AusLeisure

One of Queensland’s most experienced and awarded swim centre operators, Rackley Swimming, has announced the appointment of David Proud as Lead Coach – Endurance Swimming at the Miami Aquatic Centre, commencing July 2025.

In this role, Proud will spearhead the development of endurance-focused swimmers, specialising in the 400m, 800m, and 1500m events, as well as 5km to 10km open-water races, strengthening the already dynamic squad program.

Anastasia Ellerby, Director of Rackley’s Coaching Programs enthused “we are thrilled to welcome a coach of David's calibre and experience to our already strong Miami coaching team. His expertise will enhance our squad training programs, which currently support over 400 junior, regional, national, and open swimmers across pool, surf, and open-water sports.”

Proud brings a wealth of experience from both the UK and Australia. He has contributed to high-performing programs at institutions such as The Southport School (TSS), Nudgee College, Swimming Australia’s Brisbane Performance Hub, and most recently, NSW Southern Performance Centre. As a former athlete, he represented Great Britain at the 2002 European Championships and the 2003 and 2005 World Championships in open water swimming.

He has coached numerous elite endurance athletes, including Australian Dolphins Kiah Melverton, Kai Edwards, Jess Walker, Maddy Gough, Thomas Raymond, Bianca Crisp, and Tiana Kritzinger.

Reflecting on his appointment, Proud shared “Miami has a great tradition of high- performance endurance swimming. When I arrived in Australia in 2010, it was one of the first programs I visited to gain experience, and I was struck by the strong environment within the program and club. I’m excited to contribute to the team of coaches and swimmers already in place.”

Miami Swimming Club President Tony Windle congratulated Proud on his appointment adding “this appointment really cements the swimming pathway we’ve been building alongside the Rackley team - a fully structured program leading all the way to elite levels. The added focus on performance endurance perfectly complements our existing strengths. We’re excited about what we can achieve in 2025–26 - our 50th year - and beyond.”

The Entire Miami team looks forward to the expertise Proud brings, further strengthening the program’s commitment to excellence in swimming.

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