Meet AGUA For Special Olympics New York Head Coach, Meghan Bentley
Sometimes, life presents you with an opportunity that you just can’t pass up. One that stops you in your tracks and makes you think to yourself “this is what I’ve been waiting for!”
ForAsphalt Green Unified Aquatics (AGUA) swim coach Meghan Bentley, that magic moment came just two months ago, when our AGUA and Inclusive Programs teams joined forces to launch AGUA for Special Olympics New York, Asphalt Green’s first-ever inclusive competitive athletic program for swimmers with developmental disabilities.
For years, Meghan has brought her passion for swimming across all levels of AGUA’s developmental pathway, instructing our free learn-to-swim programs, private lessons, and AGUA’s elite competitive teams, exemplifying its commitment to swimming for all. After Asphalt Green’s Inclusive Programs launched in 2024, Meghan was eager to get involved and began volunteering in our Everyone Plays: Soccer class.When Meghan was approached to lead the program as Head Coach, the decision couldn’t have been easier.
“What makes AGUA for Special Olympics New York so special is that it gives athletes with developmental disabilities the opportunity to experience everything that comes with being part of a competitive team: the excitement of competing, connecting with teammates and supporting one another, building confidence and resilience, and developing life skills such as staying calm under pressure and taking pride in their dedication to their goals, regardless of the outcome. That kind of opportunity can be incredibly powerful, especially for athletes who may not always have access to it elsewhere.”
Less than eight weeks into her role, Meghan has already made a huge impact. AGUA For Special Olympics NY now has 16 swimmers with many other expressing interest in joining. The team produced an excellent showing during their first two swim meets, and four of our athletes were selected to compete at the NY State Summer Games in Utica NY.
Before the season heats up, we sat down with Coach Meghan to learn more about her coaching journey and ambitions for the program.
What excites you most about AGUA for Special Olympics NY?
What excites me most is the program’s potential to become a place where swimmers feel challenged, supported, and proud of their achievements. It gives athletes the chance to set goals, take risks, celebrate progress, and see themselves as part of something bigger. That kind of experience can build confidence, independence, and meaningful connections.
How has swimming impacted your life?
I began competitive swimming at a young age, and it has been one of the most constant and meaningful parts of my life. Swimming has been a lifelong tool for me, both literally and figuratively. It gave me a skill that supports my health, provides a reliable outlet for stress relief, and eventually became part of my career. It also gave me structure, consistency, discipline, and an understanding of how much progress can be made simply by continuing to show up.
Over time, my journey in swimming evolved into coaching, which added another layer of meaning. Coaching has allowed me to witness the joy, growth, and pride that swimming can bring out in others. I have seen swimmers build confidence, find community, and discover strengths they may not have realized they had. That has made the sport even more meaningful to me.
You’ve coached swimming for a long time, in Asphalt Green’s Waterproofing program and for AGUA. As someone who’s coached across almost all levels of our swim program, what do you think makes AGUA so special?
What makes AGUA so special is its combination of high standards and a genuine investment in the whole athlete. There is a real commitment to development, accountability, discipline, and teamwork, while also helping swimmers build confidence, independence, and character.
I have seen those same values reflected in Wave Makers, which expands access to free swim instruction for New York City children and helps them develop the water safety skills and confidence to enjoy the water safely and stay active throughout their lives.
Having coached across different parts of the program, I know how both Wave Makers and AGUA create meaningful pathways for swimmers to grow. Across all levels, the common thread is access, opportunity, rewards of perseverance, and the ability to recognize one’s full potential. That balance of excellence, care, and long-term impact makes the work so meaningful.
How would you describe your approach to coaching, and how do you plan to change your approach, if at all, for AGUA for Special Olympics ny?
For AGUA for SONY, my core coaching philosophy remains the same, but its application needs an added layer of flexibility. We need to be especially thoughtful about meeting each swimmer where they are while upholding meaningful expectations. Different athletes respond to different kinds of support, so we must adapt our communication and coaching styles. My goal is to create a space where athletes feel seen, respected, and encouraged, and know that their effort and growth truly matter.
My coaching style is rooted in trust, clarity, and consistency. I believe swimmers do best when expectations are clear, they feel supported, and they know their coach genuinely believes in their potential. To me, good coaching balances support with accountability and helps athletes build confidence through structure, consistency, and positive reinforcement. I strive to create an environment where athletes feel both safe and challenged, learn to celebrate wins big and small, and remember to have fun and enjoy the process along the way.
What do you hope swimmers in AGUA for Special olympics ny take away from their experience?
I hope swimmers take away confidence, pride, and a true sense of belonging. I want them to feel proud of their effort, their progress, and their role on the team. I also hope they build qualities that extend far beyond swimming, including resilience, independence, accountability, discipline, and the ability to work toward meaningful goals alongside others. Most of all, I hope they leave feeling stronger, not only as swimmers, but in how they see themselves.
Asphalt Green has a long history of advocating for inclusion in sports. Can you share why you believe inclusion is so important in swimming, not just in swim instruction but for competitive swim too?
Inclusion in swimming is important because access should not stop at basic instruction. Swim lessons build essential safety skills, but competitive swimming offers a different kind of growth. It gives athletes the chance to set goals, push through difficult moments, learn from setbacks, contribute to a team, and take pride in their progress.
For me, inclusion means ensuring all athletes have access to the full experience of the sport, not just the chance to participate, but the opportunity to be active, valued members of a competitive team.
