Australian Coaching Move:David Proud Takes Up Newly Created Endurance Coaching Role At Miami Swimming Club
Journeyman coach David Proud will make the move back to Queensland to take up a newly created Rackley Swimming role at Miami Aquatic Centre on the Gold Coast, just 12 months after taking up a major role in Sydney.
The former British open water swimmer and respected distance coach has accepted a role as Lead Coach for Endurance Swimming at Miami, starting in July 2025.
ON DECK: David Proud, coaching the coaches at the SCTA Four Corners Session at the SCTA 2023 Conference Photo Courtesy Wade Brennan (SCTA)
After stints at three Queensland programs, TSS Aquatic, Nudgee College and Chandler at the Swimming Australia Brisbane Performance Hub, Proud made the move to Sydney last year as head coach of the NSW Southern Performance Centre based out of Sydney’s Sutherland Leisure Centre.
But Proud returns to Queensland following Olympic coach Richard Scarce’s move from Miami to the head coach role at TSS Aquatic (Southport, Gold Coast).
The Miami program became one of the most celebrated high-performance centres in Australian Swimming – made famous by Olympic gold medal coach Denis Cotterell – the man credited with the success of so many great champions, led by two-time Olympic champion Grant Hackett and fellow Olympians Andrew Baildon, Daniel Kowalski, Ky Hurst, Giaan Rooney, Joanne Meehan, Daniel Smith, Jon Sieben, Toby Haenan and Thomas Fraser-Holmes amongst a proud history of over 50 internationals.
The pool christened the Denis Cotterell Pool Of Champions.
And in true Cotterell tradition, Proud will focus on enhancing the squad program, training swimmers in the 400m, 800m, and 1500m events, as well as in 5-10km open-water distances under head coach Paul Crosswell.
IF THE CAP FITS: David Proud and Paralympic gold medallist Will Martin Photo Courtesy Wade Brennan (SCTA)
Proud reflected on Miami’s a great tradition of high-performance endurance swimming.
“When I arrived in Australia in 2010, it was one of the programs I visited to gain experience, and I was impressed by the strong environment within the program and club. I am excited to contribute to the team of coaches and swimmers already in place,” Proud said.
The former British international distance swimmer worked under celebrated Olympic gold medal coach Vince Raleigh after plying his trade alongside another highly regarded Olympic coach, another Englishman in Chris Nesbit – now head of Carlile Swimming.
In 2022 Proud was named the Swimming Coaches And Teachers Association Multi-Class Coach of the Year after coaching Will Martin to Tokyo Paralympic gold in the 400 freestyle S9 and gold in the 100m butterfly in world record time.
He was also instrumental in preparing Kai Edwards for the Olympic Open Water 10km under Nesbit’s reign in Tokyo as well as working with endurance athletes who have competed internationally, including Australian Dolphins such as Kiah Melverton, Jess Walker, Maddy Gough, Thomas Raymond, Bianca Crisp, and Tiana Kritzinger.
As an athlete, Proud excelled in open water events, representing Great Britain at the 2002 European Championships and the 2003 and 2005 World Championships.
Anastasia Ellerby, Director of Rackleys Coaching Programs said: “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, serving over 400 junior, regional, national, and open swimmers across pool, surf, and open water sports.”
