COACHES

BRIAN LINDSAY - HEAD  COACH

Youth Coach with 35 years of coaching experience in various sports, the last twelve years of which have been in the sport of swimming. He is a fully certified NCCP Level 3 Coach. He serves currently on the Board of Directors for the Ontario Swim Coaches Association and Central Region Board. Brian constantly endeavours to instil a feeling of accomplishment, even creativity, in the athletes that he coaches. It is his aim to empower athletes to evaluate for themselves what they have achieved. He strongly feels that it is important for the athlete to comprehend what led to their improvement or failure, by understanding the why and the how of practice sessions and techniques. With this understanding the athletes realize the purpose of their training program, the results it can produce and become more cooperative and personally motivated. He has a genuine commitment to see athletes succeed in their sport, in their academics, and in life, through challenging them with new experiences.

COACHING PHILOSOPHY As Head Group Coach, his philosophy is to create an environment for the athlete to develop skills related to teamwork, perseverance, sportsmanship, dedication, and learning how to handle adversity. He has developed an age-appropriate training program which allows swimmers to develop their skills and techniques to the highest level possible and for each swimmer to set realistic personal goals in a positive learning environment, all of which will provide a foundation for success in all aspects of life.   Within the context of his program there is a correlation between the disbursement of praise and recognition and hard work. Carefully rewarded praise and recognition makes any athlete feel important. This he believes leads to a sense of trust and respect between the swimmer and himself. He believes that young athletes need to be challenged. Athletes look to their coaches for direction and strength during the times when they are challenged.  Helping them to be strong when coping with unforeseen circumstances will prepare them to effectively deal with stress presented by the nature of their activity.  It is when the athlete accepts that they can positively deal with the challenges they face that they are able to realize their true potential and achieve their dream.   A coach is just one variable in the equation for this success which involves the athlete, parents and coach working in harmony to create a successful outcome. In summary, he dedicates himself to creating a learning atmosphere which will prepare young swimmers for their future.   He wants them to enjoy their sport through all stages of their life, whether they are competing or not.  He wants them to experience the joys and disappointments that come from their participating in swimming and to be able to apply the lessons learned to all aspects of their life. Email Coach Brian

STEVE DOWNS - NCCP SKILLS COACH - BRONZE AND GREEN PROGRAM

Steve’s most recent experience was with the North York Aquatic Club where he coached for three seasons.  During this time he was responsible for the top eleven and under age group swimmers.  This past season the NYAC 10 and under girls relay team swept all four gold medals at long course provincials.  Prior to that Steve coached with Newmarket, Ducks Swimming, Makos Swim Club, Trent Swim Club, Nepean Kanata Barracudas and the Windsor Aquatic Club.

Steve brings with him over 20 years experience as a swimming coach. He has coached swimmers of all ages and ability levels, from Intro to National level. He is also currently the Head Coach of the Markham Masters Swim Club, where he enjoys working with adults ranging from recreational swimmers to National Record Holders.  Before starting his coaching career in 1989, Steve was a provincial level swimmer with the Windsor Aquatic Club.  His experiences as both a swimmer and a coach have allowed him to develop and refine his coaching philosophy, which is that all young athletes should perfect the fundamentals of their sport as well as bringing a positive attitude and strong work ethic to each and every practice.  Successes in the swimming come from a commitment to excellence in and out of the pool. Challenging an athlete to grow a person is the best strategy for success as a swimmer.
Steve is looking forward to being a part of the Markham Aquatic Club and assisting the swimmers to reach their highest potential as both swimmers and people.

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KENNETH NG - NCCP SKILLS COACH - GOLD AND SILVER PROGRAM

Kenneth is an Assistant Coach with Markham Aquatic Club.  He works with Brian, assisting him with the Gold and Silver programs. Ken did the MAC Competitive Summer Camp Program this past summer.  This is his third year with the Club. However his coaching career didn't begin with Markham, he has previously coached for the Richmond Hill Aquatic Club for three years ranging from Pre-competitive to a group equivalent to Silver, Torch in their pre-competitive program and corrected stroke program for Toronto Streamline Swim Club.

Before entering the coaching stream, Ken swam competitively for 11 years with multiple swim teams learning from over ten different coaches. Kenneth reached the Junior National Level and placed sixth place in his best event, the 100m Breaststroke at the Ontario Provincials Championship at the age of 14.

He is currently studying Environmental Management at York University. He continues to strives to expand his knowledge in his studies and coaching while encouraging and teaching his swimmers to put in 110% effort in the pool.

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RICHARD FERNANDEZ - AGE GROUP COACH - COLOUR GROUPS COACH

Assistant Coach Richard Fernandez has over two years of coaching experience with Markham Aquatic Club, and more than six years as a swimming teacher with the YMCA and the Town of Markham. Richard joined the Markham Aquatic Club at the age of 10 in 1995 in Age Group One, which is now considered Colours.  After two and half years he advanced to the Senior Group.  As a former Junior National swimmer, his best events were the 200m butterfly, the 100m butterfly, and the 100m backstroke. In his last year as a competitor in MAC, he assisted in coaching the pre-competitive team. Along with Markham Aquatic Club, Richard was a coach and avid participator of the Brother Andre High School swim team. Currently enrolled in Ryerson University, he hopes to obtain his degree in engineering. In his spare time, he enjoys working on cars, cooking, and creating jewelery. His quick thinking and adaptability as a teacher enables him to readily  accommodate, implement, and excel the performance of his swimmers. Richard hopes to pass on his experience and knowledge to the future generations of swimmers.

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DANICA MILOSEVIC - NCCP SKILLS COACH - PRE-COMPETITIVE COACH

Danica Milosevic is a NCCP Skills Coach and one of the dynamic duo of Pre-competitive Coaches for the Markham Aquatic Club. She also assists Head Age Group Coach Brian Lindsay with the Gold and Silver Group Programs and Richard Fernandez with the Colour Groups Program. She continues to be a part of the very successful team of Coaches that staff our Summer Camp Program. This very versatile Coach is in her third year with the Coaching Staff of the Markham Aquatic Club. Before joining the MAC Coaching she was a swimmer with MAC for 6 years, beginning at age 12. After 2 years of swimming she moved up to the Senior group where she swam until her retirement as a Competitive swimmer in 2007.  Her favourite events were the 200m breaststroke and 1500m free.

She is currently in her second year at York University and is working towards obtaining a BSc in Kinesiology. She is a valued member of our Coaching Staff and freely shares her experiences and knowledge gained from her years as competitive swimmer to all of the swimmers that she works with.

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FAWNA LOVATSIS - NCCP SKILLS COACH - PRE-COMPETITIVE COACH

Fawna Lovatsis is a NCCP Skills Coach and one of the dynamic duo of Pre-competitive Coaches for the Markham Aquatic Club. She assists Head Age Group Coach Brian Lindsay with the Gold and Silver Group Program, Richard Fernandez with the Colour Group Program. She continues to be a part of the very successful team of Coaches that staff our Summer Camp Program. This very versatile Coach is in her second year with the Coaching Staff of the Markham Aquatic Club.

Like other MAC JR. Coaches, Fawna was a competitive swimmer that grew up with the MAC Family of swimmers.  She was no nonsense kind of swimmer that did not shy away from challenges presented to her by her coaches.  The 200m Butterfly was one of her favourite events.

She is currently in her second year at York University and is working towards obtaining a Bachelor of Arts, Major Sociology, Minor French. She is a valued member of our Coaching Staff and freely shares her experiences and knowledge gained from her years as competitive swimmer to all of the swimmers that she works with.

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