VJO  COACHING  STAFF 

Vallejo Aquatics Club is very fortunate to have a coaching staff that value the same philosophies and mindsets. All of our coaches are committed to a standard of excellence and quality values that pertain to our lives in and out of our sport. The VJO Coaches want to run a program that provides a positive & safe enviorment for athletes to grow and progress. Each member of the VJO Coaching Staff believes in the development of the student - athlete; forming a relentless work ethic, building curiosity towards a growth mindset, and being passionate about acheiving goals. All of the Coaches hope to instill a love for the sport and are committed to creating the best program and experience possible for the kids.
"GO SHARKS!"
 

H E A D   C O A C H | Donny Mata
d[email protected]
 

Coach Donny got his start into swimming with Vallejo Aquatics Club at the age of 6. After 10 years with VJO and a brief stint with Walnut Creek Aquabears, Donny took a path that led him to gain experiences from the University of Hawaii, Diablo Valley JuCo, & the University of Pittsburgh. After his collegiate career, in 2011, Donny went right into coaching for his alma maters - Benicia High School & Diablo Valley College. Through out his time before VJO, Donny worked with all age groups and types of teams ranging from Summer Rec. Programs to High School as well as Junior College. 

Donny was the DVC's Sprint Coach from 2012 - 2017. There he worked with multiple All Americans, CCCAA State Record Holders, State Champions, Team Record Holders, and a Women's State Champion team in 2015. He has coached with various High School programs where he got to experience a California State Champion with Carondelet High School in 2015, as well as a D1 Boys SJS Sections Championship with Granite Bay in 2022. In Summer Rec. Swimming, Donny has worked with multiple Summer Rec. Programs in the Contra Costa County and Placer County areas, where he has coached multiple athletes to break their team and county records, as well as be prepared to excel at the USA swimming level. Donny has even tried starting his own USA Swim Club, White Water Aquatics. He is excited to take his experiences from both swimming and coaching to create a philosophy he believes will create an enviornment for VJO that will allow kids to grow and progress in and out of the pool.

Fun Fact : Donny also has an extensive Water Polo coaching background. He has coached Club Water Polo (Bay Area Sunset Aquatics, 680 Water Polo Club, California Republic Water Polo Club), High School JV & Varsity (Northgate High School, Benicia High School, & Granite Bay High School), as well as College (DVC's Women's Coach & CSU Cal Maritime Women's Coach). 

A S S I S T A N T   C O A C H | Sophie Waterson
[email protected]
 

Coach Sophie has played softball, water polo, & swimming through out her life. She played all three sports growing up while attending Vintage High School. After she graduated from Vintage, she took her focus from athletics to coaching where she immediately helped her old club water polo club team in Napa. Sophie's coaching career has taken her from coaching softball, swimming and water polo at Vintage High School to helping out with Benicia and St. Pats High School. Sophie had a brief stint with VJO but pursued other careers before coming back to the team in 2022! Sophie has taught swim lessons and lifeguarded at Cunningham Pool under GVRD. Says her passion and safe haven is being around Aquatics and the pool. 

Fun Fact : Coach Sophie loves baseball and hockey. She has been lucky enough to be at some very historic games, including a sharks game 7 playoff win. Her favorite sports memory though is being at Matt Cain's perfect game.

A S S I S T A N T   C O A C H | Alisa Maria
[email protected]
 

Fun Fact : Alisa has spent a lot of time working as a nurse.