Hamilton Aquatics has appointed Mat Woofe as its inaugural Head Coach.

Hamilton Aquatics, the recently amalgamated Ace Swimming Club and Hillcrest Swimming club is thrilled to welcome Mat on-board. Mat’s experience and commitment to the sport, combined with the vision of the new club bode well for an exciting future for swimming in Hamilton.

“Hamilton Aquatics amalgamation committee is working hard to achieve the best for their members and this appointment of Mat is one of the important foundation blocks in the new club formation,” says the Ace Swimming Club President Edward Hardie.

Hillcrest Swimming Club representative Richard Coombes emphasises, “The level of engagement and excitement at all levels that Mat will bring is something we are looking forward to.”

Joining us from Swimming New Zealand, Mat brings a wealth of knowledge across the board, including a deep understanding of swimming at the highest level. Mat has achieved numerous successes in his role as a Performance Coach based at the National Training Centre on Auckland’s North Shore, including placing swimmers on several senior pinnacle teams, most recently guiding Bradlee Ashby to two 5th placings at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games. Prior to this role, Mat worked as a National Coach in one of Australia’s most renowned programs at Melbourne Vicentre Swimming Club.

Commencing on the 4th of June, Mat says “This is an exciting opportunity for me and swimming in Hamilton. What has already been achieved with the two clubs coming together shows a lot of forethought from the parties involved, I’m looking forward to the challenge of building one of New Zealand’s premier swimming programs at all levels.”

Swimming New Zealand’s Gary Francis is supportive of the change in Waikato’s swimming landscape and see’s great opportunities for both Mat and the club. He added “I believe this is a wonderful opportunity for both Mat and Hamilton Aquatics. Mat brings international experience and excellent philosophy on long term development of swimmers. At the same time, we at Swimming New Zealand will really miss the contribution and commitment that Mat has made over the past four years. We wish him all the success that his work ethic, knowledge and commitment to excellence will surely bring to the Hamilton program, which will benefit not just the Hamilton club, but New Zealand Swimming as a whole.”

Hamilton Aquatics is eager to have him inspire and nurture our swimmers to do extraordinary things and furthermore watch him take the Hamilton club from a strong regional program to an outstanding national force.