Matt Pedersen

Head Coach
Senior and Junior

Email: matt@swatswim.ca

Matt is the Head Coach of the Sackville Waves Aquatic Team. Hailing from Waterloo, Ontario he enjoyed a humble swimming career with the Region of Waterloo (ROW) swim club and Wilfrid Laurier University (WLU) Golden Hawks Varsity Swim Team. While at WLU he began his coaching career with ROW at the grassroots level. This began a 15 plus year coaching career working with Fundamentals, Age Group, and University swimmers with ROW and WLU. After completing his undergrad he taught ESL in Republic of Korea then returned to Southwestern Ontario to complete his B.Ed from Western University in London, Ontario. He will be Completing the NCCP Level 3 Coaching Certification this year.

Matt had the opportunity to take Kitchener-Waterloo based swimmers to the International Children’s Games in 2009 (San Fransisco, USA) and 2015 (Alkmaar, Ned), as well as the staff for the COVID cancelled 2020 team to Kaunas, Lithuania.

Matt believes that coaches give the athletes the tools to be better than yesterday. Everyone’s success is in their own hands and there is pride and responsibility in improvement and performance, for each individual and their teammates. The athletes are the artists of their own success. He is looking forward to mentoring a young coaching staff and building the passion for coaching and swimming within the staff and club. Matt is looking forward to what everyone is looking to build and achieve in this new SWAT swimming season!

Mike Balmaceda

Senior and Junior - Assistant

Michael Balmaceda has been a dedicated Swim Coach with the Special Olympics Nova Scotia Sackville Bedford Region since 2016. His commitment to athlete development and inclusive sport has made a lasting impact across the province.  In recognition of his outstanding contributions, Michael was named the Special Olympics Nova Scotia Sackville Bedford Coach of the Year in 2024.

In the 2022–2023 season, Michael took on a leadership role as part of the St. Margaret’s Bay Breakers Executive, where he was responsible for Developing Coaches and overseeing the team’s Coaching Program. His efforts helped foster a supportive, growth-focused environment for both athletes and fellow coaches.

In 2025, Michael served as the Coach for the Special Olympic and Paralympic Program Swimmers representing Team Nova Scotia at the Canada Games in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador. His coaching expertise and positive leadership helped guide athletes through one of the country’s most prestigious multi-sport events.

Shortly after the Games, Michael was appointed Head Coach of Swimming for Special Olympics Team Nova Scotia for the upcoming 2026 National Special Olympics Games in Medicine Hat, Alberta.

Michael’s coaching philosophy can be summed up by one of the guiding pillars of his style:

“Fun is Fast.”

This belief captures his commitment to making sport both enjoyable and empowering for every athlete he supports.

Elyse Daniels - Novice

Email: matt@swatswim.ca

Hi everyone! My name is Elyse, and I’m so excited to be your Novice Coach and Waves Coordinator this season. I’ve been coaching since 2023 and have absolutely loved working with swimmers of all ages and levels. I’ve also been a competitive swimmer for the past five years, with my favourite events being any sprint butterfly or freestyle event.

I’m currently working as a lifeguard, am a certified swim instructor and I’m NCCP Community Coach-Trained. I'm also in the process of completing my Fundamentals Coach certification.

Right now, I am taking courses at Arizona State University and working toward my longterm goal of becoming a physiotherapist. One day, I hope to open my own clinic where I can combine my love of sports with helping others stay active and healthy.

When I’m not in the pool, I enjoy cycling, playing piano, spending time outdoors, and expressing myself through art. I’m really looking forward to the season and can’t wait to see everyone’s progress in the water!

Eugene Legge - Novice

Email: matt@swatswim.ca

Hi! My names Eugene and this my second year coaching with Sackville. I am currently a National level swimmer with Sackville Waves. I have been swimming competitively for 8 years, and on Team Nova Scotia. My favorite swims are the sprint freestyle and backstroke events. I am very excited to be coaching Tidal Waves!

Gavin Holman - Tidalwaves

Email: matt@swatswim.ca

Hi, I'm Gavin and I've always had a love for swimming. I started at 6 months old, learning basic skills through the Red Cross program until I joined SWAT's newly formed mini waves in 2019 at age 10. I'm now a AAA competitor and would love to be a part of someone else's competitive swimming journey.

When I'm not on deck for swim practice, I'm there working as a Lifeguard. I'm also recently certified as a Swim For Life Instructor. 

I'm currently a grade 10 student at Millwood High. I enjoy biking, video games and working out in my spare time.

Jesstine Suewirotjanakun Mini Waves Coach

Email: matt@swatswim.ca

My name is Jesstine. I have been swimming competitively for six years and have been a member of the SWAT team since the age of ten. In 2019, I was part of the newly formed Mini Waves group and have many fond memories from that experience. I specialize in all three breaststroke distances and have competed as an AAA swimmer since the age of 12. I have qualified for both Provincial and East Coast Championships and have proudly represented Team Nova Scotia on the Maine Provincial Tour since the age of 13.

As a trained NCCP Community Coach, I have completed CAC Safe Sport and Make Ethical Decisions (MED), along with the Introduction to Open Water Swimming module. I am currently continuing my development through Fundamental Coach training.

In aquatic leadership, I am certified as a National Lifeguard and Swim Instructor, and I hold certification in Intermediate First Aid & CPR-C, bringing both passion and safety to the pool.

I am currently in Grade 11 at Sackville High. Outside of swimming, I am also a musician, playing piano with the Nova Scotia Youth Orchestra (NSYO) and violin with Orchestra Maggiore through Halifax Regional Arts.

I’m excited to be coaching the Mini Waves for a second season and look forward to helping our swimmers grow and succeed together as a team! I believe in dedication, discipline, and consistency and with these values, we’ll make a splash and ride the wave of success!

Maggie Donnelly - Mini Waves Coach

Email: matt@swatswim.ca

My name is Maggie Donnelly. I’m currently in grade 11 at Lockview High and am pursuing sciences and maths. This is my seventh year swimming with SWAT and second year coaching. I am very excited for the upcoming season, especially the swim meets and seeing the progress that’s being made!

Joel Phillips - Mini Waves Coach

Email: matt@swatswim.ca

Hey! My name is Joel, and this year, I will be back helping the Mini Wave swimmers. Before coaching, I swam for 6 years on SWAT and making it to our senior program and East Coast level meets. I look forward to working hard and seeing everyone grow to the best of their abilities this year!