Sulinke van den Berg serves as the Head Swim & Dive Coach at the University of Jamestown.
Originally from South Africa, Sulinke brings a strong background in competitive swimming, leadership, education, and athlete development to the Jimmie Swim & Dive program.
Sulinke is a proud University of Jamestown alumna, earning her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education in May 2025. During her time as a student-athlete, she competed on the Jimmie Swim & Dive team and served as team captain for four years. Her collegiate experience shaped her belief that a successful team is built on more than performance in the pool. It is built through trust, accountability, relationships, and a strong sense of belonging.
Before becoming head coach, Sulinke served as a Graduate Assistant Coach with the Jimmie Swim & Dive program, where she was involved in training, meet preparation, athlete development, recruiting, team organization, and day-to-day support of student-athletes. She has also gained leadership experience through her work in residence life at the University of Jamestown, where she focuses on community development, student support, and creating an environment where students can grow.
As a coach, Sulinke believes in a relationship-first approach. She wants to know her athletes not only as swimmers and divers, but as people. Her coaching philosophy centers around respect, communication, trust, effort, empathy, and accountability. She believes athletes perform at their best when they know their coach believes in them, challenges them, and supports them through both successes and difficult moments.
Her goal for the Jimmie Swim & Dive program is to create a culture where athletes can develop as competitors, students, leaders, and people. She is passionate about helping athletes set meaningful goals, recognize their potential, and understand that growth does not happen overnight. She wants the program to be a place where athletes build lifelong friendships, create lasting memories, and leave the University of Jamestown better prepared for life beyond the pool.
Sulinke is currently pursuing her Master of Business Leadership at the University of Jamestown, with an expected graduation date of May 2027. She is passionate about leadership, coaching, education, and building meaningful relationships with the athletes and communities she serves.
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