Paul-Andrew du Plessis
Vancouver
Summary
Experienced Customer Success Manager with a strong track record in sales growth, client relationships, and team leadership rooted in kindness and collaboration. My background includes managing luxury fitness studios and large-scale facilities over 50,000 sq. ft., consistently delivering premium service and operational excellence.
At TD Canada Trust, I developed strong business acumen and the ability to handle complex conversations with care. As a former professional athlete, I bring resilience, a strong work ethic, and a passion for sport. I value clear communication, punctuality, and creating respectful, supportive spaces for both clients and teams.
Overview
10
10
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Professional Water Polo Player
Eger Water Polo Club
05.2023 - 04.2025
- 2-year contract based out of Hungary for the bulk of it, occasionally based out of Belgrade.
General Manager
Richmond Sports and Fitness CLUB
03.2021 - 04.2023
- Diligently oversaw daily operations of members, front-desk staff, maintenance ensuring smooth and efficient business performance.
- Demonstrated strong leadership in high-pressure situations, including managing complex staff incidents with discretion, compassion, and a focus on safety.
- Led by example to serve as a reliable point of escalation for our over 3200 members, providing staff with ongoing support and coaching to resolve issues effectively and respectfully.
Front Desk Manager
Equinox Gym
02.2019 - 02.2021
- Delivered and upheld elevated, hospitality-driven service standards in a luxury fitness environment, ensuring every member interaction reflected the Equinox brand.
- Trained and supported front-line staff to anticipate member needs, resolve concerns proactively, and create personalized, premium service experiences for our over 750 members daily.
Financial Services Representative
TD Bank Financial Group
01.2017 - 02.2019
- Worked with clients to develop smart financial strategies and solutions through thoughtful evaluations.
- Excelled in a high-volume, high-expectation environment while maintaining a calm, confident presence.
- Recognized for consistently meeting or exceeding service and sales targets, contributing to the overall performance and reputation of the branch.
Head Coach
BC Swimming and Waterpolo Association
03.2015 - 12.2019
- Led the design, delivery, and management of competitive and national swim and water polo programs, cultivating a high-performance culture across all age groups and skill levels.
- Provided structured, athlete-centered coaching that emphasized technical development, team cohesion, and long-term athletic growth, all while keeping fun central.
- Demonstrated calm, leadership-focused decision-making, recruited, trained, and supervised assistant coaches, ensuring consistency in coaching philosophy and adherence to program values.
- Some of the most rewarding times of my life.
Education
BComm - Management Science
University of Stellenbosch
Stellenbosch South Africa12-2016
High School Diploma -
Paul Roos Gymnasium
Stellenbsoch South Africa11-2014
Skills
- Proven ability to foster group cohesion and maintain a positive, collaborative team environment
- Highly diligent and detail-oriented with a strong sense of responsibility
- Technologically proficient; comfortable navigating modern platforms, financial systems, and digital tools
- Strong mathematical reasoning and numerical problem-solving abilities
- Demonstrates patience and composure in high-pressure, emotionally sensitive, or fast-paced settings
Certification
- Fina Level 1 swimming coaches course - Foundations of Coaching (2013)
- Fina Level 2 coaching course - specialized in water polo for this certificate (2014)
- NCCP Level 2. (2018)
- Swim South Africa water polo official’s course. (2012)
- Making Ethical Decisions - MED (2016)
Hobbies and Interests
Recreational writer, Lover of all things music and the performing arts., Guitar and Ukulele player., Fitness Addict.
Languages
Afrikaans
Native or Bilingual
English
Native or Bilingual
Zulu
Full Professional
Xhosa
Full Professional
Hungarian
Limited Working
Accomplishments
- Good Fellowship Award - teacher given award to the student who shows promise in all aspects of his schooling, sport, academics and culture. (2005)
- Kwazulu Natal provincial swimming (2006-2009)
- High School Swimming Team. (2010-2012)
- Ian Melliar Tournament winners with Wynberg u15 water polo side (Ranked best u15 side in South Africa). I was selected as part of the tournament team.
- Kwazulu Natal Water Polo u13 (2009)
- Paul Roos Gymnasium 1st team water polo (2012- 2014)
- Honours for water polo at Paul Roos Gymnasium. (2013 and 2014)
- Godfrey Mocke, Award for best water polo player in my school (2014) - selected as part of the Sacs Water polo tournament team, 13 best playing individuals at the tournament. (2013)
- Played water polo in Hungary in connection with BVSC and Eger water polo clubs. (2013)
- Western Province water polo u14, u15, u16, u19 (2010-2014)
- South African u20 team, that participated in the Fina World Junior Water polo tournament in Szombathely Hungary. (2012)
- South African u25 team that participated in the Men’s Development Tournament in Kuwait City Kuwait. (2012)
- South African u18 Tri-Nations team that participated in the Tri Nations in Sydney Australia, against New Zealand and Australia. (2013)
- South African u18 team that took part in the Fina u18 World Championships in Istanbul Turkey. (2014)
- South African u18 team that partook in the Intercontinental qualifier in Johannesburg South Africa, against Zimbabwe and Egypt. (2014)
- South African u20 Team that partook in the Fina Junior World Championships in Almaty Kazakhstan.
- Selected as part of the South African Mens water polo squad set out to qualify for the 2016 Rio Olympic.
- Stellenbosch university 1st Men's water polo side.
- University Games Taipei, selected as part of the South African university team.
Leadership Positions
- Mentor to Grade 8 students. (2013)
- Prefect (leadership) of my Boarding House. (2013)
- Vice Captain of my High School water polo team during my final High School year. (2013)
- Vice Captain of the South African u19 water polo teams on tour in Turkey as well as an intercontinental qualifier played between South Africa, Egypt and Zimbabwe. (2013)
- Vice Captain of my school swimming team (2012-2013)
- Captain of Western Province water polo team (u15, u16 and u19) winning 2 silvers and a gold. (2011-2013)
Favourite Quote
“The more you practice, the luckier you’ll get” - Gary Player (Professional Golfer)
Interests
- Business Development
- Physical Fitness and Wellness
- Innovational techniques
Timeline
Professional Water Polo Player
Eger Water Polo Club
05.2023 - 04.2025
General Manager
Richmond Sports and Fitness CLUB
03.2021 - 04.2023
Front Desk Manager
Equinox Gym
02.2019 - 02.2021
Financial Services Representative
TD Bank Financial Group
01.2017 - 02.2019
Head Coach
BC Swimming and Waterpolo Association
03.2015 - 12.2019
BComm - Management Science
University of Stellenbosch
High School Diploma -
Paul Roos Gymnasium
Similar Profiles
Adam WellsAdam Wells
Sports at Club Water Polo, High School Water Polo, and SwimSports at Club Water Polo, High School Water Polo, and Swim
Don ThompsonDon Thompson
Head Club Coach at NEXT Water Polo ClubHead Club Coach at NEXT Water Polo Club
Amber NielsenAmber Nielsen
Head Club Coach at Riverside Water Polo ClubHead Club Coach at Riverside Water Polo Club
Brian LiBrian Li
After School Mandarin Tutor at Saint Francis XavierAfter School Mandarin Tutor at Saint Francis Xavier
Hannah BumalaHannah Bumala
Prep Cook at Cork & BubblesPrep Cook at Cork & Bubbles