Background

"Since joining the club in 2018, I’ve had the privilege of aligning my passion for coaching with the vision of Poole Swimming Club. I take great pride in having taken on the mantle of Head Coach, and I am eager to be a part of the exciting new era we are entering together as a club".

Chris coaches for the thrill of success. Seeing athletes put in the hard work day in and day out and watching that dedication pay off later in their journey is incredibly rewarding for both the athlete and the coach. That sparkle in their eye when a personal best is achieved or a qualifying time is hit is what drives Chris to keep pushing toward the next milestone.

But it’s not just about performance in the pool; it’s also about personal growth. Being part of an athlete’s journey over many years and watching them grow into kind, caring young adults as they move on to university or their careers makes it all worthwhile. Knowing they leave the club with positive experiences and strong values is a success in itself.

Qualifications

• BscHons: sports Psychology and Coaching Sciences
• Swim England Senior Coach Qualification
• ASA Level 2 Teacher

Coaching Experience

• Regional Development Pathway Coach 2022-2023 & 2023-2024
• National Age Development Pathway Skills Coach 2024-2025
• County Development Head Coach 2025-2027
• Inter-County Team Head Coach 2025

Janet Hutchings (Assistant Head Coach)

Background

My involvement in swimming coaching stemmed from my own personal achievements within the sport, which culminated in me competing in the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester as well as multiple international meets. A former head coach, where I saw athletes achieve national and international selections. I now look to give back to the sport my passion and enthusiasm and share this up and coming swimmers.

Coaching Style

Qualifications

• BSc Sport Development and Coaching Sciences
• Level 3 ASA Senior Performance Coach
• Swim England South West Coaches Committee 2014- 2017
• Dorset Head Coach 2011, 2012, 2013
• ASA Coach Leadership and Support Systems Programme 2009 - 2011

Background

Louis joined the club as a swimmer, and during his time with Poole has progressed into a coaching role, after he started volunteering on poolside with Maralyn.

"I love coaching, and seeing the swimmers celebrate each other and themselves when they succeed is the best part. I'm a big advocate for the swimmers supporting one another and creating a wonderful team spirit with each other on poolside"

Coaching Style

Louis has a strong committment to technique and skill development, he says they are the foundations of all apsects in swimming and should be maintained and developed throughout the whole swimming journey. Louis also feels it's important to keep a sense of fun in training, rewarding hard work with a game or some exciting relays at the end of a session.

Qualifications

- Level 2 Swimming Teacher

- SE: Swimming Coach

Background

Qualifications

Background

Born in Poole, Maralyn joined Poole Swimming Club in 1960 and swam for Dorset several times. In 1967, she won the Ladies Diving Competition for Dorset.  She qualified as an ASA Level Two Teacher in 1971.

In 1987, she became President of Poole Swimming Club and again in 2010.  She became Life President in 2005.  In 1997, Maralyn was awarded Dorset Coach of the Year.

Coaching Style

Maralyn has a nurturing style, preparing swimmers for their progression from the Star Groups to the squads in the Club.  She places a strong emphasis on children enjoying themselves and having fun, while learning swimming technique.

Qualifications

• ASA Level 2 Swimming Teacher

Background

Coaching Style

Qualifications

Background

A County level junior and senior squash player in his youth up until University.

Sport has always been the place of self-motivation and determination outside of work, reaping the greatest personal rewards and satisfaction.  From completing the 3 peaks challenge, to cycling cat 2 mountains in Tenerife or simply participating in a local 10Km events, there are not many sports he won’t throw himself into, (especially if there is a charity involved or a ball)

A self labelled ‘competitive dad’, his foray into all things swimming has, like many parents, been formed by supporting family through the journey of endless hours of practice, travel and competition.  In 2013 with it being clear sitting around a pool for a good number of hours a week was going to be just the start of a long journey, he began to volunteer poolside, keen to support coaching staff, understand not only stroke development but technicalities and governing rules of the sport.  Qualifying as a level 1 Official in 2015  then Level 2 in 2017 and attending an increasing number of training sessions it was clear that the more support each swimmer could be offered, identifying their individual needs, was in part down to a formula of just how much could one pair of coaches eyes see at any one time in a 25m pool and that just how much more feedback could be generated if that was doubled. With that, the coaching journey started, qualifying in 2016 as a ASA Level 1 coaching assistant and coinciding with a move to Poole SC, he has supported Age Performance and National squads both in the pool and in land training as well as progressing his Officiating qualifications.

Coaching Philosophy

To provide the best support to the Head Coach in every session. Understand the intention of the set and ensure the swimmers enjoy fulfilling their potential by building confidence in their abilities through technique analysis, skills training and aerobic challenge.  Keep things simple. Believe that sometimes you have to swim slow before you can swim fast . A firm believer in ‘you get out what you put in’ …Coaches are there to coach, although self-motivation and effort are the skills each competitive swimmer has to believe are necessary, to achieve their full potential. Favourite quote to date….   “If you are not willing to learn, no one can help you.  If you are determined to learn, no one can stop you.” Whether just starting on the swimming journey or a Gold medallist, there are always things to learn, however initially counter intuitive, your only limit is how much you want to listen and learn …. Swimming is a mentally exhausting sport for everyone, repeatedly adjusting technique until its instinctive, takes some say, 10000 strokes... That’s the challenge of coaching but when you see these athletes get it right and realise that they have overcome another challenge there is nothing more rewarding….Don’t practice until you get it right.  Practice until you can’t get it wrong.

Qualifications

• ASA Level 1 Coach
• ASA Official Judge Level 2
• ASA Level 1 Team Manager