Our Leaders - Passionate About Swimming and Water Safety Education

Our team of swim school leaders are passionate about teaching swimming and water safety skills. They’re truly dedicated to ensuring our industry leading program is delivered with the highest quality and utmost care.

Each of our leaders has a long and rewarding relationship with Carlile Swimming, many of them learnt to swim with us and have returned to teach kids those same important skills.

Our leaders know that to swim well is an asset for life, because for them swimming has led to rich and fulfilling lives in and out of the water, with most still swimming today.

At Carlile Swimming our leaders embody a core set of values. Communication, teamwork, integrity, respect, quality and consistency are at the heart of their leadership and inspire our staff to deliver outstanding service, every day.

Meet our dedicated team of swim school leaders.

Michael Yeomans

Manager of Operations

Michael joined us in 2002 as a swim teacher at Norwest. He made an instant impression and quickly progressed at Carlile. As Afternoon Coordinator at Cherrybrook and Operations Manager of Norwest, he was pivotal in building strong teaching teams and growing the reputation of each centre.
Michael’s outstanding leadership skills saw him promoted to Manager of Operations in 2017. In this role, he develops and supports our team of Operations Managers to successfully lead our swim schools.
“I love my role as I enjoy working with people. Everyday I experience something new, a different centre, a different group of people and a different set of challenges.
“At Carlile, each pool is like a family. The people, the comradery, everyone working towards a common goal. It’s great to be a part of this.” Michael says.

Operations Managers

Darren Long

Operations Manager, Carlingford

Darren has been part of the Carlile family since he walked onto the pool deck as a ten-year-old Marlin. He went on to captain the Ryde-Carlile Swimming club at the Olympic trials.
Darren joined us as a teacher in 2006, working alongside our founders Forbes and Ursula Carlile. Progressing through all the key roles, Darren became the Operations Manager at Carlingford in 2019.
“I’ve lived in the area most of my life and love my role, Carlile really cares about their people and it shows. Seeing a child’s confidence and love of swimming grow from lesson to lesson is so rewarding. Sharing their successes is such a joy,” Darren says.
“I love getting to know people and connecting with our families, it’s amazing how much I learn from them.”
Carlile is proud to have such a loyal and approachable manager leading the Carlingford team.

Ginny Shanley

Operations Manager, Cross Street Ryde

Ginny, our longest serving leader, was born to swim and grew up water skiing and playing water polo. Joining us in 1993, Ginny has worked in all the key roles, becoming the Operations Manager at Ryde in 2008.
Ginny worked closely with our founders, Forbes and Ursula Carlile and still maintains a close relationship with Ursula.
“The community we work in at Ryde is rich in Carlile history. Forbes and Ursula are legendary, and I’m proud to say we continue their legacy,” Ginny says.
“There is so much research and expertise behind everything we do. Carlile has developed an outstanding swim program that is backed by science. I love teaching this program and watching the children progress.
“I also respect Carlile’s core values and I’m often thanked by previous employees for the role Carlile has played in their lives.” Ginny says.
Carlile is honoured to have such a loyal and dedicated manager leading the team at Ryde.

Karen Potter

Operations Manager, Norwest

Karen, the ‘baby whisperer’, has lived in the Hills district all her life and began teaching with us in 2003 where her nickname was quickly coined. Time and again Karen would have a nervous bub smiling and giggling in the water.
Karen spent three years as Operations Manager at Carlingford, before taking over at Norwest in 2019.
“I love working with my team, creating an environment where children feel comfortable and develop a love of the water. I also really enjoy being part of the local community. Each day brings new conversations, greater connection and learning,” Karen says.
“Teaching kids is so rewarding. Seeing their smiling faces, hearing about their days. I feel so proud when they have mastered a skill and are rewarded with a promotion, knowing we made it happen together.” Karen says.
Carlile is proud to have such a caring and dedicated manager leading the team at Norwest.

Kim Purnell

Operations Manager, Killarney Heights

Kim first swam with us at the old Bridge Street pool in Pymble and still gets in the water today, having achieved outstanding results, including making a world masters final.
Joining Carlile Swimming, Killarney Heights in 2002, as a Preschool Learn to Swim and Waterbabies teacher, Kim progressed through all the Coordinator and Supervisor roles and became the Operations Manager in 2014.
“The role of Operations Manager has been an incredibly rewarding experience. I have enjoyed making Carlile Killarney Heights a place where people feel comfortable, welcomed and safe.
“I love teaching kids to swim because the difference you make in their lives is incredible. I love that sense of fulfilment when a child is so proud to have mastered a skill you have been working on together.” Kim says
Carlile is proud to have such a dedicated swimmer and teacher leading the pool at Killarney Heights.

Lisa Johnson

Operations Manager, Castle Cove

Lisa was destined to be a teacher, but the classroom’s loss is a massive gain for the families of Castle Cove.
Joining us straight from school, Lisa taught while at university and her passion for kids and swimming was obvious. Just as she was about to graduate from Uni, we offered Lisa a management role at Carlile. With experience at five pools, Lisa is now the Operations Manager at Castle Cove.
“It’s my role to make our families feel welcome and part of our community, where parents and children have a wonderful experience,” Lisa says.
“I love working for a company that is passionate about helping children learn a lifelong skill, which could also save their life. There is nothing better than seeing the kids enjoy their lessons and leaving with a smile on their face.”
Carlile is proud to have a leader at Castle Cove who is always consistent and striving to be her best.

Madeleine Burke

Operations Manager, Five Dock

Maddie was a representative swimmer at school and if you head to our beaches in summer, you’ll still find her competing in ocean swims and run/swim events.
Joining Carlile Swimming in 2013, Maddie progressed through Customer Service and all the teaching and supervising roles, before becoming the Operations Manager at Five Dock in 2018.
“It’s so rewarding, working with others who love teaching kids to swim and supporting them in their professional development, and I really enjoy getting to know all the local families and meeting lots of new faces,” Maddie says.
“At Carlile there is a culture of continual improvement in everything we do. From developments in technology that help us provide better feedback, to best practices in teaching to ensure children learn more effectively.”
Carlile is proud to have such a caring and consistent leader at the Five Dock pool.

Nick Hodgers

Operations Manager, Cherrybrook

Nick’s life in the water has come a long way from his days as a toddler playing in our first indoor teaching pool at Cross Street, Ryde. He swam competitively with us, toured the world with water polo and is a life member of the Ryde Carlile Swimming Club.
Nick began teaching at Norwest in 2004, where he also worked as the School Swimming Coordinator and Facilities Coordinator. In 2006 he moved to Cherrybrook as the Operations Manager.
“My role is very rewarding, especially working with a team of people who are passionate about swimming, either having been swimmers themselves or who love teaching kids to swim,” says Nick.
“I also love being part of the local community. There is always a family atmosphere at the pool and teaching children to swim is incredibly fulfilling.”
Carlile is proud to have such a dedicated and conscientious leader at the Cherrybrook pool.

Mia Stubis

Operations Manager, Lane Cove West

Mia was a water baby from the start. She can’t remember learning to swim but ask her family and they’ll tell you about the little girl always upset when someone tried to drag her out of the water. Joining Carlile as a teacher in 2008, as a way to pay the bills while at university, swimming has become Mia’s life. “Swimming is part of you, it grows on you, then suddenly it is who you are. Working in swimming just makes me happy,” Mia says. Mia completed degrees in Health and Psychology and uses both in her time on pool deck. “Working with people I get to use everything I learnt; we all help each other, and we are imparting something for life. I love Carlile, I love that we concentrate on technique over distance but more than that, its one big family and wherever you go, someone has a story about Carlile swimming. It’s such a great community.” Carlile is proud to have such a dedicated leader at Lane Cove West.

Trent Warne

Operations Manager, Freshwater

Trent is another Carlile Swimming graduate. He learnt to swim with us at Castle Cove, went on to our competitive program and returned in 2010 to become a teacher.
Having worked as a teacher, coordinator and supervisor at Castle Cove, Trent was appointed Operations Manager of our Freshwater facility when it opened in 2019.
“Carlile is a great place to work, we have a fun and dedicated team that love teaching kids to swim. Seeing them progress through the levels and learn new skills is very rewarding,” Trent says.
“I also enjoy working in the Northern Beaches community and love the outdoors, active lifestyle that brings so many families to swimming lessons each week. They all love to swim and want to ensure their children are safer in the water.”
Carlile is proud to have such a loyal and consistent leader at the Freshwater pool.