Nothing is a greater influence on the quality of
children’s sports than the excellence of the
coach. Green Mountain Aquatics staff includes 2 full-time
co-head coaches and over 12 part-time coaches. They, as
certified USA Swimming coaches and members of ASCA, have
access to the most comprehensive training and certification program
for youth coaches in the United States. They possess training
and experience in the physiology and psychology of child
development as well as the most current technical information about
competitive swimming. Our coaching staff provides the
assurance that the time your children spend in swimming will be
quality time.
The coaches must be in total control of matters affecting
training and competition:
1. The
coaches are responsible for placing team members in
practice groups. This is based on the age and the ability
level of each individual. When it is in the best interest of a
swimmer, he or she will be placed in a more appropriate training
group by the coach.
2.
Sole responsibility for stroke instruction and the training regimen
rests with the Green Mountain Aquatics coaching staff. Each
group’s practices are based on sound scientific principles
and are geared to the specific goals of that group. All
practices are designed for the long-term progress of the
group.
3. The
coaching staff will make the final decision concerning which meets
Green Mountain Aquatics swimmers may attend. The coaching
staff makes the final decision concerning which events a swimmer is
entered into.
4. At
meets, the coaching staff will conduct and supervise warm-up
procedures for the team. After each race, the coaches will
offer feedback regarding the swimmers performance (it is the
parent’s job to offer love and understanding regardless of
their youngster’s performance.)
5. The
building of a relay team is the sole responsibility of the coaching
staff.
If you have any questions or problems, please see Laura
Matuszak (GMA-Burlington) or Laurie
Albert (GMA-Upper Valley). The coaching staff is
constantly updating and improving the Green Mountain Aquatics
program. It is the swimmers’ and the parents’
responsibility to make the most out of the excellent opportunity
this program provides for success in swimming.
GMA COACHES: Please click HERE to link to our GMA Coaches Google
Calendar.
Laura
Matuszak, Head Coach and Team Co-Founder, Green Mountain
Aquatics - Burlington, Senior/ Sectional/ National
Groups
Masters Degree, Clinical Psychology, Saint
Michael's College and BA, University of
Michigan.
Involved in competitive swimming for
twenty-seven years.
Coaching with Green Mountain Aquatics since
1996.
ASCA Certified Level 3
Coach.
Has served the New
England swimming community in the following capacities: New
England Swimming General Chair (present), New England Zone Coach,
New England Coaches' Representative, New England Age Group Chair,
New England Technical Chair.
Has served the USA
Swimming community in the following capacities: 2005 Regional
Distance Camp Assistant Coach, 2007 Zone Select Camp Team Manager,
2009 National Select Camp Assistant Coach, 2009 Southern Zone
Select Camp Head Coach.
American Swim Coaches Association Fellow for
the year of 2001-2002.
ASCA Age Group Coach of the Year for New
England Swimming.
In 2006, Coach Matuszak
started her own business, Green Mountain Sports Performance,
LLC. GMSP runs the Green Mountain Aquatics Swim Team,
Green Mountain Aquatics Swim School and Green Mountain Aquatics
Sports Psychology Consulting.
Coaching philosophy: "I
enjoy getting to know each of our athletes and all of our parents
throughout their long term involvement in Green Mountain
Aquatics. I believe that the lessons that can be learned
through the challenging sport of swimming can help our young people
throughout their developing lives. Most importantly, it is a
true honor to help our athletes chase their dreams and achieve
their goals."
Interests: Sports psychology, social
psychology, reading, kayaking and hanging out with my husband and
our dog, Ruckus.
Tim Bard, Assistant Coach, Green
Mountain Aquatics - Burlington, Regional Group
BA Degree in Film, The Evergreen State
College
Involved in competitive swimming at the
age group, college, and master’s levels.
Member of New England Masters Team at LC
Masters Nationals in 2008
Coaching with Green Mountain aquatics
since 2008.
Coaching
Philosophy: “ Swimming is a great sport and my
philosophy includes making swimming fun and accessible. As a coach,
I enjoy helping swimmers improve, challenge themselves, and support
each other both in and out of the pool. A good swimmer starts
with a solid base!”
Interests: Any activity involving a mix
of sun and Lake Champlain, hiking, running, open water swimming and
music.
Involved in competitive
swimming as athlete, parent, and coach for a
lifetime.
Coaching with Green
Mountain Aquatics since 2002.
USAT Level I Certified
Triathlon Coach
Visionary behind Youth
Triathlon Team- Lake Champlain Triathlon Tribe
All-American Age Group
Triathlete
Coaching Philosophy:
“ I believe that any goal is achievable with dedication,
perseverance, planning, a can-do attitude, and a little humor. I
love to work with young athletes guiding their energies into
dreaming big, setting goals, and enjoying the process along the way
to success.”
Interests: open
water swimming, triathlon, trail running, epic canoe trips,
parenting, and a 3:00 p.m. cup of coffee with an oatmeal raisin
cookie.
Coach Eileen
Hall, Assistant Coach, Green Mountain Aquatics -
Burlington, Senior/ Sectional/ National Group
Student at Johnson State
College
Involved in
competitive swim coaching for 15 years.
Coached with Green Mountain Aquatics since
2005.
ASCA Certified Level 2
Coach.
Saint Michael’s College Men’s and
Women’s Swim Team Assistant Coach
High School All-American
Swimmer
Swim
Mom
Coaching
Philosophy: “In my coaching I strive to encourage young
athletes to take personal responsibility in the process of setting
and achieving meaningful goals. I hope to impart to GMA athletes
the value of owning the process, and acknowledging the joy of
accomplishment that comes with the fulfillment of one’s
goals.”
Coach Nick
Mack, Assistant Coach, Green Mountain Aquatics -
Burlington, Regional and Age Groups Group
BA Mathematics, St
Michael’s College
Obtaining VMI (UVM)
Masters in Mathematics
Coaching with Green
Mountain Aquatics since 2004.
ASCA Certified Level 2
Coach
Former GMA Team
Captain
K-5 Math
Teacher
Coaching Philosophy:
“I enjoy my role in helping young swimmers improve their
stroke technique by expanding their understanding of basic stroke
mechanics.”
Interests:
Master’s swimming, biking, house renovations.
Jess Tuttle, Assistant Coach, Green
Mountain Aquatics - Burlington, Age Groups Group
BA
Sociology, Ithaca College 2000
Involved in Competitive Swimming since
3rd grade at the Age Group, High School, and Collegiate
level.
Coaching with Green Mountain Aquatics
since 2001.
Coaching Philosophy: “Swimming not
only fosters life-long health but also builds self-esteem,
camaraderie, and friendships. I enjoy taking part in this
experience with our GMA athletes.”
Interests: Skiing, triathlons, traveling
the world, NOT cooking, and loving
Vermont.
