Welcome to a New Era of Performance Swimming in the Waikato

Delivering a comprehensive training program that immerses athletes in a daily, athlete-centered environment for swimming development.

RPC’s VISION – To create an athlete centric environment that drives swimmers to win medals at pinnacle international events.

RPC’s PURPOSE – Bringing together like-minded swimmers to achieve a common goal, through world-class coaching and accountability to the process of becoming professional/elite athletes and leaders within the community.

RPC’s VALUES 

  • Accountability – Honest application to the standards you have set for yourself.

  • Perseverance – Learning through experience and never giving up in pursuit of your goal.

  • Support – Celebrating teammate’s successes.

  • Excellence – Aiming to perform at a world-class standard daily.

 

Coaching & Program Administration

Training Times

Pool – Waterworld Aquatic Centre 

  • Mon 5.30-7.30am and 5.30-7.30pm (25m)
  • Tues 4-6pm (25m)
  • Wed 5.30-7.30am (50m lanes), 4-5.30pm (25m)
  • Thurs 4-6pm (25m)
  • Fri 5.30-7.30am (50m), 4-5.30pm (25m)
  • Sat 7.00-9.30am (25m)

Gym – First Place Fitness Hamilton

  • Wednesday 6pm and Friday 6pm

 

RPC Squad

Mat Woofe

Mat is the Head Coach of the RPC and Hamilton Aquatics. Mat has previously coached at the Swimming New Zealand Training Centre as well as Melbourne Vicentre in Australia. Mat has coached several top national swimmers and has coached on several New Zealand teams including the 2020 Paralympics and the 2018 Commonwealth Games.

Gina McCarthy

Gina is a specialist IM and Backstroke swimmer who represents Hamilton Aquatics. Gina has won several NZ Open Titles across various distances and strokes and is also a NZ Record Holder. Gina has been selected to several NZ Teams as well as World Short Course, Junior Pan Pacs and a number of other teams that have raced around the world.

Orlando Hardie

Orlando is a specialist Freestyle and Butterfly swimmer who represents Hamilton Aquatics. Orlando has won many National Age Group Titles across the above strokes and holds several Waikato Records. Orlando has represented NZ on a number of age group teams including Tri-Series and Queensland Champs.

Chloe Peters

Chloe is a specialist Butterfly and Freestyle swimmer who represents Hamilton Aquatics. Chloe has won many National Age Group Titles across the above strokes and holds several Waikato Records. Chloe has represented NZ on the Tri-Series Team.

Ethan Macdonald

Ethan is a specialist Backstroke swimmer who represents Hamilton Aquatics. Ethan has won many National Age Group Titles across all three Backstroke distances and holds several Waikato Records. Ethan has represented Waikato on a number of occasions, primarily on their annual Regional Squad team to Queensland and Australian Age Championships.

Pippa Mihaka

Pippa is a specialist Backstroke swimmer who represents Hamilton Aquatics. Pippa has won many National Age Group Titles across all three Backstroke distances and holds several Waikato Records. Pippa has represented NZ on a number of age group teams including the Tri-Series and at Queensland Championships.

Liam Woods

Liam is a specialist Backstroke swimmer who represents St Pauls Swimming Club. Liam has swum in many national finals across all three Backstroke distances. Liam represented Waikato on a number of occasions, primarily on their annual Regional Squad team to Queensland and the Australian Age Championships.

Holli Macdonald

Holli is a specialist Freestyle swimmer who represents Hamilton Aquatics. Holli has swum in many national finals, finishing on the podium in Freestyle events across several distances. Holli has represented Waikato primarily on their annual Regional Squad teams to the Australian Age Group Championships.

Paige Stringer

Paige is a specialist Backstroke swimmer who represents Hamilton Aquatics. Paige has swam in many national finals finishing on the podium in Backstroke events across all distances. Paige has represented Waikato on a number of occasions, primarily on the annual Regional Squad teams to Queensland Championships.

Ariella Riley

Ariella specialises in all four strokes and the IM events as well who represents Hamilton Aquatics. Ariella has won many National Age Group Titles across all strokes and distances. Ariella has represented NZ on age group teams including the Tri-Series.

Indy Riley

Indy is a specialist Freestyle swimmer who represents Hamilton Aquatics. Indy has swum in many national finals finishing on the podium in Freestyle events across several distances. Indy has represented Waikato on a number of occasions, primarily on their annual Regional Squad teams.

Facilities & Resources

Career & Academic Development

It is encouraged that all RPC swimmers are studying or working alongside swimming. One of the key philosophies is that we develop people and not just swimmers. The University of Waikato has one of the most comprehensive scholarships to elite athletes, The Hilary Scholarship, for more information please see here. Sir Edmund Hillary Scholarship – Scholarships: University of Waikato

Applications & Info

  • Contact Coach Woofe via contact link below with any relevant questions
  • Face to face discussion with coach will be arranged
  • Notification of the outcome of the application will be processed as soon as possible
  • Successful swimmers to sign swimmer agreement and code of conduct

6 + 14 =

Additional Information

RPC FAQ's

Are out of region swimmers allowed to join?
Any swimmer can apply for the Waikato RPC. Swimmers can speak with Coach Mat Woofe and/or apply via the link provided.

 

Which club would I represent at Nationals (RPC or Home Club) ?
All RPC members will have a dual membership within Swimming New Zealand as members of the RPC and their home club. For all international (non SNZ) and national level competitions the swimmers will swim under the RPC, allowing relay teams etc irrespective of club membership. For all regional and club meets swimmers will represent their home Swimming Waikato club.
Will I be able to study or work?
It is encouraged that all RPC swimmers are studying or working alongside swimming. One of the key philosophies is that we develop people and not just swimmers. The University of Waikato has one of the most comprehensive scholarships to elite athletes, The Hilary Scholarship, for more information please see here. Sir Edmund Hillary Scholarship – Scholarships: University of Waikato.

 

Will there be Long Course training?
The RPC squad will train long course throughout the year. Availability does change, however we swim long course a minimum of twice a week.

 

Can I continue to swim for my home club as well as the RPC?
You will be able to swim for your home club, however this would need to be a Swimming Waikato member club. You will be expected to race at Nationals and designated ‘Qualification Meets’ under the RPC, all other meets you will represent your Home Club.
Will the RPC team travel to international events?
Yes. The RPC will travel to relevant meets outside of NZ on a regular basis. Meets would be identified to maximise athlete development and give athletes the experience to make New Zealand teams and then compete successfully.

Governance Structure

The RPC is a join venture between Hamilton Aquatics, & Swimming Waikato . Both parties are signatories of a joint Memorandum of Understanding, committing us to act in good faith throughout the duration of our agreement (2024-28); pledging to uphold the principles of honesty, integrity, and mutual respect in all our interactions.

RPC-Waikato has formed  a Working-Group with representation from all parties which will provide a report back to their respective Committee or Board

Athlete Safeguarding

All swimmers are required to belong to a Swimming Waikato club, therefore will be affiliated members of Swimming Waikato. The Swimming Waikato Code of Conduct applies to all its members and persons participating/connected to Swimming NZ activities.

Athlete wellbeing is central to the operations of the RPC and like any Swimming Waikato affiliated Club, it will be bound by the member protection policy and codes of conduct of our regional federation. In addition, all swimmers will have access to Swimming Waikato’s Member Protection Advisor (MPA), in the event that this service is required.

Any ongoing concerns can also be raised with Swimming Waikato by contacting our CEO: [email protected]

Code of Conduct

Learn More

Follow our Journey

address

Sport Waikato Office

Brian Perry Sports House,

Wintec Rotokauri Campus, 

51 Akoranga Road, Hamilton, 3200

 

call us

(+64) 27 776 6684

Phone Hours 9am-3pm