Champion’s Coaching, Inc. is proud to highlight history maker Coach Zion Hall. At just 20 years old, Coach Zion, or Coach Z as she’s fondly known, made history as the first black female under the age of 20 to start, lead, and maintain her very own USA Swim Team, The Firebirds. Her journey is as unique as it is inspiring, symbolizing perseverance, resilience, and a passion for swimming.
How it Began
Although, she was born in Raleigh, North Carolina, Zion’s interest in swimming emerged from a particular childhood experience while living a short stint in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. At around six years old, Zion attended a birthday party with a swimming pool. Watching her friends splash and play while she sat on the sidelines, unable to join them, fueled her desire to learn how to swim.
Zion credits her childhood friends as the catalyst for her swimming journey. “I remember when I was little, I was invited to a pool party. All of my friends could go to the deep end, but I had to stay alone in the shallow end with my floaties. I decided right then that I wanted to learn to swim!” she recalls. Despite initial resistance from her mother, who famously quipped, “Girl, no. Black people don’t swim!” Zion’s persistence eventually proved her parents wrong. After moving back to North Carolina, she took swimming lessons, joined a swim team, and started winning awards, even making it to championships. At the same time, little did they know, this decision would set Zion on a path that would not only change her life but also influence the lives of those around her.
The Events that Changed Everything
After five years on her initial team, Zion made her first historic move. Her coach left the team and started his own, becoming the first black male in the area to do so. Under his guidance, Zion developed as a swimmer and learned the art of coaching. She shadowed him to various meets, absorbing his techniques and strategies. When she came of age, he gave her the opportunity to become a junior coach on his team, setting her on an unexpected path. The more she learned, the more responsibility she took on, gaining the respect of her teammates and even coaching them at meets in her coach’s absence. “It was a fun experience! I liked being able to hand out the sets to my teammates and watch them execute them,” she says.
In August of 2023, Zion faced another turning point when her coach abruptly disbanded the team. Determined to keep the kids swimming, she navigated the ins and outs with the help of USA Swimming staff and formed her own “unattached team” at the age of 18. Leading a group of six swimmers, she coached and took them to meets, demonstrating remarkable resilience and leadership.
A New Swim Team Arose from the Ashes
In September of 2024, after much hard work, taking classes, and meeting with USA Swimming staff, Zion was granted the opportunity to become an official USA Swim Team. Thus, “The Firebirds” were born! Since then, in less than a year’s time, she has grown her team to over 20 athletes of varying skill levels – from beginners to her lone senior making it to USA Swimming’s Futures Championship.
Champion’s Coaching is proud to highlight Zion Hall’s remarkable story. Her journey from a curious child at a birthday party to a trailblazing coach is a testament to her relentless spirit and the power of perseverance. Zion continues to inspire young swimmers, proving that with passion and dedication, barriers can be broken, and new heights can be achieved. She is truly – Black History in the Pool.
Do you think that your child would be interested in swimming with Coach Z? If so, contact her today!
You can help support Coach Zion Hall’s mission to inspire and empower young swimmers by donating to Champion’s Coaching today!