even when they don’t see that potential in themselves”.
