Coaching Team
Giannis Valkoumas - Head Coach
 
My name is Ioannis Valkoumas and I have been the Head Coach for Worksop Dolphins since September 2019. 
 
I was born in Thessaloniki (Greece) and I have been a swimmer for over 15 years. My best stroke was butterfly and I have been Greek National Team member, Greek National Champion, National Record holder in 50m and 100m butterfly, Balkan Champion and Balkan Junior Record holder in 50m butterfly. I have participated in European Championships, Junior Olympic Games, Multination Meetings and Mediterranean Games.  
 
After the end of my swimming career, I took a bachelor degree from Physical Education and Sports Science Department of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, with specialisation in Swimming and Lifeguarding. Subsequently, I finished my Master’s Degree in Sports Science with focus on Swimming Biomechanics. I also finished my PhD studies which also focuses on Biomechanical analysis of Swimming.
 
My swimming coaching experience started at 2002 as a National Team Assistant Coach. All these years many of my swimmers have been National and International Swimming Champions and I feel extremely blessed that I have the opportunity to work with so many talented young athletes. 
 
My entire coaching philosophy could be characterised by these words: Trust, Hard Work, Mentality

My favourite quote is: "We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit." - Aristotle
Gianna Valkoumas - Director of Swimming
 
I was born in Thessaloniki (Greece). I have been a swimmer for 15 years, my best stroke was butterfly and I have been Greek National Team member, Greek National Champion, National Record holder in 50m, 100m and 200m butterfly and Balkan Champion. I have participated 2 times in European Championships with final participating, World School Championship with final participating and Multination Meetings.
 
After the end of my swimming career, I took a bachelor degree from Physical Education and Sports Science Department of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, with specialisation in Swimming and Lifeguarding. Subsequently, I finished my Master’s Degree in Sport Management from Physical Education and Sports Science Department of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki.
 
I have been coaching since 2004 and I believe that hard work and the right mentality lead someone to success.
Alice T- Assistant Head Coach
 
I was a competitive swimmer for over 10 years, specialising in 100m, 200m and 400m freestyle. I have multiple British and English National medals, including being British Champion in the 400m freestyle. I was also part of the England Talent Pathway for 4 years and have represented my county and region at national levels. 
 
Following my competitive swimming career I found a love for swimming teaching which I have been doing for the past 2 years. I have gained swimming teaching qualifications and also have a bachelor's degree in Sport and Exercise Science. I want to use my knowledge and experience to help inspire and coach young swimmers to develop into successful elite athletes.

Guy Wilkinson - Swimming Coach

I swam as a child but my main sport became Rugby from my teens onwards. I have always enjoyed playing various sports and really enjoy the challenge of learning new things in sport. I have always used swimming as part of my training/recovery routine.

My eldest son swam for Dolphins from 2008-2016 and my younger Son and Daughter swim with Bircotes SC and Retford Lifesaving. While my eldest was at Dolphins I swam with the masters group as it was back then under one of the clubs great coaches Bill Parr. I was also involved with the committee and on poolside as an official and team manager, over time I got more involved with coaching and went on to be a performance coach. In the last few years I have stepped up as interim head coach at both Bircotes and Bassetlaw.

I have a lot of experience teaching all stages of the swim pathway, also working with adults learning to swim and progressing their swim abilities, I have also worked with an S.E.N.D group teaching and coaching them to a competitive level.

My philosophy is everybody deserves the opportunity to be the best they can be.

My favourite quote would be "Don't put off until tomorrow what you can do today" - Benjamin Franklin
 

Euan Hayes-Wormall - Assistant Coach
Hi I’m Euan! I’ve been working with Worksop Dolphins since May 2023, and have swam competitively since 2015. I am also a student at Worksop College, currently studying A-levels. I hope to give the swimmers a welcoming and comfortable time within the club, helping them reach their goals and aspirations

 

Luke - Assistant Coach
I'm am one of the coaching assistants. I learnt to swim from an early age and used to be a member of the Worksop Dolphins swim squad. I enjoy being in the water with the children, supporting and encouraging them whilst they are learning to swim. 

Harry Pyott - Assistant Coach

Hi I’m Harry! I’m a competitive swimmer in A Regional squad and also I studying the NCFE Level 3 Diploma in Sport and Physical Activity at Notts North College. I’m creative, motivational and joyful. I like to see the fun in stuff instead seeing the down side of things.
Ella W - Assistant Coach
 
I swim for the club in the Regional Squad and ejoy helping out with the swim school.

Kirsten Hibbard  - Assistant Coach

I’m a coach for Worksop Dolphins and I also swim for the A Regionals squad. I have been swimming from an early age and have always enjoyed it. I love coaching because it is great to make a positive impact on a child’s swimming journey and to encourage them to swim too.
Evie Holes - Assistant Coach
 
 

I love coaching and helping the younger children learn new things. Teaching has always been a passion of mine and I want to use my knowledge of the sport to help improve their technique.

 

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