Dean Boxall Honored at SWIM Coaches & Teachers Australia Awards Gala (Full List of Winners)
- Swim School of the year Metro – iSwim @ Immanuel; Swim School of the Year Regional Prouse Swim School
- Coach of the Year Michael Sage
- Teacher of the Year Liz Corr
- Master Coach award to Michael Bohl and Dean Boxall
The nation’s swim community came together on September 20, at the prestigious National Wine Centre of Australia in Adelaide for the 2025 SWIM Coaches & Teachers Australia (SWIM) Awards, proudly sponsored by Vorgee.
Hosted by internationally acclaimed motivational speaker Michael Crossland, the evening celebrated excellence, innovation, and community impact across all levels of aquatics — from grassroots swim schools to world-class coaches and athletes.
The gala was a glittering occasion attended by an impressive lineup of special guests. In attendance was the newly appointed The Hon. Rhiannon Pearce MP, South Australia’s Minister for Recreation, Sport and Racing, who was joined by Olympic legend Dawn Fraser AC MBE, Australian icon and Master Coach Laurie Lawrence OAM, World Champion, Olympian and new father Kyle Chalmers OAM, Olympic and World Championship-winning coach Dean Boxall, and Swimming Australia’s Head Coach Rohan Taylor. They were welcomed alongside SWIM Coaches & Teachers Australia President Lynn Lonngren, Life Members, Olympians, Paralympians, and international delegates, creating an unforgettable atmosphere of celebration and achievement.
The evening began with a moving acknowledgement of long-time sponsor Vorgee, who for more than three decades has supported the swimming community with resources, equipment, and the sponsorship of major events. From there, the spotlight turned to the achievements of the past year. Outstanding Coaching Achievement Awards were presented to Dean Boxall, Michael Sage, Tim Lane, Damien Jones, Ian Mills, Shaun Crow and Shaun Curtis, each recognised for guiding their athletes to remarkable results at the 2025 World Championships in Singapore. Also receiving coaching awards were, Chris Urquhart – Somerset Swim Club, Qld for Age Coach of the Year, and Ian Mills received Open Water Coach of the Year for Kyle Lee’s 3rd place in Men’s 10km, Singapore.
Emma Lawrence, the driving force behind Kids Alive Do the Five, received the prestigious Meritorious Service to the Teaching of Swimming Award in recognition of her tireless advocacy for baby and toddler water safety.
Swim schools from across the country were also celebrated. SwimTikes Family Swim School and All About Aquatics in Queensland, Prouse Swim School in Victoria, iSwim @ Immanuel in South Australia, and 5 Star Swim Schools in New South Wales were among those honoured for their excellence in innovation, community service and customer experience. The SWIMSAFER Awards of Excellence highlighted vital water safety and drowning prevention initiatives, with Harley Street Swim School in Victoria, Armadale Fitness and Aquatic Centre in Western Australia, Holsworthy Aquatic Centre in New South Wales, and Prouse Swim School in Victoria all taking home top honours. Teacher of the Year was awarded to Liz Corr of SwimTikes Family Swim School, whose creativity, leadership, and passion for early years aquatic education were recognised as exemplary within the industry.
A particularly special moment of the night came when two of Australia’s most accomplished coaches were elevated to the prestigious rank of Master Coach. Michael Bohl, recognised internationally for decades of coaching excellence, was awarded in absentia, while Dean Boxall, Head Coach at St Peters Western, was celebrated for his extraordinary leadership of athletes including Ariarne Titmus, Mollie O’Callaghan and Elijah Winnington. Last awarded in 2001, the Masters Coach Award was presented by two of the four Masters Coaches who are still alive, Laurie Lawrence OAM and Denis Cotterell.
The night closed with the announcement of the highly coveted Coach of the Year, awarded to Michael Sage of the UniSC Spartans, whose athletes produced multiple gold and silver medal performances on the world stage.
SWIM CEO Brendon Ward described the Awards as a powerful reminder of the breadth and depth of talent within the aquatic industry. “From regional swim schools that are lifelines for their communities, to world-class coaches producing Olympic champions, tonight we celebrated the people who inspire, protect, and teach Australians through swimming. These awards are about honouring their dedication, innovation, and the lasting impact they create in and out of the water,” Mr Ward said.
The 2025 SWIM Australia Awards were proudly supported by Vorgee, with thanks also extended to key partners including YMCA SA, Surf Life Saving SA, AUSTSWIM, and GO Swim.
About SWIM Coaches & Teachers Australia
SWIM Coaches & Teachers Australia (SWIM) is the peak body for swimming Coaches, Teachers and Swim Schools in Australia.
SWIM Coaches & Teachers Australia is dedicated to developing world leading practises in the education, accreditation, professional development and ongoing support for swimming Coaches and swimming and water safety Teachers, as well as developing and empowering our swim school
The Full List of Awards:
Coaching Awards
- Open Teams Coaches – World Championships, Singapore: Rohan Taylor, Leigh Nugent, Bobby Jovanovich, Fernando Possenti, Craig Jackson, Chris Mooney, Craig Stewart, Mel Marshall
- Outstanding Coaching Achievement – World Championships, Singapore: Dean Boxall, Shaun Crow, Tim Lane, Damien Jones, Ian Mills, Shaun Curtis, Michael Sage
- Age Coach of the Year: Chris Urquhart – Somerset Swim Club, Qld
- Open Water Coach of the Year: Ian Mills – for Kyle Lee’s 3rd place in Men’s 10km, Singapore
- Master Coach Inductees: Michael Bohl, Dean Boxall, Denis Cotterell
- Coach of the Year: Michael Sage – UniSC Spartans
Service & Recognition Awards
- Outstanding Supporters Award: Vorgee
- Meritorious Service to the Teaching of Swimming in Australia: Emma Lawrence – Kids Alive Do the Five
Swim School Awards of Excellence
- Outstanding Community Service – Small Swim School: SwimTikes Family Swim School (Qld) and All About Aquatics (Qld)
- Outstanding Community Service – Medium Swim School: Canning Swim School (WA)
- Outstanding Community Service – Large Swim School: iSwim @ Immanuel (SA)
- Outstanding Community Service – Large Swim School Highly Commended: SA Aquatic & Leisure Centre (SA), 5 Star Swim Schools (NSW), The Parks Recreation and Sports Centre YMCA SA
- Customer Experience & Brand Impact – Small Swim School: Time for a Swim (Vic)
- Customer Experience & Brand Impact – Medium Swim School: Prouse Swim School (Vic)
- Customer Experience & Brand Impact – Large Swim School: 5 Star Swim Schools (NSW)
- Innovation Award of Excellence – Small Swim School: SwimTikes Family Swim School (Qld)
- Innovation Award of Excellence – Medium Swim School: Angelo Anestis Aquatic Centre (NSW)
- Innovation Award of Excellence – Large Swim School: iSwim @ Immanuel (SA)
- Swim School of the Year – Metro: iSwim @ Immanuel (SA)
- Swim School of the Year – Regional: Prouse Swim School (Vic)
SWIMSAFER Awards of Excellence
- Small Swim School: Harley Street Swim School (Vic)
- Medium Swim School: Prouse Swim School (Vic)
- Large Swim School: Armadale Fitness and Aquatic Centre (WA) and Holsworthy Aquatic Centre (NSW)
Swim Teacher & Leadership Awards
- Swim Teacher of Excellence: Gail Jennar – Prouse Swim School (Vic)
- Swim Teacher of Excellence – Babies & Toddlers: Liz Corr – SwimTikes Family Swim School (Qld)
- Swim Teacher of Excellence – Inclusive Teaching: Esther Lewis – Buoyant Swimming & Aquatics (SA)
- Swim Teacher of Excellence – Swim Squad Fundamentals: Bradley Hayman – iSwim @ Immanuel (SA)
- Swim Teacher of Excellence – Cultural Diversity: Kylie Messenger – Darren Lange Swimming Academy (Qld)
- Swim Australia Emerging Swim Teacher Award: Mohammad (Mow) Mohammadishamloo – Little Snappers Swim School (Qld)
- Swim Australia Youth Leadership Award: Cyrus Milne – Waterponyz Muchea (WA)
- Swim Australia Leadership in Aquatics Award: Sunny Fung – Macquarie University Sport and Aquatics (NSW)
- Swim Teacher of the Year: Liz Corr – SwimTikes Family Swim School (Qld)