Rhys has been a member of Swansea Aquatics for nearly 20 years, starting off as an entry level swimmer, progressing to Welsh National level swimmer, and then taking his first steps into coaching at 16 years old, and then given his first lead coach role at 18. At 20, Rhys then subsequently has been a Performance coach for Swansea Aquatics predominantly coaching the junior performance squads. During this time, Rhys has had multiple swimmers medal at Welsh National level, coached swimmers on to British County Championships teams with Swim Wales, had swimmers selected for the Swim Wales National Development Camps, and has coached a swimmer to the British Summer Championship finals on 50m, 100m and 200m Breaststroke in 2022. Rhys has also been selected on to the Swim Wales National Development Coaching Team for 4 consecutive seasons, whilst also being selected to represent Swim Wales at the British County Championships consecutively in 2023, and 2024.
In 2024, Rhys was appointed Assistant Head Coach to Keith Haynes, and continues to produce Welsh National qualifiers and finalists. In this role, Rhys works closely with the Head Coach, and leads on the Recruitment for the club ensuring that Swansea Aquatics is always seen as a viable option for all swimmers of all abilities who wish to achieve their full potential.
‘I strongly believe in the Long-Term Athlete Development and Optimal Athlete Development frameworks, and these are a very key component of my philosophy where I look to give each individual swimmer the best tools to be the very best that they can be, both in the pool and outside. I am aligned with the clubs vision that all swimmers need to be coached with the long-term development of each swimmer being the absolute priority.
The three main components of my coaching philosophy that I try and instil in each swimmer/person are:
1. Excellent work ethic
2. Punctuality
3. Self-confidence
These 3 things I believe are key components to becoming an excellent swimmer and person. I always encourage my swimmers to dream big, and encourage them to believe that they themselves can be the very best. Our pathway in Swansea is very unique, and provides all swimmers with access to world class facilities and a pathway to world-class coaching with our excellent relationship with Swim Wales and Swansea University. To represent the City of Swansea has always been, and will always be an absolute honour, and I want nothing more than to see a swimmer from Swansea win Olympic Gold!’
