Meet the Coaching Staff of 2009/2010







Head Coach:  Ian Grunewald -Senior Group Coach

Biography: 

Ian is extremely pleased to be working with the St. James Seals again this year, particularly in the capacity of Head Coach. This is Ian’s 15th year of coaching in Manitoba & his 4rd year coaching for the St. James Seals. Before becoming the Head Coach of St. James Seals Ian was the Junior Coach for the Seals & worked for several swim clubs in Manitoba. Ian has been the recipient of the Swim Manitoba Grassroots Coach of the Year for 2002 & 2004. Additionally, Ian was Global TV coach of the month in June 2005. Ian has coached several swimmers who have broken provincial records (14 in total), & has coached numerous provincial champions and medalist at age group nationals. Ian is certified NCCP skills Coach & Course Conductor, and is currently pursuing a higher classification in his coaching certification. Lastly Ian served as the Team Manager for Team Manitoba at the Canada Games 2005. Ian has a great deal of determination and drive & brings it to every practice. He is a well respected member of the coaching community & currently sits on the executive of the Swim Manitoba Coaches Association.

Interesting facts:

Ian is currently working at Elmwood High School where he is an English, History, Life Work Exploration teacher.



Assistant Head Coach/Junior Group Coach: Rhiannon Leier

Biography:

This is Rhiannon’s second year coaching with the St. James Seals & she is delighted to be taking on the position of Novice Coach. Rhiannon has worked as a coach for the Assiniboine Masters and the Manitoba Masters Swim Clubs. Rhiannon is a very accomplished swimmer as she was member of the Canadian National Swimming Team. From 2000 to 2004 she has represented Canada at many international competitions including the 2000 Sydney Olympics and the 2004 Athens Olympics. Some of Rhiannon’s major accomplishments include 13 national titles, 19 international medals, being named the 2004 Canadian Female Swimmer of the Year and being nominated for the 2001 and 2004 Manitoba Female Athlete of the Year Award.

Interesting facts:

Rhiannon holds two degree’s one being a Bachelor of Health Science from the University of Miami (FL), & Creative Communications from Red River College. She currently works as an account manager for Fusion Communications, & lives in Winnipeg with her husband and son.
 


Pups Administrator/Junior Group Coach: Emma Richardson:

Biography:

Emma Richardson spent 12 years swimming with the St. James Seals, from the time she was 6 to 18. Emma started in the Pups Program and worked her way up to the Senior Group; she thoroughly enjoyed every minute of her swimming ‘career’ with the St. James Seals. This is Emma’s 3rd year coaching with the St. James Seals, and she looking forward to not only coaching this year but also working as one of the Pups Program coordinators. In addition to working for the St. James Seals she also works for the City of Winnipeg as an Instructor/Guard. In order to work as an Instructor/Guard you have to have many qualifications such as the National Lifesaving Service, Water Safety Instructor, Lifesaving Instructor, First Aid and CPR Level C, and Aquatic Emergency Response Training; Emma has all of these qualifications as well as her Level I Coaching.

Interesting facts:

In addition to swimming Emma danced for 15 years. She graduated from high school in 2005 and is currently attending the University of Manitoba, working towards a Bachelor of Arts Degree; Political Studies is her major and History is her minor.

Pups Administrator/Coach: Jocelyn McLean

Biography:

Jocelyn is very excited to be back at the pool and in the water! This will be her fourth year coaching with the Seals Pups Program, and her first year co-running the show! Jocelyn has 9 years of competitive swimming experience, as well as experience teaching swimming in both the city programs and the YMCA programs. You will most likely find her on deck dancing or coaching the Mini Pups, Pups 1 or Pups 3 groups. Jocelyn can be available off deck before and after practices (as well as during the Pups 2 time) if you have any questions about the program.

Interesting facts:

Jocelyn is in her 3rd year of studies at the University of Winnipeg; majoring in Sociology.  She plays the drums, skydives, and loves live music as well as trying new things.  This past year she's taken kayaking, boxing and mandarin lessons and shaved her head.  However, no matter how hard she tries, she cannot dance.
 
Pups Coach - Brett Goldhawk

Mini Pups Coach Adara Geminder

Adara was very sad to leave the Seals at the end of last year, but is now delighted to be able to come back as a coach and part time swimmer. Adara loves the water and the St. James Seals swim team. She has been swimming for the past 9 years and is now heading on to her 10^th year of competitive swimming. She has recently been asked to join the University of Manitoba Bison swim team at the beginning of this fall and is enjoying it almost as much as being on the Seals. Over the summer she helped lifeguard kids out at Rock Lake United Church Camp and just loved working with them. Adara is very excited to pass on her knowledge of the sport and teach her little tricks to help her pups get stronger. She is very excited to work with the Mini Pups who are our building blocks of the future swim team and hopes that she can pass on her love for the sort onto her pups, (mini, 1, or 2). No matter what age Adara can’t wait to see what they all can do and how she can help them improve. While coaching Adara is attending the University of Manitoba (U1) and is enrolled in Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and Calculus and is hoping to continue into the faculty of science in her second year. She hopes to see everyone around the pool deck and get to know the parents as well as the kids she is coaching. See you around!