Mohamed Ashour, known affectionately as Mo to his colleagues and students, brings over two decades of coaching and physical education expertise to The Y, profoundly impacting swimmers of all ages and abilities. Originally from Egypt, Mo relocated permanently to New Zealand in November 2023 with his family, quickly becoming a cherished member of the community.

Mo's impressive career includes 19 years teaching as well as coaching successful basketball and swimming teams to national and international acclaim. His athletes secured numerous medals and championships, but Mo emphasizes the greater victories in resilience, teamwork, and personal pride his coaching fostered.

"These experiences have deeply shaped my coaching approach, enabling me to balance high-performance standards with fun and inclusivity," Mo explains. "Every session is about nurturing confidence and growth, no matter the swimmer’s age or ability."

Mo highlights his role in co-leading school water safety sessions as particularly rewarding. Witnessing substantial growth in children’s confidence and safety skills has been a highlight of his tenure. Reflecting on a recent successful term, Mo shared, "It was really noticeable how much the kids improved in their confidence in the water, and how much they learned about keeping themselves and others safe. The last day was incredibly special - fun-filled and memorable."

One especially poignant memory for Mo is supporting Artur, a dedicated swimmer who is now pursuing Paralympic dreams. Artur's impressive progression and medal achievements exemplify the transformative power of inclusive coaching.

The positive atmosphere and mission-driven culture at The Y have deeply resonated with Mo, who initially planned a temporary stay but quickly found himself fully integrated into the community. "The Y has felt like a second home," Mo reflects warmly. "Every day here is an opportunity to make a meaningful difference alongside incredible colleagues and inspiring students."

Beyond coaching skills and medals, Mo cherishes the everyday milestones including preschool children building water confidence, adults overcoming lifelong fears, and the joyous pride of parents witnessing their children's growth. "These aren’t merely swimming lessons," Mo concludes. "They’re transformative life moments, and I'm incredibly grateful to help make them happen”. That’s The Y difference.