David Tonge MSc

Dave Tonge MSc – My Profile:

• Over twenty five years’ experience teaching & coaching all abilities including 5 years as Head Coach of UWICs Junior Swimming Academy developing children from grassroots level to county & national level.

• 10 years as a Duty Manager at Cardiff Met sports facilities managing a team of staff for the effective day to day running of the academic programme, the children’s sports academies as well as external sports competitions.

• 8 years lecturing sports coaching (Swimming) Teaching students how to analyse, teach & coach the four competitive swimming strokes

• 8 years as swimming performance director at Cardiff Met uni. Coaching the university swim team and helping them achieve a record 5th overall in the UK at BUCS National level.

• During my time at Cardiff Met I had the pleasure of working with commonwealth & Olympic swimmers including 2 times Olympian Ieuan Lloyd. Swimmer testimonial – “I competed under Cardiff Met for 3 years while I was at university. I saw the team grow and improve every year thanks to Dave. He managed to inspire and push so many athletes though challenging and enjoyable sessions. His enthusiasm and knowledge of the sport showed every day and it was nice to see the team progress while i was there. He even managed to get me back into the pool after I retired from swimming in 2016 and it gave me great satisfaction to do some hard training again. Dave is awesome bloke that sees the potential in every athlete and puts every effort into getting the most out of his swimmers. Most importantly he wasn’t just a coach to me, he was a good friend and I felt comfortable talking to him about any issues I had, Which I think is a vital aspect of a coach and athlete relationship and I want to thank him for everything he has done for me since starting at Cardiff met Uni”

• In 2018 I left Cardiff Met & became a proud business owner which has gone from strength to Strength. – Heathwood Swimming, Heathwood children’s swimming academy & founder of Heathwood Tri club

Dave Tonge (coach), Gareth Thomas (swimmer) & Shane Williams (swimmer)

Heathwood swimmers competing at Long course weekend in Tenby.

Qualifications, Awards & Recognition:

– Ex National Performance Squad Swimmer at City of Cardiff Swimming Club under Olympic coaches Dave Haller & John Stout

– Vast Experience in Open Water Swimming training & events

– Competed in Tenby LCW Wales Swim 2013-2022 (PB 48:18)

– Completed Longcourse weekend Tenby 2016, 2018 & 2019.

**MSc Physical Activity & Health & Teaching Fellow** **Higher Education Academy**

**RLSS National Pool Lifeguard Qualification & RLSS Trainer / Assessor**

**First Aid at work Qualification & First Aid at work Trainer / Assessor**

**Swimming Pool Plant room Operators Certificate**

– Award for Most Improved Team 2014 – Cardiff Met Swimming

Dave Tonge & Richard Tong (Dean of sport )

– Award for Coach of the year 2016 – Cardiff Met Swimming

– Award for Services to Cardiff Met Student Sport 2019

– Royal life saving society uk award service medal for 16+ Years of service 2017

Dave Tonge, Charlotte Tonge & Bobby Tonge

– Taught Gareth ‘Alfie’ Thomas to swim in 7 months and helped him complete LCW 2019 & Ironman Wales 2019 in a swim time of 1:24.00 (Watch BBC Documentary HIV & Me)

– Completed a 21 mile channel swim in my endless pool for NHS Charities during Covid 19 lockdown raising £5300

– Official World Record & Guinness World Record for longest wetsuit swim in an endless swimming pool (24 hours) raising over £10,000 for Velindre cancer care Cardiff