MEET THE COACHES

HEAD COACH

This year will be Kate's 16th season coaching the Needham Sharks.

Originally from Needham, she began her swimming career at on the Charles River YMCA Tsunamis, and spent many summers swimming for the Sharks. Kate was a four-year varsity member of Needham High’s swim team, where she was also named captain.

After graduating from Needham High School, Kate earned her bachelors in History from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, and her masters in Social Studies Education from Boston University. 

When she's not on the Rosemary pool deck, Kate can be found at Norwood High School teaching US History. During the fall season, Kate is the Head Coach of the Needham Girls Varsity Swim Team.

Kate enjoys being able to facilitate the growth of all athletes, especially through the many valuable life lessons learned through competitive swimming.  Kate believes the sport of swimming fosters strong team relationships and personal work ethic, and she is looking forward to supporting the development of all the Shark swimmers at the RRC this summer. 

8 & UNDER COACH

This is Sydney’s second year coaching for Needham Sharks, after swimming for the Sharks since she was 10! 

She started swimming at the Charles River YMCA, where she also coached during her junior and senior years of high school. She swam for WSA and the Needham High School team, before taking a step back from competing her sophomore year. Sydney also helped to manage the NHS Boys Varsity Swim Team during her senior year.

Sydney just finished her first year at Vanderbilt University, where she is studying Child Development and Human and Organizational Development. She’s so excited to be back this summer and to continue working with our amazing young swimmers, fostering a fun and positive environment while building swimming skills and confidence in the water!

9 & 10 COACH

This year is Francesca’s 7th year coaching for the Sharks, and she is so excited to be working at the Rosemary Pool!

Francesca has been a competitive swimmer since she was 5 years old! This year marks her 19th year participating on the Sharks. Francesca swam for the Needham High School varsity team, where she specialized in distance and IM and served as a captain her senior year. Francesca attended Brandeis University, where she swam for four years, and graduated with an education degree. In the off season, Francesca teaches in Milton.

Francesca can’t wait to help the 9 and 10 year old swimmers learn more about the sport, and be able to share some of the knowledge she has picked up over the years to others! She hopes each swimmer takes away a new skill or piece of information after every practice or meet, and most of all, leaves with a huge smile on their face! GO SHARKS!!

11 & 12 COACH

Brian grew up in Needham and has been part of the Needham Sharks family since he was 8 years old. He began competitively swimming at just 6 years old and recently graduated from Catholic Memorial School. Brian is excited to continue his academic and athletic career next year as a Division I swimmer at Marist University.

In addition to his swimming career, Brian has spent the last 4 years giving back to the Sharks program as a volunteer coach, helping younger swimmers develop both their skills and confidence in the water. Along with coaching this summer, he will also be lifeguarding at Rosemary Pool. One of Brian’s favorite parts of swimming has always been the strong team environment and the lifelong friendships and memories the sport has given him.

13 & 14 COACH

Becky is excited to join the Sharks coaching staff for her first season as a coach after many years as a swimmer on the team. Having grown up with the Sharks community, she is thrilled to continue supporting and giving back to the program that has meant so much to her.

Becky has been competitively swimming since the age of 6 and has been a Shark since the summer of 2017. She began her swimming career at the Charles River YMCA and later competed for WSA and the Needham High School swim team, where she served as team captain during her senior year.

This past year, Becky continued her swimming career at Babson College, where she competes in the 100 and 200 backstroke events. When home for the summer, she continues training with CRA. In addition to swimming, Becky is studying technological entrepreneurship.

Becky is especially excited to work with the 13–14 age group this season and looks forward to creating a fun, encouraging, and supportive environment for all swimmers.

15-18 COACH

Leo is originally from Guatemala but has resided in Massachusettes for 18 years and is extremely excited to be entering his first year coaching with the Needham Sharks after swimming for the Sharks last summer! 

Along with swimming for the Sharks, Leo is currently apart of the swim and dive program and is an incoming Sophomore Business Major at Wheaton College, He also swam on Charles River Aquatics for 7 years and has been apart of Guatemalan National Team for the last 5 years. One of his favorite parts of the sport has been the opportunities to travel, compete, and be part of supportive team environments.