Staff and Coaches
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Executive Director |
Theresa Malar brings nearly 20 years of coaching experience, working with youth across a broad range of ages. As HAC’s Executive Director, she combines her expertise in swimming with a strong background in not-for-profit management. Theresa is passionate about fostering growth and excellence within organizations, leveraging her experience in strategic planning, operational management, and team development. Her career is defined by a commitment to building resilient teams and cultivating environments where innovation and collaboration flourish. A dedicated advocate for youth development and community engagement, Theresa is particularly focused on expanding access to swim programs for youth in Hamilton and is committed to providing HAC members with the best opportunities to achieve their goals and realize their full potential. |
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Head Coach Senior Performance & High Performance |
In joining the Hamilton Aquatic Club, Courtney brings an impressive wealth of experience, qualifications, and a proven record of coaching excellence. Courtney spent six years working alongside some of Canada’s top high-performance coaches at the Etobicoke Swim Club (ESWIM), where the team remained undefeated at the Junior Provincial Championships, captured multiple Age Group National titles, and set numerous club records. She went on to lead the Dorado Stars Swim Club as Head Coach for 10 years, guiding the program to the 2014 Central Region Small Team Championship title. Her leadership and athlete-centered approach have consistently inspired excellence at every level of competition. Courtney’s impact has extended beyond the club level to the international stage. From 2010–2013, she mentored athletes who represented Team Canada at the North American Challenge Cup, and in 2016, she coached Tess Routliffe to the Rio Paralympic Games—where Tess earned a remarkable silver medal. In recognition of her excellence, Courtney was named Swimming Canada’s Female Para Swimmer Coach of the Year in both 2014 and 2015. Today, in her third year with HAC, Courtney continues to develop and guide athletes to competing and performing at the Regional level, Ontario Age Group and Ontario Swimming Championship Meets. Her dedication to athlete growth, team culture, and long-term development has made her a respected leader within the Canadian swimming community. Her philosophy, rooted in commitment, trust, and the pursuit of excellence. “I am truly honoured and proud to be part of this incredible community and organization. It’s a privilege to be here, and I’m deeply grateful for the opportunity. The responsibility that comes with HAC’s rich history is both inspiring and motivating , a challenge to leave our mark with the next generation of swimmers and families. This is HAC, and we are on the rise!” |
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Reid Scarrow Head Age Group Coach |
With over 20 years of experience in competitive swimming, I’ve had the privilege of both competing at the highest levels and coaching the next generation of athletes. I swam with the Oakville Aquatic Club and the University of Calgary Swim Club, earning multiple Provincial medals, representing Team Ontario at elite competitions, and competing at the Canadian Olympic Trials in 2012 and 2016. The lasting impact that my coaches had on me throughout my swimming career played a major role in inspiring me to become a coach. I’m passionate about making that same kind of impact—helping young swimmers set goals, grow through the process, and reach their full potential. Throughout my coaching career, I’ve worked with swimmers across a broad range of ages and skill levels, from beginners just learning to love the sport, to advanced athletes who have medaled at both the Provincial and National levels. I believe in creating a training environment rooted in discipline, teamwork, and consistent effort—balanced with fun, positivity, and personal growth. My coaching philosophy centers around the belief that swimming should be both rewarding and enjoyable. I aim to help my athletes develop not just as swimmers, but as well-rounded individuals, gaining confidence, resilience, and life skills along the way. |
Coach: Level 3 Gold
Sarah Hodge
Coach: Level 2 Black
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Kira Thrall Coach: Level 2 Gold |
Kira has been part of the Hamilton Aquatic Club family since 2018, in various roles in the club.
A former HAC swimmer herself, she traded her goggles for a stopwatch after high school and
hasn’t looked back. Her journey from athlete to coach gies her a unique perspective and a deep
understanding of the swimmer’s experience, from early morning practices to achieving those big
meet milestones.
Kira loves watching swimmers grow confident in their strokes and stiving to reach their goals.
She has supported athletes competing at Regionals, Ontario Age Group, and Ontario
Championship meets, helping them push their limits and celebratng their successes. She enjoys
taking a closer look at swimmers’ strokes and dialing back the speed to fine-tune technical
details. A firm believer that strong technique is the foundation for great results, Kira strives to
help her swimmers build skills that last both in and out of the pool. She aims to create a
supportive, positive, and fun environment where athletes can grow not only as swimmers but as
confident young people.
With a deep love for movement and health, Kira finds joy in passing on the passion, discipline,
and values she discovered through swimming to the next generation of HAC athletes. A lifelong
learner, she’s always looking for new ways to challenge both herself and her swimmers. Kira
graduated from Mohawk College in 2023 with a diploma in Health, Wellness, and Fitness, and
she’s currently working toward her Nutrition certification, because apparently, she just can’t stop
learning.
When she’s not on deck, you’ll probably find Kira experimenting in the kitchen (with mixed
results but great enthusiasm), tent camping with her husband, crafting, or hiking - especially
when visiting family in Calgary. She’s also an avid reader who never misses a chance to browse
through an Indigo…“just for a quick look,” of course. And when it’s time to unwind, Kira loves
gathering with friends and family for a good board or card game, though fair warning, she can
get just a little competitive
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Lisa Hodge Coach: Level 1 Black |
Coach Lisa is our Level 1 Black coach; she approaches swimming from a “fundamentals” perspective, promoting skill development and fun, and above all, a love of swimming! A former HAC swimmer, Lisa was plucked from traditional city swim lessons to join HAC (then HWAC) and she swam through her years at university, with such coaching greats as John Butler, Nick Rottmann, Brian Bond, and Gaye Stratten. As a former swimmer and swim mom, a Level 2 NCCP certified coach, and a Level 3 official, Coach Lisa brings a unique holistic perspective and experience to the pool deck. Every swim year is a pleasure and a surprise, and each year brings hope and opportunity to discover something about ourselves – both swimmers and coaches! |
Mike Butler
Coach: Level 1 Gold
Ainsley Hodge
Coach: Age Group Flex
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Kendra Beckman Junior Competitive Coordinator |
Kendra Beckman (She/Her) is the Junior Competitive Coordinator for the 2022/2023 season at the Hamilton Aquatic Club. Fundamentals Coach certified, Parent Council Chair, Organizer Extraordinaire, Wife and Mom to one child. If she was stranded on a deserted Caribbean island it would soon look like “The Swiss Family Robinson” treehouse and as long as there was cheesecake… well, that sounds like bliss. In 1995 just a few credits shy of finishing a degree in Interior Design, she left school to tour the USA with punk rock bands, acting as a tour manager. From her pre-teen years and into her mid 30’s music had an important role in her life. A three-day music festival was her first introduction into organizing big events at the tender age of 18. Full of gusto and DIY (do it yourself) ethos, with no clue she could fail. The concert was a huge success. Music led her to having a friend group that spanned the globe. The underground and independent music scene introduced her to her husband. Following a 6 1/2 year long distance relationship, they married and she relocated to Hamilton ON. Canada. Many unconventional paths are in thanks to a hippie mother giving her a childhood full of freedom to make her own choices and follow her passions. As a pre-teen she was diagnosed with a learning disability, which explained a lot of hardships throughout her school career. From that point on she had to teach herself different ways to learn. In th summer of 1989 she joined the high school swim team. There she started swimming double session practices to be ready for the start of the swim season. She excelled at backstroke and freestyle, ...those other strokes….Meh! Her biggest success was going to state finals swimming the 1500 freestyle and the backstroke leg in the 200 medley relay SCY(short course yards). Those peaks and valleys gave her an unconventional twist on learning. She is a connector with a desire to build community, team work, and care for one another. These values align with her goals for the Novice program. Further goals are to initiate more crossover from higher level swimmers to demonstrate skills, showing younger swimmers what is possible, to celebrate accomplishments and to have kids learn skills on multiple planes; physical, mental and emotional. To help build resilient swimmers who can achieve big goals, and have fun! |
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Tatum Kewley HAC Swim School Coordinator |
Tatum Kewley is HAC’s Swim School Coordinator and Administrative Assistant, dedicated to fostering a positive and engaging environment for young swimmers. A former HAC swimmer herself, Tatum brings firsthand experience and a deep understanding of the team’s values to her role. With a passion for youth development and aquatic education, she plays a key role in coordinating programs that help swimmers build confidence, skills, and a lifelong love for the sport. Her commitment to organization and excellence ensures that both swimmers and families have a smooth and supportive experience within the HAC community. Known for her enthusiasm, professionalism, and genuine care for each athlete’s progress, Tatum continues to be an integral part of HAC’s mission to nurture growth both in and out of the pool. |
2025/2026 Board of Directors
| President: | Kaitlyn McLachlan |
| Vice President: | Cynthia Meneses |
| Treasurer: | Erin Littlejohns |
| Secretary: | Katie Kitney |
Directors:
- Zendra Bell
- Ghada Faddoul
- Elizabeth Harrington
- Guy Lavallee
- Jeff Mallany
- Deb Mawdsley
- Heemanshu Pushkarna
- David Pugliese
