Our Coaches
Angus Barnes
Angus Barnes is Firbank Grammar’s Director of Swimming and leads the FAS coaching team. Angus has more than 25 years’ experience in the aquatic industry as a coach, educator, and competitor.
Angus has worked overseas and in Australia and is the current president of ASCTA Victoria. He has worked in several leading schools along with high profile swimming clubs and has coached swimmers to national records and Olympic and World Championship trial level. Angus is a highly regarded coach in the Australian aquatic industry and has High Performance Coaching accreditation, along with a Graduate Certificate in High Performance Sport, a Bachelor of Physical Education and Advanced Swimming Coach accreditation (formerly known as Silver License Swimming Coach). Angus also has extensive experience in open water swimming, having been Head Coach of the Victorian team.
Angus has previously worked with Swimming Victoria in several roles, including being a member of the Plan Ahead Committee which assisted the sport in navigating its way out of Covid and the resumption normal competitions and training. Angus is known for his enthusiasm, leadership, and elite level coaching.
Harrison Preston
Squads coached: Junior Development, Junior Gold and State Development
Years of coaching experience: 4. I was fortunate to have Jason Cooper the then Director of Swimming to mentor and guide me when I started out, his knowledge as a coach, that he was so willing to impart, was invaluable.
Greatest professional achievement: Every day I feel very lucky and privileged to coach a wide range of swimmers, including state level competitors through to those starting out on their journey and preparing for their first competition. I believe I have the skill to give young swimmers the confidence to try new things, I like convincing swimmers to do try a 50m butterfly race for the first time.
Greatest personal achievement: As an athlete my greatest personal achievement was making a final at Australian Age National Championships. I was also very proud when I participated in a fundraiser for Firbank Aquastars and swam 25km in a day when I was 14 years old.
Why do you love swimming? I love swimming because of the feeling I have moving through the water, I believe it is probably the closest thing to flying. I believe swimming competitively during my final years of school taught me the life lesson of “being busy is a good thing”. I value the friendships I made and along the way, both as a swimmer and now a coach.
How do you define success? If you can look back at the end of the timeframe you set for a goal, even when you don’t achieve the goal, and can appreciate all the things you did achieve along the way – this demonstrates great growth and learning.
Number one lesson: Don’t compare yourself to others! You are on your own journey and try to be the best you can be!
Sarah Cooper
Squads Coached:
Pre-squad, Junior Development, Junior Gold, State Development, State and National squads.
Years of coaching experience:
I first started Learn to Swim teaching 4 years ago at Firbank. Since then, I have continued working at Firbank whilst living in Queensland, where I began coaching and teaching at Toowoomba Grammar School in Toowoomba as well as Andrew Baildons SuperFish Swim Schools on the Gold Coast.
Greatest professional achievement:
In both the Learn to Swim and Coaching industries, there are many rewarding experiences and achievements. Being able to help teach someone how to swim, not be afraid of the water and know basic survival skills is extremely rewarding. On the other end being able to coach a swimmer through to a high level and watching their progress.
Greatest personal achievement:
My greatest achievement that I am most proud of as an athlete would be making finals at Open and Age Australian Swimming National Championships as well as qualifying for Olympic Trials in 2021 and 2024. I was also selected to represent Firbank and Victoria at Pacific School Games in Adelaide in 2017 which I was extremely proud of.
Why do you love swimming?
I have been swimming my whole life and have continuously found joy in doing so. I fell in love with swimming as a competitive sport the day I competed in my first competition when I was 4 years old. Although back then I may not have been the strongest swimmer I loved getting up and having a go. Throughout my many years of competitive swimming I have made some of my strongest friendships with swimmers as well as some of my coaches.
How do you define success?
I believe success is about finding fulfilment and contentment in what you do. It is not just about reaching specific goals, but also enjoying the journey and growth that come with pursuing them.
Number one lesson.
Get comfortable being uncomfortable
Tom Dale
Squads coached: Junior Gold, State Development, State & National.
Years of coaching experience: I have had coaching involvement in the swimming industry since 2021. Upon completing my Bachelor Degree in Exercise and Sport Science I stepped into the role of the strength coach for FAS in June 2023.
Greatest professional achievement: My greatest professional achievement is completing my Bachelor Degree in Exercise and Sport Science, becoming an Accredited Exercise Scientist with ESSA and Accredited Strength & Conditioning coach with ASCA.
Greatest personal achievement: My greatest personal achievement would be swimming in multiple Australian Age National finals over several years. Additionally, representing Victoria at the 2017, 2018 & 2019 State Championships at the AIS in Canberra.
Why do you love swimming? I personally love swimming because of the satisfaction I feel after each set and how racing reflects training. Swimming not only develops personal qualities such as resilience and discipline but forms important life long friendships.
How do you define success? Success, to me, is not tangible but instead a reflection of the process resulting in a feeling of achievement.
Number one lesson: Trust the process, work hard and have fun.
