Our Coaching Team
#MightyMarlinz
Head Coach
Michael Weston
EMAIL: michaelw@northernarena.co.nz
Coast Swim Club has established itself as the premier New Zealand swimming club under the guidance of head coach Michael Weston. Within his first 5-years of tenure, the club has gone from a Top-10 performing club to Number 1.
For his efforts, Weston has led New Zealand as Head Coach to the 2022 & 2024 World Short Course Championships. Weston served as team coach at the 2024 Olympic Games (Paris, France). Weston has also served as team coach at the 2022 (Budapest, Hungary), 2023 (Fukuoka, Japan), 2024 (Doha, Qatar) & 2025 (Singapore) World Championship teams.
Weston has also been part of the International Swim League as an Assistant coach on the LA Current, where he spent two seasons with some of the best athletes and coaches in the world.
Coast Swim Club reached the pinnacle in 2022 by winning its first National Championship at a Senior level. This was defended in 2023, 2024 and 2025 where Coast Swim Club again hoisted the National Championship Trophy.
Weston’s athletes have broken over fifty New Zealand Open Records from 50m to 400m over a variety of strokes and have qualified for high level individual meets such as Olympic Games, World Championships and Commonwealth Games.
Weston has a BSc (Sport Science) and an MBA (Hons), both from Massey University. Westons coaching philosophy centres around laying strong individual and team foundations and allowing for athletic growth to evolve both organically and precisely. Weston believes in “making your own luck”
Last Updated: June 2025.
Junior Squad Coach
Teegan Farr
EMAIL : teeganf@northernarena.co.nz
Teegan Farr is a dedicated swim coach with a strong background in competitive swimming, having represented both Coast Swim Club and Northwave over a 12-year career. His passion for the sport led him into teaching at Northern Arena, where he progressed from assistant coach to leading the Pre-Club, Race Academy, and Junior Squad programs.
Teegan is known for his friendly, energetic approach and his ability to balance fun with structure. He has a proven track record of guiding young swimmers from learn-to-swim through to competitive squads, helping them build the skills and mindset needed for long-term success.
As part of the coaching team at Coast Swim Club, Teegan also supports the Elite and Performance squads, ensuring a smooth transition for swimmers through the development pathway. In both 2023 and 2024, he was selected as a Caro Cup coach for the Auckland region, placing over 20 junior swimmers on representative teams across the two years. Many of these athletes have progressed to become finalists and medalists at the New Zealand Age Group Championships (NAGs).
Teegan’s commitment to coaching excellence was recognised when he was one of just twenty coaches nationwide selected for the Swimming New Zealand Coaching Development Course, led by internationally renowned coach educator Wayne Goldsmith.
Teegan continues to play a key role in fostering a positive, high-performance culture among junior swimmers, preparing them for the next steps in their competitive journey.
Last Updated: June, 2025.
Assistant Head coach
John Gatfield
EMAIL: johng@northernarena.co.nz
John Gatfield is a highly accomplished swim coach with an impressive track record of success. With his coaching expertise, he has guided numerous swimmers to international meets such as the World Championships and Commonwealth Games. His swimmers have also gone on to achieve medal-winning performances at the Youth Olympic, Junior World Championships, and Junior Pan Pacific Championships.
With 10 years experience, three of which as the Assistant Head Coach of St Peters Western in Australia, John has worked alongside the renowned Dean Boxall, honing his coaching skills to an exceptional level. John's coaching style is focused on fostering a positive and supportive environment that encourages his swimmers to achieve their best. His commitment to building strong relationships with his athletes has been instrumental in helping them break numerous New Zealand and Australian swimming records.
John's coaching philosophy centers around the belief that every swimmer has the potential to be great, and he works tirelessly to help his athletes realize their true potential. His passion for the sport is infectious, and his ability to motivate his swimmers to push themselves to the limit is truly unparalleled. John is a coach who truly cares about his athletes and is fully committed to helping them succeed at the highest level.
Last Updated: 25 May, 2023.
Development Squad Coach
Steven Ferguson
EMAIL : stevenf@northernarena.co.nz
Coast Swim Club is excited to have Steven Ferguson joining our coaching staff taking on the role of coaching our Development Squad.
Steven has won hundreds of Age Group and Open National records and titles over his 15 years of swimming. Steven has competing in many World Cups, winning medals and he has participated in the World Championships, Commonwealth Games, and the Olympic Games. Steven has also competed in four World Surf Lifesaving Championships winning numerous World Titles including beating Australia in 2012.
Steven raced in the Kellogg’s Nutra-Grain Series and assistant coach of the NZ Black Fins victory at the 2016 World Championships. Additionally, he served as the head coach of the Black Fins team, racing at the German Cup and Orange Cup. Steve was also head coach of Piha SLSC for seven years, during which they won Northern Region Top Surf Club, NZ Pool Champs Top Club, and Steve coaches athletes to junior world titles and world records.
In addition to Steven’s Swimming and Surf Lifesaving accomplishments, Steven also kayaked at three Olympics - Athens, Beijing, and London - and competed in eight World Kayak Championships. He also served as the head coach of the U/23 Women’s Kayak Team.
Additionally, Steven had the privilege of competing in the America’s Cup, where he won the World Championship Series and later went on to win the America’s Cup in Auckland.
Stevens diverse knowledge and experience across multiple sports is of the highest level, we are privileged to have him as part of our Coast Team supporting our athletes on their swimming journey.
Last Updated June, 2025.