Meet the Coaching Team

Jamie Black – Head Coach [email protected] Jamie joined the coaching team in 2023 after finishing his degree in BSc Sport & Exercise Science at Swansea University. Jamie has now both L2 Teaching and Coaching qualifications and has been accepted into the yearly cohort to complete his L3 Coaching during the 2026 season. Having raced at a national level for Sharks when he was younger, he now helps take the athletes to regional and national competitions. With experiences in Strength & Conditioning after a tenure working with Swim Wales’s elite swimmers, he is driven to help implement these skills with our own young swimmers. Jamie understands the importance of the Coach–Athlete relationship as a key part of long-term success and this helps drive his philosophy with the swimmers he coaches.

Jordan Chappell – Lead Development Coach [email protected] Jordan joined Leicester Sharks in 2022, where he has played a significant role in creating a strong pathway for swimmers to transition from learning to swim, to reaching county and regional standards. Having completed his degree in BSc Sport & Exercise Science at Coventry University, Jordan spent time developing his craft at other swimming clubs in the West Midlands. Now qualified as both L2 in Teaching and Coaching, Jordan places a strong emphasis on skill and technique with his coaching philosophy based on one of his favourite quotes, “swim smarter, not harder”. Jordan continues to prioritise the long-term athletic development of every individual, whilst still enjoying the journey in the pool.

Hadden Smith – Lead Competitive Coach [email protected] Hadden joined Leicester Sharks in 2024 after graduating from Sheffield Hallam University with a BSc in Sport Coaching. He holds both L2 Teaching and Coaching qualifications and has experience coaching swimmers of all ages and abilities, from learn to swim through to performance national level. As a swimmer Hadden achieved county and regional times and proudly represented the UK at the International Children’s Games in Taiwan, as well as Great Britain in Aquathon in Romania. He remains actively involved in Masters swimming. His coaching philosophy centres around two points that “a happy swimmer is a fast swimmer” and “no garbage yardage”. He continues to promote smart, purposeful training and long-term development.

Additional Coaching Team

• Kim Black
• Lindsey Hackworth

Assistant Coaches

At Leicester Sharks we are fortunate to have an amazing coaching team, who themselves lead a multitude of assistants on poolside. Having multiple eyes on poolside, particularly at a younger level, really benefits the swimmers as their strokes are continuously analysed and corrected by our poolside support staff

• Pete Thorpe
• Jamie Potter
• Sophia Tsinontas
• Dave Patterson
• Rachel Donnelly
• Sarah Burgess
• Macy Norton
• Alex Keeble