Coaching Team

You can contact the coaching team by emailing [email protected]

John Davey - Head Coach & Lead Coach, National Squad

John has a senior coach qualfication (previously known as Level 3) and has been selected on to the British Swimming Performance Coaching Pathway. This is what he says about his journey so far.

"Having been in a swimming environment from the age of 5, it seemed the natural progression for me to enter into the world of coaching, albeit via an unorthodox route.

I was fortunate enough to be in a performance programme that allowed me access to high levels of coaching and resources and, ultimately, to compete at an inter-national level. The highlight being competing at both Olympic and Commonwealth trials.

For as long as I can remember, swimming has been my main pastime and I wouldn't have it any other way. When I'm not on poolside delivering sessions, I'm researching new ideas and planning future sessions to further enhance my knowledge and benefit the swimmers in the club.

I try to use my own experiences to help the development of those around me and to give them the best possible chance to have a fruitful swimming journey. The thrill of seeing the continued development is a big motivation of mine, as well as being able to ensure that the next generation has as much fun and enjoyment in the swimming pool as I do.

I have coached athletes at all levels, from county qualifiers to national champions and the thrill of seeing the big smiles and happiness never fails to hit home.

I am a firm believer that a happy swimmer is a fast swimmer!"

Meg Jamieson - Lead Coach, Regional Squad

Meg has used her experience as a senior swimmer to develop her coaching skills, and is now a qualified Level 2 Coach. She is a great asset to the coaching team and works closely with Head Coach John to develop swimmers to regional standard. Credit to Meg that she manages to juggle training, coaching and studying - something that swimmers seem to be very good at, with organisational qualities that will stand her in good stead in life.

Phil Roe - Lead Coach, Development Squad

Like John, Phil is another swim badger and would give up his day job tomorrow to coach all day long, if he could. Having family swimmers of his own, he is great at building rapport with the swimmers and never misses an opportunity to share his enthusiasm for the sport wiith both swimmers and parents. He is a stickler for technique but has a lovely relaxed manner (and a dry sense of humour) which means the swimmers are engaged and learning in a fun environment.

John Grigg - Lead Coach, Junior Squad

John takes a very keen interest in self-development and is like a sponge when it comes to learning new coaching skills and techniques to pass on to his swimmers. His love of coaching is more than just a passion and he thrives on seeing his swimmers progress. Taking on Lead Coach for Junior Squad from mid-2025 onwards, John is passionate about preparing swimmers for competitions and giving their all in training sessions.

Darren 'Flash' Gordon - Lead Coach, Academy Squad

Flash has taken to coaching like a duck to water. He has achieved his level 2 coaching qualification after initially volunteering as a parent coach to help out the club. His day job as a trainer certainly helps him to relate to the young swimmers and his enthusiasm is infectious. He frequently sets 'homework' for his swimmers in the form of challenges which really hellps to gel the squad and raise the bar in terms of effort and performance.

Sarah Buckley - Lead Coach, Stroke Improvers

Sarah is a level 2 qualified coach with a passion for developing great technique in young swimmers, equipping them with the foundation skills needed to progress through the squads. As a mum, she is well aware of how to get the best out of young swimmers and has many years experience as a Junior Squad coach. 

James Ibbs - Coach

"I was a Regional level age group swimmer in my youth (including some time as a member of Newcastle Swimming Club) and then took a break from swimming when I went to university. I definitely recommend NOT to take a long break like this as it was really hard to get back into it later in life. I also competed in modern pentathlon and achieved a silver medal at national level. Swimming competitively opened up new channels for me such as pentathlon and triathlon.

I would really encourage young swimmers to maintain an interest in the sport throughout their life. Not only is it a great source of fitness and fun, it also opens up many opportunities later in life, such as triathlon and open water swimming. I'm also a great believer in the idea that 'every swimmer has their day'. Even if you're not winning now, there will come a point when you will start to do well and succeed. Keep turning up to training, keep putting the effort in and you will reap the rewards. Hard work beats talent any day!"

Peter Abbott - Coach

Peter brings a wealth of experience to the coaching team having been Head Coach at various local clubs, as well as a Swim Teacher. As a former professional footballer, he certainly understands what it takes to perform at a high level in sport. Peter really enjoys the challenge of developing endurance and technical skills in younger swimmers.

Adam Brigham - Land Training/Strength & Conditioning Coach

Adam has worked within the fitness industry since 2018. He has experience working within professional sport, amateur sport and with the general public. His qualifications include a BSc in Sport and Exercise Nutrition at Staffordshire University and a MSc in Sport and Exercise Nutrition at Loughborough University which involved designing an exercise protocol to cause muscle damage and using this to examine the impact of Omega-3 on reducing muscular inflammation.

During this time he worked with the Leicester Tiger Rugby Academy to carry out nutritional support and body composition assessment; then, with Port Vale FC where he provided a range of sport science support including strength and conditioning, nutritional programming and supplement support (a promotion winning season). He spent the next few years working within education, earning his PGCE, planning and delivering health-based courses and running exercise classes before moving back into health and fitness full-time.

Adam has experience in the design, successful implementation and review of strength & conditioning programmes within professional and academy football, academy rugby union, national and regional gymnastics trampolining, school netball and rugby.

The definition of S&C according to the UK Strength & Conditioning Association is:

"The specialist area encompassing the physical preparation of athletes for performance in sport, while aiming to prevent or minimise the risk of injury. It encompasses the planning and implementation of physical preparation programmes which include, though not exclusively, strength, speed, power, endurance, agility and flexibility. Effective programming in S&C presents the best synergistic combination for optimum development whilst preventing the risk of injury."

Callum Hurst - Sports Psychologist

Callum works mainly with our senior swimmers to develop individual plans for a variety of reasons - to excel on race day, to overcome nerves, to develop focused goals etc. As a swimmer himself, Callum is in a unique position to understand the issues faced by competitive swimmers.