Swimming Coaches
Head Coach – Tom
I’ve been Head Coach since 2016 and am qualified as a Senior Coach (Level 3). I have swum with Stretford since I was 10 as well at at university in Lancaster, and later with our local competitive masters team down the road. My favourite stroke to swim is Breaststroke, though I enjoy coaching Backstroke more! What I love about coaching is seeing a young swimmer’s love for the sport grow as mine did. A bit further down the line, seeing swimmers’ training pay off, really makes me proud. Sport can teach so many life lessons about hard work, success, failure and resilience & I love seeing swimmers develop and grow as people during their swimming journey
Shelley
I’ve been a Level 2 assistant coach since 2014. I joined SASC aged 10 and swam competitively for 6 years. I have continued to swim in the pool and in open water, with front crawl being my favourite stroke. I returned to SASC when my two daughters began to swim and whilst bringing them to sessions, I started volunteering. The most rewarding part of coaching for me is seeing the swimmers progress. My hope is that they will always enjoy and continue to swim in the future.
Mike
I have been assistant coach since 2021. I grew up swimming competitively in Malaysia. Favourite stroke – butterfly. What I love about coaching is feeling like I have helped the kids enjoy parts (no matter how small the part) of the training, and that they feel better than they did compared to when they arrived for training.
Helen
Hello, I have been assistant coaching, part time for 2 years. I have swum all my life and took up running as an adult, leading to 3 marathons. I am a big believer in sport for pleasure, fitness and wellbeing, as much as competition. I love seeing the swimmers strive to achieve their individual goals, improve their technique and make meaningful friendships at regular training sessions.
Phil
I’m a Swim England qualified level 2 coach and swimming teacher with a life long passion for swimming . A competitive swimmer in Somerset, I loved the training and competing and when my children were ready I introduced them to swimming with Stretford ASC . Supporting our swimmers improve their technique and learning to train is as rewarding as it is fun! The physical and mental wellbeing that swimming offers at every stage of life keeps me in the water and on poolside.
Alisdair
I have been a national level swimmer, achieving a bronze medal in 100 Fly, which is my favourite stroke. I have recently completed my level 2 coach qualification having been coaching for a number of years & I enjoy seeing the swimmers progress and achieving their goals.
Chloe
I have been swimming with Stretford ASC since I was 8 years old. When i was 13, I placed 6th place in north west regionals in 100 freestyle, and also competed in 50 free, 50 backstroke and 100 backstroke. I was vice captain of the club from the ages of 12 to 13, then captain from ages 13-17. I started as a junior coach when i was 12 years old, and slowly made my way up the coaching world. I am a level 1 teaching assistant and use my knowledge from past experiences to help my swimmers improve. I normally work with the mini and junior dolphin groups, and enjoy this as I really provide them with the foundations for competitive swimming and give them the basic knowledge to start their swimming careers.
Ellie
I made the transition from a swimmer to a volunteer coach at the club when I was 16 years old. I completed my level 1 teacher qualification and also work with Trafford Leisure as an assistant swimming teacher.
Ehsan
I used to be a competitive swimmer and water polo player. I enjoy helping swimmers to improve their technique as well as creating friendly, engaging and inspiring environment for them to thrive. Personally, I love swimming and the way it makes me feel. I am a swim England qualified level two teacher and level one coach.
Igor
I am a level 2 teacher and will soon complete my level 1 coaching qualification. I have swam competitively to a high level in Ukraine and freestyle is my best stroke. I have teaching and coaching experience over 13 years.
Jared
I’ve been a part of Stretford ASC since I was 9 and started helping out with coaching when I was 16, I have swam at a high level attending nationals for 6 years and even achieving an individual medal one year. My favourite event is 200m Free and what I love about coaching is seeing swimmers persevere and finally achieve goals after hard work.
Water Polo Coaches
Simon and Gareth
Stretford water polo teams are coached by Simon Jones and Gareth Potts, who are both qualified school teachers and Level 2 coaches. Simon and Gareth have represented the Club at both swimming and water polo since they were children and have gone on to play polo at National League level. They have both received junior international honours in the distant past! They enjoy coaching beginners and have enabled many young players to gain regional and international representation. Gareth continues to play and is a key member of the Stretford Senior Team which Simon coaches.
