COACHES

Kelly Steeves - Head Coach

Kelly has a background in Sport Administration and Coaching. He worked for 7 years as the Swim Ontario Technical Programs Coordinator and has coached swimming at the age group, university and Masters levels.

Interesting Fact: Kelly plays golf left-handed.

Coaching with LAC since 2015.


Donna Moskal - General Manager

Donna has coached from the Development level to the National level with LAC. She now supports the team as General Manager.

Interesting Fact: Donna has been coaching since 1976 and has only coached for two teams.

Coaching with LAC since 1984.


Liz Moskal - Head Age Group Coach

Liz is a proud LAC alumni, having represented the London Aquatic Club nationally. She joined our full time staff in 2010 and has been leading our age group program as the Head Age Group Coach since 2015.

...you could say she has swim coaching in her blood!

Interesting Fact: Liz was a figure skater for 14 years, most of these while she was a swimmer.

Coaching with LAC since 2005.


Kim Charteris - Head Development Coach & Intake Coordinator

Kim has a long history in swimming and with the London Aquatic Club. She swam for the London Y Aquatic Club in the 1970's, then coached for LYAC (along with Donna) in the 1980's, before moving to Kitchener where she coached for the Kitchener-Waterloo Aquatic Club, spending 3 years as their Head Coach. Kim's career outside of the pool saw her have exensive experience in the not for profit sector in both governance and operations and she has a masters in science specializing in adolescent brain development.

Interesting Fact: Kim coached on 2 Ontario provincial tour teams and at the Ontario Winter Games.

Coaching with LAC (again) since 2018.


Andrew Craven - LAC Mentor Coach

Three-time recipient of Petro-Canada Coaching Excellence Awards.8-time recipient of Ontario Swim Coaches Council awards. 2003 recipient of the Swimming Canada President's Award. National Coaching Institute Level IV Advanced Coaching Diploma (Nov 2012). Head coach at the 2000 Paralympics and the 2002 IPC World Championships. Staff coach at the1998 IPC World Championships and the 2008 Paralympics. 3-time Swim Ontario Coach of the Year. Coaching since 1986. Andrew was Head Coach of LAC from 2012 - 2022.

Interesting fact: Andrew believes the Toronto Maple Leafs will win the Stanley Cup in his lifetime.

Coaching with LAC since 1992.


Cassie Ellis - Strength & Conditioning Coach

Cassie has an extensive background in kinesiology and nutrition. She swam with LAC when she was younger before switching her focus to ballet. Cassie teaches the dryland strength training program as well as yoga to Age Group Blue and above. Cassie received her PhD in Kinesiology with a focus on The Psychological Basis of Movement at Western University, and has worked with athletes from a variety of different sports, including professional athletes.

Interesting Fact: Cassie grew up with Liz!

Coaching with LAC since 2013.


Darda Sales - Para & Assistant Coach

Darda swam with LAC for 9 years. She represented Canada three times at the Paralympics in swimming bringing home two medals, and in 2016 represented Canada at the Rio Paralympics in wheelchair basketball. Darda has previous coaching experience in Orillia and Ingersoll, and re-joined the LAC coaching team in 2018 after 2 years in Alabama pursuing a Masters degree.

Interesting Fact: Darda loves peanut butter on toast.


Meggin Moffatt - Senior Gold/Silver Lead Assistant Coach

Meggin swam for 7 years with LAC.

Interesting Fact: Meggin completed Teachers College in Scotland.

Coaching with LAC since 2001.


Shannon Nell - Age Group Bronze Lead Coach

Shannon was a national level swimmer from 2003-2014, swimming for both LAC and Western University, and represented Canada twice as a junior swimmer at the North American Challenge Cup.

Interesting Fact: Shannon has worked on the sets of many popular shows and movies, including It, Murdoch Mysteries, Saving Hope, and Kim's Convenience.

Coaching with LAC since 2014.


Jonathan Korchuk - Senior Blue Lead Coach

Jonathan swam for LAC during high-school and continued swimming at University of Waterloo while completing an Honours Mathematics CO-OP degree. Jonathan has been a Masters swim coach (8+ years), a volunteer Senior Gold LAC coach (2014/15), and a competitive masters swimmer and triathlete with several top 3 finishes at Canadian Masters Swimming Championships. He has also completed Level 1 and 2 NCCP swim coach training and is Level 1 Certified.

Interesting Fact: Jonathan loves to do canoe trips on the French River and Algonquin Park.

Coaching with LAC since 2014.


Emma Tarrataca - Age Group Orange Lead Coach

Emma swam with LAC for 6 years, and completed a Health Sciences degree at Western University.

Interesting Fact: Emma has dual citizenship for Canada & Portugal.

Coaching with LAC since 2013.


Gabbi Whitlock - Age Group Supply Coach

Gabbi comes to LAC from a background in triathlon, having coached the sport at every level for the past 25 years. She was named Triathlon Ontario Coach of the Year in 2018 and coached at the 2018 Ontario Summer Games, as well as being selected as a coach for the 2021 Canada Games. Gabbi is excited to join the LAC team and return to her competitive swimming roots.

Coaching with LAC since 2019.


Maxwell Burton - Age Group White Lead Coach

Max is in his second year at Western University studying history, and swam for LAC for 6 years.

Coaching with LAC since 2021.


Hilary Bruce - Fundamental Skills Lead Coach

Coaching with LAC since 2020.


Paulina Bond - Senior Gold and Silver Assistant Coach

Paulina first joined LAC in 2015 while she was completing her degree at Western University. She represented Western as a Varsity Swimmer for 5 years at the CIS level, culminating her career as a 3-time National Champion. Paulina also represented LAC at the 2016 Canadian Olympic Swimming Trials. She has been proud to swim alongside many great athletes at LAC and Western, now channeling her passion for swimming into coaching.

Interesting Fact: Paulina has completed Teacher's College at Western University, and has been an assistant coach with Western since 2018.Coaching with LAC since 2019.


Adam Purdy - Senior Blue Assistant Coach

Adam has been a part of the LAC family for over 30 years. First joining the club in the early 90’s as one LAC’s first para swimmers and working closely with Coach Donna Moskal and Coach Andrew Craven, Adam went on the compete in 6 sets of World championships and 3 paralympic games. Taking home double-gold medals at the Sydney 2000 Games was a highlight in his swimming career, but his favourite event was the 2015 Para Pan American Games in Toronto. He has held world records in the 50m, 100m, and 200m backstroke in the S6 para swimming category.

Adam is passionate about competitive swimming and believes that through hard work, dedication, and focus, anyone can achieve their goals!

 

Interesting Fact:

Adam obtained a master’s degree in Sport Leadership and Management from Western University and did it during the pandemic. He can also make amazing banana pancakes.

Coaching with LAC since 2023


Amy Leger - Senior Blue Assistant Coach

Amy was a competitive swimmer for 12 years up North in her hometown of Sudbury, ON. She has recently moved to London to complete her master’s degree in occupational therapy at Western University. She has been in a coaching role for 8 years, but this is her first year with LAC. Amy has worked with a wide variety of swimmers from introduction, fitness, and age group swimmers.

Interesting Fact: Amy comes from a family of coaches/aquatics! You could say it’s in her blood…


Mel Rice - Age Group Blue Lead Coach

Mel was a national level swimmer for the Pointe Claire Swim Club, Swim Brock Niagara and Western University, and is now in her 6th year of Masters swimming with the London Silver Dolphins. She previously coached with LAC from 1997-2000, and now works full time at 3M as a Global Portfolio Manager. Mel has 3 children, 1 of whom graduated as an LAC alumi in 2023.

Interesting Fact: Mel has travelled to Europe, South America and Asia for work.

Coaching with LAC since 2017.

 

David Hickey - Age Group Bronze Assistant Coach

David is an LAC alumni who currently studies at Western University where he competes nationally for the varsity swim team.

Fun Fact: Coach David can be found on the LAC Club Record Board!

Coaching with LAC since 2023


Alex Beckett - Age Group White Assistant Coach

Alex is currently studying at Western University and is a proud LAC alumni. 

Coaching with LAC since 2022


Julia Forsey - Development Assistant Coach

 

Coaching with LAC since 2022

 
 

Jacob Seddon – Age Group Blue Assistant Coach

Coaching with LAC since 2023


Slava Zagidulin - Lead Development Coach

Slava currently studies at Western University in computer science and swims for the Mustangs. He has competed at both the provincial and junior national levels as a member of LAC and is hoping to qualify for the USport (national) Championships in 2022.

Coaching with LAC since 2021.