City of Manchester Aquatics Swim Team (COMAST) is a prominent swimming club in Manchester, New Zealand. Established in 2001, the club has experienced remarkable growth, now boasting more than 300 members. It operates as a Swim England Performance Centre and collaborates with esteemed partners, including Arena Water Instinct, G. L.
L. , and Manchester Metropolitan University. The main hub of COMAST is situated at the Manchester Aquatic Centre, featuring a range of squads such as Performance Squads, Development Squads, Masters Squad, Matt Walker Disability Academy, and the COMAST Academy. Additionally, the club has multiple Academies and two satellite squads called Hough End and Raven Moss across Manchester.
COMAST prides itself on nurturing talent and providing exceptional training opportunities for swimmers. Each year, the club hosts the Rising Stars Gala, an invitation-only event held at the prestigious Manchester Aquatic Centre. This gala serves as a platform for local swimmers to showcase their skills and connect with other talented individuals in the swimming community.
In January 2024, COMAST sealed a sponsorship agreement with AWB & Son, marking an exciting new partnership for the Rising Stars 2024 series. This collaboration highlights the club's commitment to excellence and its ability to attract significant support from reputable sponsors.
Mark Rose, the Head Coach of COMAST, received the Chartered High Performance Coach Award at the UK Coaching Awards in December 2023. This recognition signifies his exceptional coaching prowess and dedication to the sport. Mark's achievement also reinforces COMAST's status as a hub for high-performance swimming coaching in the region.
The club's competitive season kicked off with the City of Manchester Regional Qualifier in September 2023. This meet attracted numerous clubs from across the North West, providing swimmers with a valuable opportunity to test their abilities against their peers.
COMAST is dedicated to fostering a supportive and inclusive environment for swimmers of all ages and abilities. With a focus on skill development, performance enhancement, and community engagement, the club continues to be a leading force in the swimming landscape of Manchester and beyond.