Meet Our Coaches:
Hi all!
I am Emmerick Thompson, I am 24 years old and grew up in Chicago, Illinois! I moved to Japan August 2021, and after a long year of not knowing where my life in Japan would take me I found YJSST and began coaching Red/Green. Growing up I competed in many different sports , but mainly swimming and triathlon. I swam competitively from age 8-15 with HWSA out of Palos, Il, and can say the team helped foster my love for the sport! I am currently enrolled in college at Arizona State University and hope to complete my Early Childhood Education degree Spring 2024!
I was a competitive swimmer and diver in highschool. I was also a club swimmer and diver, and a collegiate diver.
My main swimming events were anything IM (200/400) and Fly (100/200 and relays)
When I was in HS my summers were spent working for Aquatics in NYC. There I coached and taught swimming lessons, from tots to more senior swimmers. Because of my competitive background, I was given the opportunity to work more with the kids who already knew 4 competitive strokes and I would focus on technique (breathing, flip-turns, positioning, better starting). When I went on to college, I still coached in the summers back in NYC and this time I was able to work with my club team doing the same. The last coaching/ teaching job I had was when I worked at a water park in Texas, in the mornings they had swimming lessons again ranging from tots to competitive swimmers. There, I had the opportunity to work again with advanced swimmers and very beginner swimmers. The instructors were shuffled around so that everyone had the opportunity to experience all 4 levels (that's what they divided the swimmers into). Overall, I've had experience with beginner to more experienced swimmers as well as competitive swimmers.
Welcome to the 2023-2024 season! We are looking forward to a great season!
My name is Leah Zang and I’m the new head coach and will be coaching the White and Blue teams. A little about me: I was born, raised, and educated in the Pacific Northwest. I have a master’s degree in teaching and have taught elementary school in VA and CA. I currently work as a Financial Analyst for a government contractor. I have been married for 13 years and have two kids who will be awesome cheerleaders at the swim meets �� I was on the swim team in high school and have coached four years of high school swimming and 8 years of a summer swim league. My family and I got to Japan in March '23 and have just been getting settled and exploring our new home!
My name is Matt Keller and I am coaching morning swim team practice from 0600-0700 every Monday and Wednesday. Practice will focus on a combination of technique, endurance, starts, and turns. The typical distance is around 2000-2500 meters, so primarily geared to the older kids but all ages are welcome.
You may know me either as one of the swim officials, or because I have 3 boys on the team. My background includes swimming at the youth and collegiate level. Look forward to working with your kids!
Best regards,
Matt Keller
We are hiring! We have volunteer or paid coaching positions available! Please send us your resume & include all swim, teaching, and coaching experience you have had.
