First and foremost, I am a proud father to my two beautiful children, Sophia and Ben, and husband to my wife, Jodie. My family is at the heart of everything I do and the reason Tralee Little Dolphins means so much to me.
Swimming Is Part of My Story
Swimming has been part of my life from a very young age, and that journey began with my late father.
My father was the founder of South Tipperary Dolphin Swimming Club, and it was there that I was first introduced to swimming through the Halliwick approach.
As my swimming developed, so did my father's role in my journey. He later became my coach in the elite squad at Olympic Swimming Club in Clonmel, taking me from those early experiences in the water through to competitive swimming.
I went on to represent Tipperary, train with the Irish swimming team and compete at a high level. I also played water polo, winning Munster titles, and later continued swimming with Cork Masters.
My involvement in aquatics extended far beyond competing. I worked as a swimming teacher, water polo coach, pool and river lifeguard and supervisor, and held various positions within clubs, including roles as Secretary and Chairperson.
Swimming gave me far more than sporting achievements. It gave me confidence, friendships, discipline, independence and a place where I belonged.
Education & Supporting Young People
My other great passion has always been education and working with young people.
My teaching career has included working in Clonakilty and in Ballyfermot as a Behaviour Support Coordinator, an experience that greatly developed my understanding of behaviour, individual needs and the importance of looking at the person behind the behaviour.
For over 16 years, I have taught at Presentation Brothers College Cork, working with young people of all abilities, including children and young people with additional needs.
Throughout those years, my involvement has extended far beyond the classroom. I have been involved in swimming, film, student wellbeing, coaching and the management of rugby teams within the school.
Before becoming a secondary school teacher, I also worked in recreation management, while my earlier leadership experience included serving as Student Union President at Crawford College and holding various roles within MTU Cork.
All of those experiences have reinforced my belief that every young person needs opportunities to discover their strengths, build confidence and find somewhere they feel they belong.
Sophia, Jodie & Tralee Little Dolphins
Despite a lifetime around swimming and years working with young people, becoming a parent gave me an entirely different understanding of inclusion.
Our daughter Sophia is at the heart of why Tralee Little Dolphins exists.
When we tried to find suitable swimming lessons for Sophia, Jodie was the driving force. She was determined to find an environment where our daughter would be understood, supported and given the opportunity to enjoy the water in her own way and at her own pace.
Jodie simply wouldn't give up.
Eventually, our search for an opportunity for Sophia became something bigger. We realised there were many other families of children with additional needs looking for exactly the same thing.
That determination helped inspire Tralee Little Dolphins.
Jodie continues to be an enormous part of everything we do. Much of her contribution happens behind the scenes, but her work, support and determination to create opportunities not only for Sophia but for all children with additional needs are fundamental to what Little Dolphins has become.
My Father's Legacy
My father's influence on Tralee Little Dolphins goes much deeper than swimming.
He lived with the effects of polio, yet dedicated so much of his own life to disability advocacy, inclusion and creating opportunities for people with disabilities.
He taught me about inclusion not through words, but through how he lived his life.
He was also the person who introduced me to the water, founded South Tipperary Dolphin Swimming Club and later became my coach as I progressed into elite competitive swimming.
When I think about it today, there is a remarkable connection between generations.
My father created an opportunity that allowed me to discover the water. Years later, Jodie's determination to create that same opportunity for Sophia helped inspire me to do something similar for another generation of children.
That connection means a great deal to me.
Coming Full Circle
There are days when I stand beside the pool at Tralee Little Dolphins and realise just how much life has come full circle.
I began as a child learning through Halliwick at South Tipperary Dolphin Swimming Club, a club founded by my father.
He later became my coach as I progressed through competitive swimming.
Swimming became part of my life.
Then many years later, my own daughter brought me back to where it all started.
Only now, medals and winning aren't what matter.
Success might be a child putting their face in the water for the first time.
It might be floating independently, trusting a coach, joining an activity, overcoming a fear or simply arriving at the pool excited to get in.
Those are our medals.
For me, Tralee Little Dolphins brings together so many parts of my life: my father's legacy, my own journey in swimming, more than 16 years in education, Jodie's determination and, above everything, our children Sophia and Ben.
What started generations ago has come full circle.
And now we have the privilege of helping another generation of children discover what the water can give them.
Confidence. Friendship. Opportunity. Independence. Belonging.
SwimPlayGrowBelong
