While small, the club has established itself as competitive, catering to swimmers competing at State level and embracing those who are younger and still developing their skills. The club is fortunate to have head coach Michael Abel running and developing their swimming pathways and technical program. 

Michael is a licensed coach with 30 years experience working with swimmers from the junior level through to competing on the national and world stage. He applies this extensive knowledge to developing technically comprehensive and detailed squad training programs, for groups and individuals.

He fully understands the pressures of work, school, and family, therefore, his long term holistic approach enables him to manage training effectively to get the most out of the athletes so they can achieve their full potential as they develop their skills.

He is always available to discuss his approach to coaching and his training programs with swimmers and parents.

In order to expand and develop the range of coaching services within the club, Michael is developing junior coaches, James Newall and Tim Tatchell who are both state/national level competitive swimmers.

James is a passionate and committed swimming coach. Having been a highly competitive swimmer himself, James thoroughly enjoys developing new swimmers and passing on his knowledge and experience. James has coaching experience from the Newcastle Forum and Lakeside Leisure Centre where he trained both high performance squads and development level squads. As part of his coaching development, he’s establishing a Junior Dolphins program at Stroud Community Pool. The program aims to bridge the gap between learn-to-swim and squad training. James hopes to attract young swimmers on Saturday mornings and Wednesday afternoons to Stroud and can be contacted via email at james@awstructures.com.au.

Tim is working as a learn to swim teacher and is developing his swimming coaching at Lakeside Leisure Cente. He also swims competitively and trains with Stroud Seals Swim Club.

Once a month, all three coaches can be found helping to run and organise the swimming club. Developing junior swimmers and helping kids achieve their potential requires commitment and vision, and these young coaches, under the guidance of Michael are developing their potential and developing young swimmers. 

Stroud Seals Swimming Club is a wonderful opportunity to come and meet the coaches, with the next date set for Sunday November 18 from 2 pm at the Stroud Community Pool.