SWIMCON International Hong Kong 2025

Michael Fasching is the Head Coach and Performance Director at Harry Wright International Ltd. in Hong Kong, where he has been a pivotal figure in the swimming community for over 35 years. Throughout his distinguished career, Michael has been recognized with multiple prestigious coaching awards. Notably, he was named “Coach of the Year” by the Hong Kong Swim Coaches Association on three occasions and received the “Contribution to Swimming” award from the Hong Kong Amateur Swimming Association (HKASA) in 2015. In 2014 he was awarded the “Coaching Excellency Award” and the “Youth Coach of the Year Award” by the Hong Kong Coaching Committee. His accomplishments underscore his dedication to the sport and his influence on the Hong Kong swimming community.
Michael has also played a significant role on the international stage, coaching at the Olympic Games in Paris 2024 and Rio de Janeiro 2016, as well as at numerous Asian Games, World Championships, World Cups, and Youth Olympic Games.

Ella is an international educator and swim coach with a specialization in Physical Education and Aquatics. She brings twenty years of experience from her work in international schools and swim clubs across the US, Europe, and Asia. Ella is dedicated to developing and leading high-quality aquatics programs, empowering swimmers of varying abilities and backgrounds to realize their potential and achieve their goals. Since 2017, she has served as the Aquatics Director at Hong Kong International School.

David Lush, Australian Team Coach #122, has guided athletes to gold medals at every major international competition, including the Olympics and World Championships. Among his notable achievements, he coached Minna Atherton to a historic world record, becoming the first female to break the 55-second barrier in the 100m backstroke. These exceptional results have earned David the prestigious Swim Australia Platinum Coach License, an honour shared by only 56 coaches nationwide.

David’s expertise is sought globally. He consults for several international swimming federations, including Bahrain, the UAE, South Africa, and Singapore. Since 2019, he has also been a consultant for the Hong Kong Sports Institute, successfully preparing Stephanie Au for two Olympic Games and three Asian Games. Passionate about the development and advocacy of coaches, David has represented Australian coaches’ interests on the Swim Australia Board since 2020.

Brendon Ward is a dynamic and accomplished leader serving as the CEO of SWIM Coaches & Teachers Australia. With a passion for aquatic education and a commitment to fostering excellence in swimming instruction and coaching, Brendon has dedicated his career to the advancement of aquatic sports and safety. Brendon is a staunch advocate for water safety, recognising its paramount importance in communities. He is also the Vice President of IFSTA, and actively engages in outreach programs, partnerships with key stakeholders, and advocacy efforts to raise awareness about the significance of swimming education and drowning prevention.

Amanda has over 25 years of experience in the aquatics industry, including 15 years as a trainer. She has hosted three international swim conferences and delivered courses in the Middle East and China. Amanda is highly qualified in various areas, including Learn to Swim, Babies and Toddlers, Lifeguarding, and Competitive Swimming, and she is an advanced coach certified by the American Swimming Coaches Association (ASCA).
In her role, Amanda works closely with risk management teams to ensure aquatics safety in pools and during camps, conducting thorough audits to guarantee compliance with best practices and regulations for water and pool safety. She holds a master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction, and her educational career has taken her through the UAE, China, Qatar, and now Indonesia, where she serves as the Aquatics Director at Jakarta Intercultural School.
Passionate about developing swimming programs that promote balance, education, and compassion, Amanda is dedicated to fostering an inclusive environment where all stakeholders are valued members of the community. She is committed to enhancing competitive programs that support students in becoming successful lifelong learners in the pool and pursuing their swimming aspirations at the university level.

Amy has been involved in the swimming industry for the past 30 years as both a swimmer and an industry professional. Amy’s vast expertise in the industry has seen her work across three states in many varying capacities. Amy started her working career as a swim coach and swim teacher and soon evolved to become a Head Coach. Amy has been a Development Officer for Swimming Northern Territory; she has managed and set up Swim Schools; and she has become a Trainer/Mentor for swimming and aquatic courses passing on her passion and expertise.
Amy is currently the Swimming Queensland Training Coordinator runs SWIM Courses throughout Queensland.
Amy travelled to Beijing in November 2023 with the SWIM team as a presenter for SWIMCON Beijing.

Arif Purbo is an esteemed Indonesian national swim coach whose coaching career began in 1999 at Jakarta International School (JIS). Since becoming the national coach in 2022, he has played a pivotal role in guiding swimmers through high-stakes competitions, including the SEA Games in Cambodia (2022), the Asian Games in Hangzhou, China (2023), and the Olympic Games in Paris (2024).
Arif’s expertise has also taken him to prestigious events like the World Championships in Japan (2023) and Doha, Qatar (2024). He has been actively involved in swim camps at NOVA Aquatics in California, dedicated to enhancing the skills and performance of his athletes.
With a strong commitment to developing talent in the sport, Arif holds a FINA Level 2 coaching certification and the FINA Advanced Level recognized by World Aquatics. He is also participating in ASCA Level 3 as an interpreter. His unwavering focus remains on elevating Indonesian swimming on the world stage.

David has been coaching for 20 years. This journey has taken him around the world holding positions in Great Britain, Australia, Canada and latterly Hong Kong. He has developed an excellent knowledge of swimming and the structure of sport throughout the world.

During his time on-deck, he has guided his athletes towards great performances in the water while ensuring they continue to excel in their academic goals. Many of his swimmers have gone on to study at top universities in GB, AUS, USA and CAN. Some have also represented their countries at many International meets.

Mr. Eric Yeung is a dynamic swimming presenter and passionate advocate for aquatic sports, bringing a wealth of knowledge. With over 18 years of experience in the industry, he has captivated audiences with expert insights, and a deep love for the sport. He works at the Australian International School, HK as an Aquatic and Swim Program Manager since 2017.A former competitive swimmer, Eric’s aquatic journey began at a young age. He honed his skills in swim competing at local and national levels. His extensive background in swimming not only gives him a unique perspective but also establishes him as a credible voice in the swimming community.

In addition to his competitive experience, He has earned a degree in Sports Science and his ability to convey complex swimming strategies and narratives to viewers. He dedicated to promoting swimming as a vital life skill and healthy lifestyle choice. Through partnerships with local swim programs, he encourages youth involvement in aquatic activities, emphasizing safety and fitness.

I am a former competitive swimmer with 14 years of experience in teaching and coaching at local and international schools. Currently, I am the Pool Manager and manages the Learn to Swim program at the Canadian International School of Hong Kong, I am also a qualified PE teacher. I work with a diverse range of students, aged 3 to 17, including those who may be anxious and those who are very confident, as well as English-speaking and Chinese-speaking learners. My track record includes guiding swimmers of all levels, from those qualifying for the Hong Kong Age Group Swimming Championships to recreational swimmers seeking to improve their skills.

Gary is the Executive Officer of SWIM Coaches & Teachers Australia (SWIM) and celebrates his 44th year in the Aquatic industry in 2024. Gary performs a variety of roles at SWIM including overseeing SWIMCON, International Conferences, Professional Development events, clinics, and courses for Coaches, Teachers, and Swim Schools. Gary represents SWIM on the National Aquatic Industry Committee and other Aquatic committees. Gary is also on the selection committee for the International Swimming Hall of Fame inductees. Gary has coached on Australian Swim Teams and has coached numerous Australian and International swimmers to the Olympics, Worlds, Pan Pacs, and Commonwealth Games. Gary was inducted as a Coach to the Australian Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame in 2020.

With over 23 years in the Aquatic Industry, Joanne has managed several learn-to-swim pools and aquatic centres on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast. Joanne works as the Projects & Events Officer and International Trainer for SWIM Coaches & Teachers Australia. She is a best-selling published author and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations and a Post Graduate Certificate in Editing & Publishing. Joanne has a passion for water safety advocacy and aquatic education within Asia. She speaks Indonesian and has lived and worked extensively in Indonesia, Japan, and the UK. With her vast knowledge and experience, she aims to inspire and educate others of the importance in learn to swim.

Formerly an Age Group swimmer in Australia and the USA in the 1970’s, Ken started coaching as a hobby 25 years ago. He established successful training squads and swimming clubs at Thirroul in NSW and then at the Australian International School in Hong Kong, producing a number of star swimmers. He then shifted his focus entirely to Open Water, coaching a small group of teenagers while setting up and running a series of Open Water races for the VRC in Hong Kong as a platform to develop OW swimmers. Ken has represented Hong Kong at international level, having been selected as a team coach at World Cups in 2018 and 2024. His most successful swimmer was his son, Bill, who in Open Water won state age titles in every state of Australia, was a multiple Australian age champion, a multiple HK Open Champion, went to 4 World Championships, and at Tokyo 2020 became the only male Open Water Olympian HK has produced.

With an impressive 27-year career dedicated to teaching and coaching in Canberra, Rhiannon’s impact spans from nurturing infants as young as 6 weeks old to honing the skills of Olympic triathletes. Rhiannon boasts a wealth of qualifications, including SWIM Australia teacher certification, Babies & Toddlers , LWD and Foundation Coach. Rhiannon’s commitment and expertise have earned her the distinguished status of a Swim Australia Diamond level teacher, a recognition that speaks volumes about her dedication to the craft. Her influence extends beyond her homeland; she was a featured guest speaker at the international Swim Schools Spectacular in Singapore in 2020, and she graced the SWIM Teachers and Coaches Australia conferences in 2018, 2022, 2023 and 2024 with her invaluable insights. She was awarded the prestigious 2023 SWIM Teacher of the Year, and later that year commenced her role at SWIM at the National Education Manager.

Sunny Fung is an accomplished Aquatic Programs Manager at the Macquarie University Sport and Aquatic Centre, where he oversees the development and management of swimming programs. With a rich background in aquatic education and water safety, he has previously served as the Head of Age Group Swimming at Des Renford Leisure Centre for over 10 years and also worked at Royal Life Saving – Australia in various roles for over 15 years advocating water safety and drowning prevention. His expertise in learn to swim, swim coaching and program management has significantly contributed to the growth and success of various swimming programs/initiatives. Sunny is dedicated to fostering a supportive and high-performing environment for swimmers of all ages and skill levels.

As the Training Manager at Joint Dynamics, Marcel brings a unique blend of competitive swimming experience and expertise in sports science. He began his swimming journey at the age of 13 in The Netherlands and pursued his passion by graduating with a degree in Sport Science from Stellenbosch University in South Africa.

Competing at an elite level, he not only excelled in the pool but also transitioned into coaching, where he was privileged to be part of a coaching team that guided two swimmers to the Olympics and three swimmers to medal success at the Paralympics.

After a 12-year hiatus, he returned to competitive swimming at the age of 37, breaking 11 Hong Kong Masters records. In his current role at Joint Dynamics, his focus is on training swimmers in the gym, helping them achieve their peak performance in the pool.