WAIS is excited to welcome Ian Hulme as new Head Coach of the WAIS Swimming program, bringing with him a wealth of international experience, a passion for athlete development, and a vision to elevate Western Australia’s swimming to new heights.
Originally from the UK, Ian spent over a decade at Loughborough University – one of Europe’s premier high-performance swim programs, where he worked for 12 years and served as Head Coach for seven. Under his leadership the program produced more than 100 international medals in the last cycle alone. His coaching resume includes personal involvement in over 50 international podium finishes across World, European and Commonwealth competitions, as well as a coaching role at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games.
“We’re thrilled to have Ian join WAIS,” says Danielle Stefano, Sport Program Manager.
“He brings a wealth of international experience and a deeply athlete-centred approach that aligns perfectly with our values. His passion for performance, culture and collaboration will be an asset to our team and the broader swimming community in WA.”
As a former international swimmer himself, Ian’s always had a real connection to the sport. “I know what it feels like to chase performance, to handle setbacks, and to keep striving for more,” he says.
But for Ian, success is about more than medals.
“What I’m most proud of is the journey behind the results,” he says. “Watching athletes grow in confidence and self-belief, learn to handle pressure, and inspire the next generation to believe they can do the same.”
Now based in Perth with his young family, Ian sees enormous potential in the WAIS program and the broader Western Australian swimming community.
“This state feels like a sleeping giant,” he says. “There’s so much talent here, and I’m excited about building stronger pathways from grassroots to the international stage. WAIS has all the ingredients – athlete-centred coaching, a values-driven culture, and a collaborative, multidisciplinary environment, it’s a privilege to be part of that.”
Ian acknowledges the strong foundations already in place at WAIS.
The program has “a strong culture and legacy. It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity leading a group of athletes towards a home Olympics and I feel extremely honoured to be in this position.”
In the short term, Ian is focused on listening and learning, connecting with athletes, staff and the broader network to build trust and stability. Long term, his ambition is clear – to lead a world-class, sustainable program that consistently delivers international results, while nurturing a culture of integrity, collaboration and personal growth.
“Success to me, is about more than performance. It’s about creating an environment where people feel valued and inspired to give their best. When athletes leave the program better prepared for life, as leaders, teammates and humans, that to me is real success, and I believe that when the culture is right, the performances tend to take care of themselves.”
Outside the pool, Ian is a family man with a not so well-known sweet tooth and a competitive streak that extends to family games of Uno and Mario Kart, “I rarely let the kids win, at least not on purpose.”
As WAIS looks ahead to a home Olympic and Paralympic Games in Brisbane 2032, Ian’s arrival marks an exciting new chapter in the Swimming program.
