Craig Nieuwstad will be named the Head Coach and General Manager of the Regina Optimist Dolphins Swim Team

Head Coach

Message from the Head Coach:

Today, I have the honour and the privilege to announce that Craig Nieuwstad will be named the Head Coach and General Manager of the Regina Optimist Dolphins SwimTeam starting August 1, 2021.

With mixed feelings, I am heartbroken to leave the Dolphins family and the Cougars swim team but am also excited for a new challenge in my coaching career.

After 7 years as a leader of the Regina Optimist Dolphins Swim Team and the Cougar Women’s and Men’s swim team, I have accepted a new challenge that will help me to grow as a coach and advance my career, as I focus on wanting to keep learning and keep growing.

Since I started in 2014, I have had a chance to work with great swimmers, great parents and great volunteers. We built a strong team based on our shared values; being athlete-centred and performance-driven.

With the great coaching staff that I have had a chance to work with, we did achieve some great performances:

  • We built the best learn to swim program and Pre-Competitive programs in town and in the province.
  • ManSask Champions every single season and 7 straight wins
  • We put swimmers on the Junior National Team (Brian Palaschuk 2016 and Michael McGillivray 2018)
  • Winning a medal at the international stage (Brian Palaschuk at the 2016 Jr Pan Pacs)
  • Over than 100 provincial records, all age groups and both genders.
  • Multiple medals at the Canadian Trials and Canadian Nationals
  • Cougars TOP 6 at Nationals women’s and men’s team
  • Noah Choboter 2016 Cougars athletes of the year.
  • Brian Palaschuk 2018 Cougars athletes of the year.
  • Noah Choboter 2 golds medals at the CIS Nationals
  • Brian Palaschuk program's leader in national medals with five national medals
  • Eva Madar CanWest champion and the first Cougars woman medalist at Nationals.

All of these achievements will not be the highlight of my 7 years in Regina: it will be the great people that I had a chance to work with, to learn from, and with my memories from the Queen City.

I’m confident that Coach Craig will take both programs, club and varsity to the next level. He is a great coach, both professional and enthusiastic.

I will help facilitate a smooth transition during the summer, and I wish everyone the best for the future. My destination will be announced Friday, June 18, 2021

See you on the pool deck at the Nationals.