Dawn Venturas - Head Coach Saudi Arabian Paralympic Swimming Team

Dawn Venturas, born in London to Scottish and Greek parents, grew up in Zimbabwe with her twin siblings. A natural athlete, she excelled in multiple sports, particularly field hockey, representing Zimbabwe at U18 and U21 levels. Inspired by Zimbabwe's 1980 Olympic gold-winning hockey team, Dawn pursued a distinguished athletic and coaching career. After studying in the UK and competing in hockey at the European level, she transitioned to professional coaching, specializing in talent development and special needs. Moving to Dubai in 2008, she founded Coach Sport, the largest female-led sports coaching company in the Middle East, and played an active role in the region's sports scene. In 2023, Dawn joined Aramco Sports Development, leading initiatives like integrating female swimmers into Al Qadsiah Football Club’s programs. Appointed Head Coach of the Saudi Paralympic Swimming Team in 2024, she guided them to unprecedented success, including historic World Series medals and qualification for the Paris 2024 Paralympics. Dawn’s trailblazing career underscores her dedication to breaking barriers and fostering diversity in sports.