National Integrity Month 2025

Swimming Australia is delighted to recognise the following coaches who have been recognised by their clubs during National Integrity Month for ‘coaching with integrity’ and living the FISH values of Fairness, Integrity, Safety and Happiness. Congratulations to Rick, Leigh-Anne, Adriano and Celina!

Rick Homan

Club: Cradle Coast Aquatic Swimming Club – Tasmania

Rick Homan is an exceptional coach whose influence reaches far beyond the pool deck. Through his leadership, Cradle Coast Aquatic has become a club where performance, athlete wellbeing, and integrity are deeply interconnected and central to every swimmer’s experience. Rick’s dedication, professionalism, and care have shaped a positive, high-performing culture built on respect, trust, and continual growth.

Leigh-Anne Pokarier

Club: Mackay Cyclones Swimming Club- Queensland

Leigh -Anne’s commitment to her athletes goes far beyond teaching strokes and techniques. She inspires, motivates, and believes in every swimmer — from our youngest members to our most experienced competitors. Through her leadership, she has built a team culture founded on respect, hard work, purpose, and belonging. As the sole coach of approximately 40 athletes, Leigh Anne is a mentor, a role model, and a true leader. Her unwavering dedication has made a lasting impact on every one of us.

Adriano Schonenberge

Club: Atherton Swimming Club, Far North Queensland

Adriano ensures that every child who walks onto the pool deck feels welcome, included, supported, and proud of what they can achieve in the water. Adriano’s philosophy is simple and powerful: time spent in the pool is time to be enjoyed. His coaching isn’t about favourites or fast-tracking only the strongest athletes — it’s about nurturing every swimmer who dives in. He treats all swimmers equally, celebrates every personal best, and makes every training session a place of joy, laughter, and learning.

Celina Hardy

Club: St Hilda’s Aquatics, Gold Coast, Queensland

Celina’s down-to-earth Aussie attitude makes every session fun, safe and challenging. As a former Dolphin who represented Australia in the Pan Pacs and Commonwealth Games, Celina brings a wealth of experience to the role. She makes swimmers feel comfortable and confident in the training environment and helps create a positive club culture. As one of her swimmers says (quoting Kaylee McKeown) “A happy swimmer is a fast swimmer and at St Hilda’s Aquatics I am definitely a happy swimmer”.

You have a challenging and dynamic role; Early mornings, late nights, weekends, a role that involves managing dreams and aspirations, shaping team culture, navigating challenging situations, and, most importantly, safeguarding children and young people from harm.

National Integrity Month will highlight the positive impact of coaches at every level – from those who generously volunteer their time in community clubs to those working at the highest levels of performance.

You will soon see a range of activities and resources including:

• Committees nominating their local coach hero
• Feature articles
• Sharing stories and videos about coaches on Swimming Australia’s social media channels
• Resources distributed to clubs on how parents must respectfully communicate with coaches
• Resources for coaches on understanding the new Swimming Australia National Coaching Framework
• Tips for coaches on how to protect themselves from harmful behaviours

This November we will be promoting the importance of being a STAR parent and what that means when interacting with coaches, committees and others.

In the resources below, you will find guidelines that explain the expectations of a STAR parent in the Swimming Australia framework.  We encourage you to commit to these positive behaviours by supporting your club and coach and understanding that negative conduct can have a significant impact on everyone, including your child.

We encourage you to support your coach and club this November in a number of ways:

1. Follow Swimming Australia on social media where we will be promoting National Integrity Month
2. Nominate your local hero coach by email at integrity@swimming.org.au and telling us why they deserve recognition
3. When asked by your club, sign the STAR parent acknowledgement form to show your understanding and commitment to your coach and club

Swimming Australia expects positivie behaviours from coaches as well as parents. If you have any concerns about your coach, please do the following:

• For issues relating to the program/selection refer to your coach and/or your Club President
• For issues relating to safeguarding children and young people report to Sport Integrity Australia Protecting Sport Together | Sport Integrity Australia
• For other issues please report to Swimming Australia integrity@swimming.org.au

‘Coaching with Integrity’ will be the theme of the month and we ask you to join with us in thanking the coach or coaches at your club.  You can do this in a number of ways including:

1. Follow Simming Australia on social media where we will be promoting Integrity month
2. Nominate your local hero coach by email to integrity@swimming.org.au and telling us why your coach deserves recognition
3. Use your club facebook account to acknowledge Integrity Month and to thank your coaches
4. Share the upcoming coach recognition video on your club social media platforms
5. Thank your coaches and encourage your members to do the same during National Integrity Month

Tips on how you can support your coach

• Ask parents to sign the STAR parent form in the resources section below
• Place the STAR parent poster in your club environment (see resources section below)
• Report to us any concerns you have about any poor behaviour directed at your coach(es) by members of your club
• Have regular meetings with your Head Coach to check in with them and ask what support they need
• Ensure the coaches you employ are licensed with Swimming Australia
• Be aware of the Do’s and Don’ts in your club environment (See resources below)

See how you can get involved in National Integrity Month.