Courtesy: Toronto Olympian Swim Team
The Toronto Olympian Swim Team, TORCH Swimming, is thrilled to announce that two-time Olympian and prominent Canadian Coach, Darren Ward has been appointed Head Coach of TORCH Swimming. Olympian Swimming operates one of the largest, private learn to swim schools in Canada, providing swim lessons to more than six thousand swimmers weekly. TORCH Swimming operates out of three locations in the Greater Toronto Area, including its own privately run facilities in Scarborough and Markham.
Owners Shauna Devine and Gary Nolden noted, “We are so pleased to welcome Coach Ward to TORCH Swimming. With his proven record of excellence in coaching and as a former Olympic swimmer, we are looking forward to seeing him bring Torch to prominence at the provincial, national, and international levels—this is the beginning of an exciting new chapter for TORCH Swimming.”
Coach Ward has been coaching professionally in Canada for over 25 years. He has held several key head coaching positions during his career, including seven years as the Head Coach of the Scarborough Swim Club, where he was instrumental in more than tripling its competitive membership during his tenure. He has also been the Head Coach of the Hamilton Aquatic Club, Markham Aquatic Club, and the Saskatoon Lasers Swim Club. Coach Ward also spent seven years as the Assistant Head Coach of the Mississauga Aquatic Club. His swimmers have achieved success at every level of Canadian swimming with athletes moving on to swimming scholarships in the United States as well as competing for Canadian Universities. He has also coached swimmers to National Age group and Provincial Age group records
Prior to coaching, Darren was a world class swimmer who competed in every major international competition, highlighted by winning the 1991 World Cup in the Individual Medley category. Ward grew up in Fullerton California, where he swam for Olympic Coach, Bud McAllister and trained alongside swimming legend Janet Evans. He represented Canada in two consecutive Olympic Games; in 1988 (with coach Bud McAllister) and in 1992 (with legendary coach Derek Snelling). He is a former Canadian and Commonwealth Games Record Holder in the 100 I.M. & 200 I.M and ranked number one in the world in the short course 200 I.M. and 400 I.M. in 1992. He also medaled at the Pan Pacific Championships, Commonwealth Games and Pan American Games!
“Shauna and Gary have really built something special with Olympian Swimming. their passion is infectious, and I cannot wait to lead the competitive program where the vision is to produce top level Provincial, National and International swimmers.” said Ward, Noting, “This will be no small task, but I feel confident in Shauna and Gary’s support as well as the shared insights from my coaching staff, that this is a vision that can come to fruition.” adding, “I am overly excited to be a part of the TORCH family”
Coach Ward will begin this new role August 1, 2022.
Great article, congratulations my friend