Born and raised in New Zealand until I was 9 when we moved to South Africa in the early 70’s, I consider myself a True Southern Hemisperian. I have travelled and lived around the world most of my adult life, working with children in various fields, until I landed in Abu Dhabi 13 years ago with a 1 year old son and my husband.
In 2008 I was looking for a Swimming Teacher for my 3 year old son and one day while watching his lesson I was asked if I would be interested in training to be a swimming teacher. That is how my career as a Swimming Teacher began and I now view swimming as a life skill and not just a fun activity.
In 2011 I was asked to become business partners in a small swimming school where I specialised in offering lessons from parents and toddlers level through to stroke development. That is when I realised that I have a gift for working with children and adults that have a fear of water, and began to look at swimming in a different light. I got my training in Teaching Swimming to “People of Determination” and added that to my personal skills agenda. I also got my qualifications in Competitive Coaching at that time but never really got to use it. I had the pleasure of being in a fantastic business venture for 5 years. This allowed me to build a solid reputation in Abu Dhabi as a strong, reliable & passionate swimming teacher at many levels of teaching. In 2016 my business partner left to return to New Zealand, and I was once again at a crossroad in my life.
BIS Abu Dhabi had just opened their new 25m pool and being a parent in the school I volunteered to come assist with the swimming program. This led to a fulltime position in the school where I coached from Nursery through to the Swim Squad. I established & ran a program called “Swimfit” which allowed the Secondary children to develop their swimming skills and their water fitness
I then had an opportunity to work within another swim company. This gave me the opportunity to expand and enhance my coaching skills in competitive swimming and I had the pleasure of managing & running the Secondary swim squad program for the school. I was also involved in the Water Polo Team and assisted with the coaching of that.
I believe in BIS Abu Dhabi, having been a parent in this school since 2009, and I have watched the school grow and flourish. I love the Ethos of BIS Abu Dhabi so once again I have the absolute pleasure of joining the PE department. I am excited about being a part of developing and taking the swimming department to the next level.