Bendigo Hawks Aquatic is delighted to announce Eaglehawk UFS Dispensary has joined the Hawks Nest to support the development of our Coaching Program.

“On behalf of the BHA Coaching Team, I'm excited to be partnering with Eaglehawk UFS. Their support will help strengthen our training programs in pursuit of aquatic excellence." Tyson Jelbart, Senior Coach BHA.

Our Squads

Training

Training Schedule

Our Coaches

Our coaches are a young and enthusiastic team dedicated to the growth of your child. They relish the opportunity to teach our young people the skills required to be successful in competition while also teaching the value of hard work, commitment and respect for others. Each of our coaches have had successful careers as competitive swimmers, representing their clubs at State level, so they know from real experience what it takes. For each of them, coaching at the Hawks to help young children be the best they can be is not just a job - it's a passion.

They're all accomplished professionals in their chosen careers who just want to make a difference amongst the youth in our community.

  • Tyson Jelbart - Head Coach, Hawks Swimming I started my swimming life at the Eaglehawk Swimming Club, a founding club of the Bendigo Hawks Aquatic. I always loved training and racing, competing at local, Country and State competitions over many seasons.

    In time, my passion for swim teaching and coaching grew, so my focus moved from “in the water” to “on the pool deck”. I’ve coached athletes from the junior ranks all the way to athletes at the National level. Helping athletes succeed has always been my passion and now it’s my career, having completed a Bachelor of Business (Sport Management & Development), minoring in education.

    Growing up I was never a ‘natural swimmer’, so I had to be at my absolute best every day which meant giving 110% at training to achieve PBs on race day. So, my coaching and teaching philosophy is simple - you earn what you achieve. I want to bring that “never give up” attitude and a determination to always strive to be the best you can be to every swimmer at the Club. I want to encourage all swimmers to dream big and chase those dreams relentlessly!

    When I’m not coaching Hawks swimmers, I’m the Lead Teacher at Swimz Bendigo, one of the newest Learn-to-Swim programs in Bendigo. I teach at all levels within the Swimz program – from infants all the way through to pre-Squad, building the next generation of competitive swimmers.

    If you see me around the pool come say ‘Hi’! While I’m loud, I’m always happy and ready to help!

  • Carla Dullard - Hawks Development I have been an Aquatic Educator for over a decade, working and developing programs in Bendigo, Melbourne and Cambodia. Outside of being a coach at the club, I’m a Youth Worker at Doxa School Bendigo.

    I’m a strong believer that aquatic sports can provide all children with an equal opportunity to succeed. I like to encourage children to “make friends with the water”, regardless of their age or their abilities on dry land. Helping our team to grow and our swimmers to learn holistic life skills is one of my favourite things about being a coach. I also love getting our families involved to be a part of that journey!

    When I was younger, I was a swimmer with the Hawks and proudly represented the Club at local, Regional and State levels. My favourite memories from this time would definitely have to be the road trips to competitions and the moments in training when you were pushed to go harder than you ever imagined you could!

    You’ll always find me walking up and down the pool, with fun earrings and rainbow shoes, cheering along my Squaddies! Come and say Hi!, anytime!

  • Jack Timmins - Wellness and Nutrition Competitive swimming was a hugely important part of my childhood, so I‘ve always wanted to give something back to the sport that shaped who I am today. I started coaching when I moved to Ballarat in 2012 to study for a Bachelor of Education (Physical Education & Health Education) and a Graduate Diploma in Outdoor Education at the University of Ballarat. I'm teaching at Catherine McAuley College and I love my role there.

    I have a passion for sport and fitness and am enjoying working with the great young talent we have at the Hawks. I am currently completing a Masters of Educational Leadership and training for triathlons in my spare time. I am looking forward to helping all swimmers reach their goals and watch the club grow bigger and stronger. Go Hawks!

  • Maddy McGowan - Social Media I grew up in Northern Victoria and swam competitively from the age of 11 for the Kerang Swimming Club in District 15, representing my Club and the District over the years at Country Championships, Country All Juniors, Victorian Sprint Championships and the Victorian Open Championships. My favourite and most successful events were the Backstroke events.

    A shoulder injury and subsequent surgery in my teens stifled my competitive progress so I set my sights on swim teaching. I teach young children at Bendigo's Sloan Swim School and play netball for the Calivil United Football Netball Club where I also coach some of our Bendigo Hawks squad.

    I'm very excited to have the opportunity to bring my love of swimming and teaching to the Bendigo Hawks. I hope I can find and develop some pretty good backstrokers!

  • Nicole Rykers As a dedicated swim teacher, my journey in the aquatic world began at a young age having spent a lot of my own childhood in the pool, where I developed a strong affinity for swimming early on. My sister's dedication as a squad swimmer meant that the pool became a second home, fostering my deep connection to the sport. I was always surrounded by the sights and sounds of the pool. Her dedication and achievements in the sport inspired me and reinforced my belief in the transformative power of swimming.

    Today, I have the privilege of passing on my love for swimming to the next generation. As a swim teacher, I've had the opportunity to work with countless young swimmers, helping them develop not only their technical skills but also their confidence and love for the water.

    I'm also a proud parent of three wonderful kids, all of whom have had the privilege of experiencing the magic of swimming lessons. Seeing their joy and progress in the water reinforces my commitment to teaching and nurturing young swimmers. I can't wait to continue this amazing journey and share my passion for swimming with even more eager learners and continuing to make a lasting impact on young swimmers, moulding them into the best they can be both in and out of the water.

  • Bryce Schubert I've been a competitive swimmer for more than ten years, having spent most of career at the Bendigo East Swimming Club. I started swimming with the goal of improving my overall fitness and to help manage my asthma. But I grew to love the sport and ended up competing at Local, Country and State competitions. The highlight of my athletic journey was being a member of a record-breaking Mixed Relay team at the Country Championships.

    I'm a Swim Teacher at Swimz Bendigo as well as being the Pool Operations Coordinator at Belgarvia Leisure in Bendigo. I'm currently studying to be an ICU Nurse at the La Trobe University Bendigo campus. Each of these roles provides me with the opportunity to do the thing I love the most - helping others, especially in the water.

    Over the years I've helped many childern make the transition from Learn to Swim programs to competitive swimming. My appointment at Bendigo Hawks Aquatic will provide me with the opportunity to help those young swimmers take the next step to become the best they can be as competitive swimmers.

    As a coach my philosophy is always quality over quantity. The best swimmers are always the ones who focus, engage and execute what their coaches ask of them. They need to be doing this as often as possible in training to have the potential to do something special on race day!

    If you see me on pool deck or working around the pool please come to say Hi. I'm always happy to have a chat

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