Our People
Our Coaching Team
Our coaches bring a mix of experience, technical knowledge and local connection to GSSC.
They work together to support swimmers across different stages of development, with an emphasis on strong technique, appropriate progression, racing skills, confidence and increasing understanding of their own swimming.
Shelly brings more than 30 years of coaching experience to GSSC, including as former Head Coach of Marion Swimming Club and working with swimmers through to elite level.
Now based locally, Shelly leads the Club’s coaching program and supports swimmer development across all levels. Her approach combines strong technical foundations with thoughtful progression, helping swimmers develop the skills, confidence and training habits needed for long-term improvement.
Shelly also provides programming, mentoring and support across the wider GSSC coaching team.
Craig is a local parent of two GSSC swimmers and brings significant personal swimming experience to the coaching team.
A former New Zealand national-level swimmer, and still a very capable swimmer himself, Craig understands both the technical demands of competitive swimming and the athlete experience.
He works particularly with developing swimmers, helping build strong technique, confidence and effective training habits, and also provides regular coaching support at competitions.
Adam grew up as a country swimmer in Loxton and now lives locally with his family. A Registered Nurse and parent of four, he brings a calm and encouraging presence to pool deck.
Adam gained his Development Coach Licence in 2026 and coaches across GSSC’s swimmer levels, with a focus on technique, racing skills and helping swimmers understand their training.
He continues to develop his coaching alongside Shelly Jarrett and Steve Garner, drawing on their experience while building his own coaching practice.
Steve brings extensive coaching and high-performance experience to GSSC, providing specialist support through workshops, targeted sessions and coaching relief when required.
His career includes Head Coach roles at Meriden Girls School, Cook and Phillip Park Swimming Club and STARplex. From 2007 to 2019, Steve was an Australian Team Coach, working with athletes including Commonwealth Games medallist Samantha Marshall, Olympian Josh Palmer and Commonwealth Games representative James McKechnie.
Steve holds Silver coaching accreditation under Swimming Australia’s previous accreditation framework.
Our Committee
GSSC is governed by a volunteer Committee elected by members.
The Committee is responsible for the Club’s governance, finances, administration, membership, communications and broader operations, working alongside the coaching team to support a safe, sustainable and positive Club.
Vice President & Coaching Subcommittee Chair
Craig supports the President and Committee across Club operations and provides an important link between governance and the coaching program.
As Chair of the Coaching Subcommittee, he helps coordinate training, swimmer development and competition planning.
President
Louise leads the Committee and works across Club governance, strategy, administration and external relationships. She supports the coordination of GSSC’s broader operations and works closely with the coaching team, Swimming SA, facility partners and other organisations.
Treasurer
Erin oversees GSSC’s financial administration, including budgeting, payments, financial records and reporting, helping ensure the Club remains financially sustainable.
Secretary
Courtney supports the governance and administration of GSSC, including Committee processes, records, correspondence and the practical coordination needed to keep the Club running. She also was the carnival director for our 2025 Great Southern Open making it the most successful meet to date.
Member Protection Information Officer & General Committee
Emma is GSSC’s Member Protection Information Officer, providing information to members about concerns, complaints, member protection and the pathways available to them.
The MPIO provides information and support rather than investigating or determining complaints.
Publicity & General Committee
Chelsea supports GSSC’s communications and publicity, helping share Club activities, achievements and opportunities with members and the wider community.
She also contributes across Club events and general Committee activities.
Uniforms & General Committee
Anna coordinates GSSC’s uniforms and Club apparel and also contributes across events, activities and broader Committee decision-making.
Our Club Captains
GSSC’s Club Captains are swimmer leaders who help set the tone for the Club.
They are selected for the way they conduct themselves, encourage others and contribute to a positive team environment — not simply for their results in the pool.
Our Captains help welcome younger and newer swimmers, promote respect and sportsmanship, support Club activities and give swimmers a stronger voice within GSSC. Those qualities reflect the selection criteria used for the 2026–27 leadership group.
Izzy brings experience, maturity and a genuine interest in helping other swimmers to her role as Senior Captain. She is approachable and enjoys supporting younger and newer members, sharing what she has learned through competitive swimming and recognising the achievements of those around her. Izzy is particularly committed to helping swimmers feel safe, comfortable and connected to the Club, while continuing to develop her own leadership skills.
Senior
Sebastian brings an encouraging and supportive approach to his role as Senior Captain. He wants swimmers to feel that they have someone they can approach and rely on, particularly when training or competition is challenging. Sebastian values respect, enjoyment and working positively with coaches, and aims to help create an environment where swimmers feel supported to do their best and enjoy being part of GSSC.
Junior
Gwyneth brings empathy, enthusiasm and a strong sense of inclusion to her role as Junior Captain. She is particularly interested in helping new swimmers feel welcome, supporting anyone who may be finding things difficult and celebrating the achievements of her teammates. Gwyneth sees leadership as setting a positive example, listening to coaches and helping make GSSC a place where swimmers feel safe, happy and supported.
Poppy brings energy, humour and enthusiasm to her role as Junior Captain. She wants to help make GSSC a place where swimmers encourage one another, enjoy training and feel part of the team. Poppy also sees the captaincy as an opportunity to grow her own leadership skills, contribute ideas and help create a positive Club environment through kindness, encouragement and being someone who reliably shows up for her teammates.
EVERYONE PLAYS A PART
Every swimmer who encourages a teammate, every parent who takes a timekeeping shift, every volunteer who helps at a carnival and every family that contributes to Club life helps make GSSC what it is.