Coaches

Reg Chappell BA, CFP: Founder, President and
HIGH PERFORMANCE COACH
will be back coaching full time this season.


Reg Chappell founded Aurora Swim Club (1993), Master Ducks, Stouffville Swim Club and Ducks Swimming.

Reg is a National Class coach having coached for over 40 yrs. His personal record shows national swim qualifiers since 1971, with swimmers qualified for each of 1972, 1976, 1980, 1984, 2008 Olympic Trials. 2 former age group swimmers went on to make Olympic Teams (1976 & 1992); another 3 swimmers just missed making Olympic Teams and one is in contention for the 2012 Olympic Team. Within 2 years of Ducks Swimming getting a new pool (SARC) and sufficient pool time to train National level athletes, Reg produced a National Finalist, sent 2 boys to the Olympic Trials (2008) and 5 boys placed 14th of 102 clubs at the Eastern Canadian Championships (2007).

On the Age Group side, Reg has coached 24 National Age Group records; 33 Ontario Age Group records, plus a 2 time Canadian Inter-collegiate Athletic Union (CIAU) National Champion. He led Ducks Swimming to its win at the 2005 Ontario “AAA” Age Group Team Championships; the Newmarket Stingray Swim Team to its win at the 1985 Ontario "AAA" Age Group Team Championships and in 1980 took Trent Swim Club from 24th place to 3rd place at the “AA” Age Group Team Championships in 1 year. He was presented with the "Special Achievement Award" by the Ontario Swim Coaches Association in 1980, 1985 & 2005.

Reg is a Physical & Health Education major from the University of Windsor; was on the original design committee for the National Coaching Certification Program; was Program Advisor & Master Course Conductor for ESSO Swim Canada Awards and was a National Coaching Certification Level 1, 2 & 3 Course Conductor. He was also the Secretary of the Ontario Swim Coaches Association for 14 yrs. He is currently a director of Sport Aurora.

Reg was instrumental in convincing the Town of Aurora to build the Stronach Aurora Recreation Complex.

Reg designs the swim program, coaches the clubs competitive swimmers & ensures a high level of training for our coaching staff.

Sam Ducks Swimming is extremely pleased to welcome Sam Montgomery. Sam brings outstanding qualifications and experience to the team. Sam has a Masters degree in Physical Education and Sports Administration, has attended law school and is a National Coaching Certification Program Level 4 Coach. He has coached at all levels from Club to University at National and International levels in three countries (Guatemala, United States and Canada). He served on national team staffs for Canadian Youth and Junior National Team Tours, World Cup and “B” National Team Tours, Pan American Games, Pan Pacific Championships, Commonwealth Games and Olympic Games teams. His swimmers have broken numerous Provincial and National Records and have won over 50 National Championship medals. He coached for 2 years with the University of Alberta Golden Bears and Pandas Varsity Swim Teams, and the University of Alberta Swim Centre. He has also coached with the Olympian Swim Club and the Catalina Swim Club. Sam has served as a member of the Swimming Canada Board of Directors, SNC Executive, SNC’s High Performance, Domestic and Selection Committees, and has been the President of the Canadian Swimming Coaches Association. In 1995 he was awarded Swimming Canada’s “Presidents Award” for contribution to swimming in Canada. Sam and our coaches will continue to work on building Ducks Swimming in to a dynamic and exciting team with a focus on developing young swimmers and taking them to the highest levels of swimming.

Kelly Hughes ranked 8th In the World (200 Butterfly); placed 4th & 5th (200 & 100 fly) at the 1978 Commonwealth Games; 6th (200 fly) at the 1978 World championships; & 5th (200 Fly) at the 1979 Pan American Games. Canadian Record Holder (200 fly), & awarded an athletic scholarship to Arizona State University in 1980. Former Age Group Coach with Ducks Swimming, Master Ducks, Airdrie Swim Club in Alberta, U. of Toronto Masters, and North York Aquatic Club. National Coaching Certification Level II (in progress).

HEAD COACH – STOUFFVILLE
Nick Rottmann has been coaching since 1972 (35 years), is a Graduate of the University of Toronto (Engineering), is a National Coaching Certification Level III coach a Level I & II Course Conductor and is currently working on his Level IV. In his early years he moved from Assistant Coach to Head Coach at the Scarborough Swim Club, then Head Age Group Coach at the Hamilton Aquatic Club and then moved to the Head Coaching position at the Oakville Aquatic Club 1982-1985; leaving to be the Head Coach at the Barrie Aquatic Club from 1986 to 1998 where he coached them to a Nationally ranked team with many swimmers achieving finals at Nationals. From 2002 to 2004 he was the assistant coach in Richmond Hill and from 2004 to 2006 he coached with the Aurora Master Ducks. Last year he took the Head Coach position in Antigonish and is presently coaching 2008 Paralympics swimmer Devin Gotell at the Games in Beijing. In 1984 Nick was the Head Coach of the Ontario Canada Games Team and has been Head Coach or Assistant Coach on many Ontario Tour teams including tours to Australia, California and on Ontario Winter Games Teams. He has coached 6 National and 12 Ontario Age Group records; is the only coach to have won all 4 divisions of the Team Championships (there used to be 4 divisions) and has won the Coach of the Year Honours 3 times (84/89/99). Nick swam at the National level from 1969-1974. Placed 5th 200m breast at the 1971 Nationals; competed at 1972 Olympic Trials; was a member of the University of Toronto CIAU Champions 1971, 73, 74 and was inducted into their Swimming Hall of Fame in 2008. Nick still swims and has been a Master’s swimmer since 1975 and attended the World and National Masters Championships. In his spare time, Nick has been a board member of the National and Provincial Coaches Committees and has also done a stint as a substitute elementary school teacher. Nick has been a well known and respected coach for many years and will be a welcomed addition to Ducks Swimming.

Jana Jana comes to us from Stettler Swim Club in Alberta where she was the Head Coach for the last 4 years. She has moved into the area to be with her fiancé. She has a College Diploma in Fitness and Nutrition and has completed 2 years at the University of Victoria majoring in physical education. She is a NCCP Level 2 coach, a personal trainer, and has numerous Red Cross, Boating, Scuba Diving awards. Jana was the Assistant Coach at the 2008 Alberta Summer Games and in 2009 was the Alberta 11-12 year old Select Team Coach. Jana has also coached Rugby.

Christine Christine started swimming competitively at the age of 5, and continued on to become a Provincial Champion. “I have always loved swimming. Being in the water feels completely natural to me.” She now enjoys coaching young kids to help them learn the fundamentals of swimming while also developing a love for the sport. Christine designed and oversees our ‘Duckling Fitness’ program and our ‘Duck Skills Stroke Development’ program. “Incorporating fun, innovative ideas is a big part of my coaching strategy. When the swimmers have fun they stay motivated and excel quickly.” Five days a week she is pleased to coach the Bronze, Silver and Junior groups. You will also see her helping out at our interclub Fun Meets and social events. “We’re so proud of all our swimmers! See you around the pool!”

STROKE DEVELOPMENT COACH
Andrea James is in her fourth year of coaching with Ducks Swimming. She has 16 years of coaching experience, previously working with the Muskoka Aquatic Club and the Richmond Hill Aquatic Club. Andrea was co-awarded the Ontario Coach of the Year Award in 1999 for helping Muskoka secure an Ontario Team Championship. Thanks to her hard work and dedication to the sport, she was selected to serve as a Central Region coach at the Ontario Winter Games in 2000. Andrea enjoys working with swimmers of all ages and abilities, including her past work with the Adapted Physical Education Program at Variety Village. Andrea has completed her NCCP Level 3 Theory and Technical and plans to complete the Practical component soon. Andrea is excited to be part of the Ducks Swimming coaching staff. She looks forward to developing the skills of each swimmer to help reach his or her full potential, both in and out of the pool. Andrea is also the Meet Entry Co-ordinator for Aurora & Stouffville.

DIRECTOR OF SWIMMER HEALTH & REHABILITATION
Dr. Carey Avery D.C., Dr. Avery is the Director of Swimmer Health and Rehabilitation for the Ducks. Dr. Avery was a competitive swimmer throughout high school and university, and now swims for the Aurora Master Ducks Swim Team. He assesses, treats and/or refers out swimmers with injuries and other health related issues to ensure that they get the appropriate care for their condition (e.g. Chiropractic, Physiotherapy, Nutritional, Medical etc). He is also the team Chiropractor for the Master Ducks swim team and the Aurora Panthers Hockey Club as well. Dr. Avery runs St. Andrew's Chiropractic & Wellness in Aurora. He has practiced in both the United States and Canada. His office is a family practice that focuses on Active Lifestyles and Performance. Dr. Avery can usually be found on deck at practices alongside Coaches Peter and Reg.