Thomas Rayner - Head Coach

Thomas brings extensive experience in developing swimmers from age-group through to national level. Thomas holds a Master of Sport and Exercise Science and has coached Australian National medalists and finalists across freestyle, butterfly, breaststroke and individual medley events.

His athletes have also achieved Victorian Age Group records and numerous Victorian and NSW State Championship medals. A career highlight was assisting Australian breaststroker Sam Williamson in preparation for the 2022 Commonwealth Games, where Sam went on to win gold in the 50m breaststroke.

Thomas believes strongly in building a team culture where swimmers are proud to represent Parnell and understand that every athlete contributes to the success of the club. His philosophy combines enjoyment, attention to detail and high expectations. He wants swimmers to enjoy the process and build positive, trusting relationships with their coaches, while learning to train with the purpose and professionalism required to achieve their goals.

His message to swimmers is simple: train like the level you want to compete at. It's not only about how hard you train, but how you train - focusing on the details every day and approaching each session with the mindset of preparing to race at your very best. His appointment as Head Coach at Parnell Swimming Club is an exciting new chapter in the club's history, and he's eager to use his experience and passion for the sport to inspire the next generation of swimmers at Parnell Swimming Club.

Angus Waugbh - Junior Squad

Angus grew up in the Northeast of the UK, where his passion for swimming started early. Competing at a national level throughout his school years, Angus reached the pinnacle of success, even becoming the fastest swimmer in the UK at one point. Alongside his athletic achievements, Angus also excelled academically, balancing the challenges of competitive swimming with a drive to secure top grades.

At 18, Angus earned a place at the prestigious University of St Andrews, Scotland's top university, which was a significant personal milestone. While his parents relocated to New Zealand, Angus remained in the UK to complete his studies. During his time at university, Angus continued to pursue swimming, representing Scotland in competitions and taking on a leadership role as president of the swimming club. His dedication culminated in earning one of the highest grades in his year for his dissertation—a testament to his commitment to both his academic and athletic goals.

After graduation, Angus fulfilled a long-held dream by moving to New Zealand. Although his career initially led him into the insurance industry, Angus maintained his passion for swimming and found joy in mentoring and coaching. His journey into coaching is driven by a desire to share the lessons he learned through his own experiences—about discipline, resilience, and finding balance between personal and professional aspirations.

At Parnell Swimming Club, Angus brings a wealth of knowledge and first-hand experience from both sides of the sport. His coaching philosophy emphasizes the importance of technical development, mental toughness, and building confidence, both in and out of the pool. Angus believes in fostering a supportive environment where swimmers are encouraged to challenge themselves, set meaningful goals, and enjoy the journey.

With a deep passion for both swimming and education, Angus is excited to be part of the Parnell team, helping swimmers unlock their potential and develop the skills they need to thrive in the water and beyond.

Gabe Chiche - Junior Development

Parnell Swimming Club is thrilled to welcome a familiar and highly respected face back to our coaching team: Gabriel "Gabe" Chiche. Many of our families will remember Gabe from his successful tenure with us from 2021 to 2023, and we are delighted to have his expertise on the pool deck once again.

Gabe’s expertise is rooted in a lifelong dedication to the sport, which began in his home country of France. As a formidable athlete, he swam competitively at a national level, giving him an invaluable, first-hand understanding of the discipline, technique, and mindset required for high-performance swimming. Alongside his own athletic career, he began his coaching journey, holding key positions at competitive clubs in France.

Upon moving to New Zealand, Gabe quickly established himself as a leading coach, taking on senior roles at both Kings Swim Club and Kings Swim School before his initial appointment at Parnell.

Most recently, from 2023 to 2025, Gabe has been instrumental in shaping the next generation of swimmers at WaterLions Swim School. In his role there, he developed and ran their highly successful Swim Academy program, working closely with developing young competitive swimmers to build the foundational skills essential for a long and successful journey in the sport.

Gabe returns to Parnell with an even richer skill set. His coaching philosophy is built on a powerful combination of experience: the perspective of a national-level athlete, the technical knowledge of a senior coach, and a specialised expertise in nurturing talent from the ground up. He is passionate about creating technically proficient, confident, and motivated athletes.

Ethan Kehoe - Assistant Coach

Kia ora! My name is Ethan! I'm young, energetic and fired up for working with everyone here at Parnell. While originally American, I’ve lived here in New Zealand for 15 years down in Windy Wellington.  Having just moved to Auckland to study at The University of Auckland, I’m looking forward to the opportunity to work alongside much of Parnell Swim Club and contribute to swimmers’ success! I’m a very sporty, active person and enjoy playing competitive football anytime I’m outside the pool. I competed under Capital Swim Club for nine years, mainly specializing in Breaststroke. I’m very approachable so if you see me around, don’t hesitate to say hi! I’m looking forward to helping foster a fun, yet also focused and competitive environment for all swimmers of Parnell to excel!