Coaches


Yit Aun Lim Ph.D. – Head Coach (1993 – Present)
Lim has coached the Marlins at all levels from age groupers to senior/elite swimmers and masters. At the age group and elite levels, he has produced numerous nationally Top-16 ranked individual swimmers and relay teams; several Junior National and US Open swimmers; Zone and Regional champions, and many State Champions and Georgia Record Holders. His elite swimmers include 2004 and 2008 Olympic Trial qualifiers (2004: Jason Gagnon 15th place finisher, and 2008: Dillon Connolly 3OT and Sarah Losinger 1OT). Lim currently coaches the High Performance and National Groups for the Marlins.

Coach Lim has achieved similar successes at the Masters level. He coached Doug Malcolm to his World Record swim in the 100m Breaststroke for the 40-44 age group, and he has produced many USMS Top 10 swimmers of different age groups for the Marlins Masters.

A Malaysian native, Lim was named the Malaysian Swimmer of the Year in 1977 and remained a member of the Malaysia National Team until 1988. Coach Lim attended University of Louisiana at Monroe and received a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and a Master of Education in Physical Education. He also swam collegiately for the ULM Indians.

He then received his doctorate degree from the University of Southern Mississippi in 1991. An Exercise Physiologist by profession, Dr. Lim has taught at Oxford College of Emory University and he currently teaches part-time in the graduate department of Sports & Health Science at Life University.

· Georgia Senior Coach of the Year, 2006
· Doctorate Degree in Exercise Physiology with emphasis in Relaxation and
   Performance – University of Southern Mississippi, 1991
· Masters Degree in Physical Education with emphasis in  Exercise Science – University
   of Louisiana at Monroe, 1986
· Bachelor of Science in Mathematics – University of Louisiana at Monroe, 1984
· Diploma in Shipbuilding and Repair – Ngee Ann  Polytechnic Singapore, 1981
· Member of Malaysian National Swimming and Water  Polo teams, 1975-1988
· Malaysian Swimmer of the Year, 1977



Anthony Byrne – Coach (1984 – Present)

Born Mt. Isa, Australia and resides in Oriental NC. Married to Katey 1983
Graduated BSc. – SIU-C 1983 Business Management.

Anthony was the recipient of a 4 year Full NCAA Scholarship at SIU-C. . He placed 3rd at Olympic trials in 1976 and won 3 National titles at the Australian Winter Nationals in 1976. In addition that year he won 3 Australian National Surf and Rescue Titles. From 1975 thru 1981 he traveled on numerous National and International Teams achieving a World ranking of 6th in 1976-1977 for the 800 and 1500 freestyle.

Anthony has been a certified swim coach since 1984.  Locally he spent 3 years as Head coach of the Somerset Sharks and 5 years as a consultant and Volunteer Coach for the Marietta Marlins.

In 2008 a move to Oriental, North Carolina, provided an unexpected, great opportunity to become the Head Coach for New Bern YMCA.

From 1985 he ascended the ranks in the financial industry and was fortunate enough to become a Principle in the Brokerage industry by the age of 28. In 1989 he turned his interest to his college curriculum and worked for an aviation knowledge based company, out of California.  In 1991 secured funding and invested in an aviation software company in Atlanta. Over the next 10 years this company grew exponentially.  Monthly travel to Europe, Asia, Australia and Africa was regular.  Sold company in 2004. Worked for ABC Radio and Disney Channel along with MBI until 2008.

“The past 10 years have been the most rewarding for me. Allowing me to give back.  Kids today are being torn in so many directions with so many distractions.  It is amazing to me, that, we as adults can have such a huge positive impact on kids looking for answers and direction.  It really is a fantastic feeling to see a kid achieve something that was totally and conceptually out of reach, less than a year prior. Whether it is in or out of the pool.  It’s magic!”



. Head Coach New Bern YMCA

· Coach Marietta Marlins
· Head Coach – Somerset Sharks

. Head Coach Mt. Isa All Stars
· Coach of the Year – FNQ 1985

. USCA Certified coach

. ASCA Certified coach

. YMCA Principles Certified and current

. QASA Certified Level 1 Teacher
· 4 year NCAA Full Scholarship Swimming – Southern Illinois University, 1980-1983
· 3 Time Australian National Champion in 1500, 800, 400 Freestyle, Winter 1976
· 3 Time National Surf Lifesaving Champion, 1976-1977
· 2 Time Sportsman of the Year Award
· Numerous State National and International Teams 1975-1981