Swimming Squad Training

We have adult swimming squad training throughout the year twice a week at the Casey Aquatic and Recreation Centre (Casey ARC) centre in Narre Warren, next to the Fountain Gate shopping centre.

Our training sessions cater for a variety of requirements, including:

• general fitness
• pool competition preparation
• open water swimming
• triathletes

The only prerequisites are that you are at least 18 years old, can swim a few lengths of the pool and have a love of swimming.

If you're not quite up to swimming with the squad yet, don't worry. Come down and have a chat with our coach to work out the best course of action.

Come and Try

If you would like to try a training session, aim to arrive at the pool deck about 10 minutes before the start of the session. You will find us at the deep end of the pool (closest to the entry to the complex).

You'll need to bring bathers, towel, swimming goggles and a drink bottle. Swim fins are also often used (the shorter swimming type is better, rather than the large diving fins).

Your first 4 swims (within 1 month) are FREE! for anyone interested in joining the squad, as an incentive to come and try us out.

If you are unsure of whether the training is suitable for your level of swimming, come along and have a look, and have a chat to our coach or any of us. Alternatively, call one of the Committee members and we'll tell you a bit more about it.

Where and when

We have been based at Casey ARC since it opened in 2001. Go to the Location page to see maps and directions to the pool.

Current squad timetable

• Monday nights at Casey ARC from 7:00pm to 8:30pm
• Wednesday nights at Casey ARC from 7:00pm to 8:30pm

Training Fees

The training fees for the squad sessions, still unchanged from 1 Nov 2015 (after holding our fees the same for 6 years before that) are just $5 per session with a 5 or 10 swim prepaid card.

The preferred payment method is to do a bank transfer - click here for our bank account details.

Alternatively, you can pay by cash directly to the club Treasurer on pool deck before you get into the water.

Pool Entry Fees

Note that the training fee does not include the pool entry fee.

If you are paying casual pool entry fees at Casey ARC, remember to tell the staff when paying that you're training with the Casey Seals masters squad to get the club discount entry fee.

If you are going to be swimming at Casey ARC regularly, you might find it cheaper to take out Aquatic Membership with the YMCA. It's even cheaper if you have more than 1 person in your family taking out membership.

Full Membership of Casey ARC is also an option, giving you access to all the centre's facilities including a well-appointed health club - a very cheap rate if you want to use a gym as well as swimming.

Ask the pool reception staff for more information and current prices.

Our Coaches

Coaches are an integral part of any club's continued success, and we have been fortunate to have had excellent coaches since our club's inception back in November 2001.

Our current coach is Nichola Thamel, with 2 previous coaches available to fill in for Nichola when he is unavailable.

Nichola Thamel

Nichola started coaching the Seals in August 2023. Here's a few words from him to introduce himself...

I am a 22-year-old student athlete originally from the beautiful island of Sri Lanka. Swimming has been my passion since day one, and I've devoted countless hours to training - 7 swim sessions and 2 gym sessions per week! Those early mornings at the pool paid off - I've clinched multiple national titles in swimming back home and even had the honor of representing Sri Lanka in the South Asian Games of 2019!

After making a splash in Sri Lanka, I took the plunge and moved to Australia when I turned 18 to pursue my swimming dreams at the prestigious Melbourne Vicentre club. The journey hasn't been easy, but the challenges have only fueled my determination.

In early 2020, I began my journey in Computer Science. Balancing my swim sessions and studies has been quite the ride, and I'm thrilled to share that I'm on track to graduate by the end of this year! My sights are set on a future in cybersecurity, and I can't wait to make waves in that field. Life's all about diving headfirst into opportunities, and I'm grateful for every stroke that's led me here.

As a passionate coach, I'm here to support you on your unique aquatic journey. Every swimmer is different, and your goals are as diverse as the strokes we practice. From open water to the pool, from freestyle to butterfly, I'm here to provide guidance that suits your needs. I bring a wealth of experience to the table. Let's work together to fine-tune your strokes, enhance your speed, and reach your personal bests.

Lee Chaplin

Lee stepped into the coaching position in 2020 and guided the squad through the difficult pandemic years until retiring in mid-2023. She remains available to fill in for Nichola.

She was one of the founding members of the club and was as a "Lane 8" swimmer for many years in the early days of the club. She was a qualified swim teacher, so she has a great understanding of what is required to help slower or newer swimmers to quickly improve (as well as having sympathy when they find things difficult!).

Complementing that, she has also watched her children, Kirilee & Sean, training for many years through to an elite-level squad, which has given her an understanding of what to look for and correct in the stroke of the faster swimmers.

Sean Chaplin

Sean coached the squad from early 2016 to 2019.

He studied sports science at Deakin Uni and was a top-level age-group distance swimmer. He was able to combine this swimming experience with his knowledge of exercise physiology and nutrition from his studies to provide not just great coaching but also individual advice about gym programs and strength & fitness training.

Whilst his work has taken him away from coaching us, Sean continues to be available for advice on coaching, strength training and physiology, as well as running an occasional session when available.