We are based at the Abbotsleigh School Aquatic Centre in Wahroonga on Sydney’s north shore. Swimmers train in our 8 lane 25m indoor facility, and Gold squad also swim nearby in the 50m indoor Knox and PLC pools.
Swimmers are coached by Abbotsleigh School Aquatic Centre staff and coaching fees are paid directly to them. Abbotsleigh Swimming Club is a separate organisation and charge a membership fee.
Anybody is eligible to join us – boys and girls! We cater for a wide variety of swimmers from those just out of “learn to swim” through to an elite level. Most Mini Marlins, Junior Challenge, White, Black and Gold Squad Members are required to join, and we encourage any swimmers who would like to experience competition to consider joining.
Abbotsleigh Swim Club schedules both timed Club nights and fun swim races each term which are strategically placed in the competition calendar. We are affiliated with Swimming NSW and the Swimming Metro North East (SMNE) Area. We regularly attend external meets.
The Abbotsleigh Swimming Club is a not for profit organisation run by a voluntary management committee and relies on the assistance of parents to provide club racing and support to our swimmers.
Our Coaches
Amanda Isaac (All Squads with primary focus on Gold)
Amanda is a Gold license coach who is passionate about building a successful culture and motivated to strive for excellence. She has a broad experience across all ages and has produced Australian representatives in Junior, Senior and Paralympic teams since 2007. She was Head Coach at Nunawading Swimming Club in Victoria, where she has led the Club over the last 7 years to its most successful period in 55 years. Achievements include Nunawading being recognised as the Australian Premier Club on 4 occasions and being listed among the top 10 clubs at Age Nationals for the last 9 years in succession.
Amanda has been a coach on several Australian teams in all disciplines including still water, open water and Paralympic swimming. Her other career highlights include her appointment in 2016 to the AIS Performance Coach Program; coach of the Swimming Victoria Gold Squad; coach on an 2015 Australian Youth XCamp; coach at the World University Games to name but a few.
Joao Loureiro (Black Squad)
Jay (Joao) is originally from Portugal, where he competed as a swimmer. After moving to Australia in 2014, Jay started working at various roles from learn to swim all the way up to competitive squads. With a Degree and master’s degree in physical education and sports Jay has had a numerous swimmer competing at Junior State Championships and winning medals at these events. And also Athletes competing at Senior State championships and National Championships.
Jay in association with his Silver License he is also a certified personal trainer and holds a ASCA Strength and Conditioning license.
In 2019 Jay coached an Athlete who represented the Australian Team and won 2 gold medals at the recent 2019 Special Olympic World Championships in Abu Dhabi.
Outside of swimming, Jay is known for spending most of his time doing outdoor sports or at the gym training. In 2019 he participated in the TV show Australian Ninja Warrior where he achieved the semi-finals.
Leon Hartman (White & Junior Challenge Squads)
We would like to welcome Leon to our coaching team. Leon has previously worked at Abbotsleigh, and started working on our deck in December 2016. Leon is passionate about swimming and assisting swimmers to be their best. Leon has worked across a few programs, and brings this experience with him. He is excited to be part of Team ABB and is learning the ABB style and attitude – Fun and Fast. I am sure you will make him feel welcome as he gets used to his new environment.
Our Committee
| President | Amanda Isaac |
| Secretary | Leon Hartman |
| Treasurer | Emily Ong |
| Race Secretary | Joao Loureiro |
| Membership registrar | Joao Loureiro |
| Other members | - |
Handbook
The Abbotsleigh Swimming Handbook is available here.
Contact Us
All of the above can be contacted using the swim club (abbswimclub@gmail.com) email address, or via the contact us web form.