Meet the Coaches
Coach Stan Teokotai-White
Stan has been with Mount Maunganui Swimming Club since the beginning of March 2018 and has had some impressive regional and national successes with our swimmers. Stan's objective is to create and deliver an environment where athletes can achieve beyond their expectations.
'I believe all swimmers have talent and all athletes deserve a chance to see where that talent can take them and it's my job to help them discover that.'
Stan worked as Head Coach at Hillcrest Swimming Club in Hamilton from 2010 to 2013 and then TID Coach at Aquabladz New Plymouth from 2013 until he started at Mount Maunganui Swimming Club in March 2018. He brings 8 years of experience coaching young athletes in the pool and helping them to develop a passion and hunger for success.
Stan has coached competitive swimmers, surf lifesaving athletes, triathletes and masters competitors from local to international level. There are many highlights in his career so far, including in 2010 taking Hillcrest Swim Club from 22nd to the top 4 in Waikato at Waikato Champs and then, in 2012, Hillcrest was Waikato Club of the Year. In 2016 Stan was selected to be part of the New Zealand 'next generation coaches' programme.
Through his experience, collaboration with other coaches and his motivation to grow and learn, Stan aims to deliver a high-quality programme for Mount Maunganui Swimming Club. The club is very excited about what he has to offer.
Stan is happy to discuss swimmers' progress with parents/families, but we ask that parents/families refrain from interrupting training sessions. Parents/Families should either wait until the session is over, arrange a suitable time with the coach for a chat or make an appointment to discuss training progress and goals.
Coach Jack
Jack joined Mount Maunganui Swimming Club late in 2020 as a fitness swimmer but very quickly found himself poolside assisting our Head Coach with managing the morning adult and fitness squads and filling in gaps as required. Jack aims to create an environment where all swimmers feel welcome and comfortable in the pool.
‘I've been swimming most of my life and know first-hand that having to get up at 5 am to chase that black line is not a great motivator. My goal is to create an environment where our swimmers don't ‘dread’ swimming and can see the value in their training.’
Jack has previously been Head Squad Coach at Bartlett Swim School and Assistant Coach for Team Shorebreak. When Jack is not poolside, he can be found at the beach working as the Head Junior Coach for Papamoa Surf Life Saving Club.
If you want to chat with Jack, he can be identified by his funky socks, cap and sunglasses. Good conversation topics to distract Jack include Star Wars, Marvel, surf lifesaving, current events and the weather. Jack dislikes the colour green, the idea of pineapple on pizza and meals that don't include meat.
Coach Crystal Barnard
Crystal joined Mount Maunganui Swimming Club in early 2025 as our Assistant/Junior Coach.
‘I grew up in Waiouru Army Camp and my parents put me through the Learn to Swim programme. A few years later I found myself swimming at regional meets. I quickly became a competitive swimmer and spent many mornings, evenings and weekends at a pool. I attended Chilton Saint James School in Lower Hutt where I enjoyed swimming the most. I have competed at Junior Festivals, Div 2s, Age Groups and Opens. I know what it takes to become the best swimmer you can be!
I am a qualified swim instructor and have taught babies, preschoolers, school-agers and adults. I worked for BaySwim as a swim instructor and on-deck supervisor, and I am the BaySwim Access & Inclusion Officer. I coordinated the Learn to Swim programme at Papamoa Swimming Club. I also ran a swim programme for Papamoa Primary School.
I have been involved with Tauranga Water Polo club for many years. My roles included selecting teams, coaching and coordinating age groups, and currently I am a committee member and also the club administrator and club coordinator.
My happy place is spending time with family and friends, swimming at the beach, travelling, eating and listening to music. My husband and I have 7 children and one of them, Sophie, has been swimming for MMSC for the past few years. We have 3 moko boys who are full of energy and life. My whānau brings me much joy and happiness, our household is super busy but I wouldn’t change it for the world!
I look forward to serving the Mount Maunganui Swimming Club community!’
