Bluefish Coaching Staff
A critical element that enables our swimmers to succeed is our staff. The Bluefish have assembled a staff of educated and enthusiastic individuals. It is their commitment and passion for teaching children and their love of swimming that is essential in creating an environment were swimmers thrive and progress quickly.

Chuck Batchelor -
Head Coach

Chuck joined the Bluefish in September 2005. He was named the 2006 Head Coach of the USA Men's National Select Camp in Colorado Springs at the Olympic Training Center. In his coaching career Batchelor has trained 1 Olympian, 50 National Qualifiers, 31 Olympic Trial Qualifiers, and had 9 swimmers rank in the top 100 in the world. He is committed to helping all of his swimmers get into the best colleges possible, guiding them through the process of selecting an institution and, if possible, receiving academic or athletic scholarships. Over seventy percent of Chuck’s student athletes have gone on to attend Ivy League institutions.

Christie Batchelor -
Head Raynham Coach

Christie Batchelor was a competitive swimmer for thirteen years. She is a graduate of Kenyon College where she was a part of NCAA Championship Teams. She has been coaching and instructing swim lessons for 12 years. Under her direction the Bluefish Swim School program has grown from 0 to 500 swimmers in less than two years.

Tami Johnson –
Head Age Group Coach

Tami joins us from the Schroeder YMCA in Wisconsin . She was a member of the team that captured the Women’s National YMCA Title in 1999. Tami graduated from Iowa State University with a degree in Marketing. Coaching was such a passion for Tami that after graduation, she began working with the Age Group, Senior, and Masters at Schroeder.

Mike Ross -
Shrewsbury Coach

Mike was a NCAA Division All-American Swimmer for Princeton University (1986-1990). During that time, he led two NCAA winning relays (1989 and 1990). He was an American record holder in the 200 Medley Relay, a three-time qualifier for the US Olympic Trials (1988, 1992, 1996), and a member of the first United States Resident National Team for Swimming 1994-1996. Mike currently holds 5 Masters World Records in swimming and 9 United States Masters Records. Although Mike was soundly beaten in his youth by head coach Chuck Batchelor when they competed together on Capital Region Aquatic Club, he thinks he could put up a good race against the Bluefish head coach now.

-NCAA Division All-American Swimmer for Princeton University (1986-1990)
-Led two NCAA winning relays in 1989 and 1990
-Former American record holder in the 200 Medley Relay
-Three-time qualifier for the US Olympic Trials (1988, 1992, 1996).
-Member of the first United States Resident National Team for Swimming 1994-1996
-Current World Record holder in 5 Masters swimming events
-Current United States Masters Record holder in 9 swimming events
-Assistant swimming coach of the Worcester Wahoos and the Bluefish Shrewsbury Group

Matthew Christian -

Cheif Operating Officer

Assistant Senior Coach

Matt graduated Spring 2009 from the MBA degree program at Northeastern University. Matt returns to work with the Bluefish with a new official title as our Chief Operating Officer or COO. Matt’s additional responsibilities outside of the office will include the Senior Assistant Coach position at Attleboro . Matt previously worked as the Bluefish Senior assistant coach from 2006-2007. Matt has an undergraduate degree from Brandeis University where he had the privilege to swim under Chuck’s tutelage as the Brandeis Assistant Coach.

Louis Arruda -
Assistant Senior Group Coach

Louis has been swimming competitively since his youth, and he does not see an end in sight. The 2005 graduate of Springfield College achieved Division III All-American status in the 200 yard Freestyle in 2004 and 2005. He was awarded the Most Outstanding Male Athlete at Springfield during his Freshman and Senior years. He began coaching on a regular basis in 2005 with the Cranston YMCA in Rhode Island. Louis has also been involved in coaching high school athletes in Warwick, RI since graduating from Bishop Hendricken High School in 2001. He is excited to be able to work with with the Bluefish family to expand his coaching experience.

Tina Spiniello -
Mini Training Group Coach

& Assistant Age Group Coach

Tina Spiniello begins her first year with Bluefish as the coach of the Minis in Cumberland. Her duties also include assisting with the Junior 1 and 2 groups. Before joining Bluefish, Tina coached for five years with Bay and Ocean State Squids. In addition to her experience with Squid, she has worked with beginning swimmers as a coach for the Westwood Recreation Swim Team. She has also coached at the high school level. Tina swam collegiately for Wheaton College in Norton, Massachusetts, serving as captain her senior year. Tina earned a Master’s degree from Columbia University in special education and is currently teaching second grade in the Walpole Public School System.

Shawn Masefield joins the Bluefish after taking several years off from coaching to start a family. Shawn is an experienced stroke tactician with ten years of experience. Most recently, Shawn was Assistant Head Coach of the South Shore YMCA Strypers for several years, where he concentrated on Junior and Age Group swimmers. He assisted in building the team to more than 170 participants and worked with many successful swimmers. Prior to that Shawn was coach of the Old Colony YMCA, where he helped lead the team to several overall team point District Championships.
Shawn swam for the Old Colony YMCA and Coastal Swim Club as a child, specializing in sprint freestyle events. He works full time as a Marketing Manager for American Express and resides in Bridgewater with his wife and three children.

Megan Abella-Bowen -
Part-Time Assistant Age Group Coach

Darlene Dusseault -
Swim School Program Manager

Darlene was the owner of a local learn to swim program the Kids Club from 1994- 2003, operating in 4 locations prior to joining Bluefish Swim Club. She initiated Children's Fitness programs in 1990 for Healthtrax International, a local chain of health clubs. Darlene attended Bridgewater State College as a Business major. Darlene brings 20 years experience working with children and over 15 years instructing swimming. Her area of expertise lies in introducing children who are afraid to the water.