Paul Perry

Head Coach 

Performance Lead

Participate & Compete Lead

Qualifications: Senior Swimming Coach (Level 3), SE Team Manager 1+2

Bio:

Paul started his Coaching journey back in 2012 when his daughter Natasha joined Yeovil District Swimming Club (YDSC) aged 5. With a strong passion for swimming, Paul began helping with the YDSC Learn to Swim program and went onto complete his Level 1 Teaching Assistant course in 2013.

As a former swimmer of YDSC for 12yrs and reaching County level consistently throughout his time at the club. Paul's biggest achievement was Silver at Western Counties (now known as Regionals) in the U/14 400m I.M.

Paul developed a strong passion for coaching and quickly gained recognition from club members who noticed real improvements in their swimming. Inspired by this positive feedback, he worked hard to develop his own unique coaching style before completing his Assistant Swimming Coach Level 1 qualification in 2018. In the same year, Paul also achieved his Level 2 Swimming Coach certification, along with both Level 1 and Level 2 Team Manager qualifications. In September 2022 Paul was made Assistant Head Coach of Yeovil District Swimming Club before qualifying as a Level 3 Senior Swimming Coach in 2023

Appointed Head Coach of Wells Swimming Club in May 2025, Paul saw it as the perfect moment to embrace a new challenge with a club whose ambitions matched his own. Leading Wells SC marks an exciting new chapter in his coaching journey—one he describes as the “perfect adventure.”

Paul is known for his attention to detail and technical precision, which form the foundation of his coaching philosophy. He firmly believes: “You can’t expect consistency if you’re not consistent yourself.”

Paul sets high standards for his swimmers, encouraging them to:

• Be kind
• Be tough
• Be positive
• Be polite
• Be on time
• Think outside the box
• Don’t breathe on the first stroke
• And always thank your coaches!

His passion and principles continue to inspire swimmers across all squads at Wells SC.

Chris Hillman 

Assistant Head Coach

Junior Performance Lead

Qualifications: Swimming Coach (Level 2), CMI Certificate in Coaching (Level 3), SE Team Manager 1

Bio:

Chris was a successful competitive swimmer when he was younger, achieving National times in 100m and 200m Breaststroke. More recently Chris has represented the Royal Navy, swimming in Inter-Services competitions including an international event in Italy in the late 2000’s. Chris remains a keen recreational swimmer and has two daughters that swim for Wells. Chris went on to help poolside, and at swim meets as a Team Manager before completing the Level 1 Assistant Swimming Coach qualification. This led to the completion of the Level 2 Swimming Coach qualification in 2025. Chris was appointed as the Assistant Head Coach of Wells SC in the same year. For the 25/26 season, Chris was selected to coach as part of the Delivery Team for the Somerset County Development Pathway, working for Somerset ASA and assisting in the development of the County's most talented swimmers. Chris loves to work with the Junior Performance and Performance level swimmers, preparing them for racing and supporting them on race day.

Coaching Philosophies:

'Focus on the process, not the outcome'

'A happy swimmer is a fast swimmer'

'Develop the person, not just the athlete'

'The mind is the athlete, the body is simply the means'

Sarah Purdie

Swimming Coach

Pre-squad Lead

Qualifications: Swimming Teacher (Level 2) and Swimming Coach (Level 2), SE Team Manager 1

Bio:

Sarah grew up in Plymouth where she was a Devon County level swimmer. In 1991, Sarah qualified as a Swimming Teacher (Level 2) teaching at Dinnaton Swimming Club in Ivybridge, Devon for a few years.  After her son joined Wells SC, Sarah took the opportunity to get back on poolside (and in the pool on occasion with the Masters). Sarah is now also qualified as a Level 2 Coach.

Antony Rackstraw

Swimming Teacher

Swans & Cygnets Lead

Qualifications: Swimming Teacher (Level 2)

Bio:

Antony works with our junior squads, developing the fundamentals learned within the 'Learn to swim programme' into the more advanced technique and skills required to progress to our Development and Performance squads. Antony is a passionate Teacher, loved by the members, who also takes his own swimming very seriously. Antony regularly swims with our Masters Squad and has completed the Hellespont Cross Continental Swim on several occasions - an annual 6.5km, open water swim that crosses between the continents of Europe and Asia!

Duncan Vẻrel

Swimming Teacher and Assistant Coach 

Masters Lead

Qualifications: Swimming Teacher (Level 2) and Assistant Swimming Coach (Level 1)

Bio:

Duncan is our amazing Masters Teacher / Coach. He has been involved with the club for many years and has children that have swam for Wells over the years. Duncan also chaired our Committee a few years ago, a huge role, leading and managing the 'behind the scenes' side of the swimming club.

Matthew Cunio

Swimming Teacher and Assistant Coach 

Masters Lead

Qualifications: Swimming Teacher (Level 2) and Assistant Swimming Coach (Level 1)

Bio:

Matthew has always been a swimmer. Back in the late 70s and early 80s he swam for the City of Southampton Swimming Club, where he began his teaching and coaching journey. More recently, Matthew got back into serious swimming through a relay at the London Triathlon in 2006. From there he has now swum the Dart 10K, Lake Annecy in France, the Bantham Swoosh and the StartTrygFonden Copenhagen Swim, amongst others. Matthew works as a Swimming Teacher at the Millfield Swim School and as an outdoor lifeguard at Vobster Quay. Aligning his teaching and coaching philosophy to the Swim England “Active For Life” principle Matthew stated, 'I wasn’t the fastest swimmer when I was younger, but many years later I still enjoy my swimming, teaching and coaching.'.

Lee Chard

Assistant Swimming Coach

Development Lead

Qualifications: Assistant Swimming Coach (Level 1), SE Team Manager 1

Bio:

Lee began volunteering poolside when his two children joined Wells SC. After training as a Team Manager, he dedicated many weekends to supporting the coaching team during race days. In 2023, Lee took on the role of Chairman of Wells SC, contributing significantly to the club’s modernisation and long-term sustainability.

With a background as a football coach, Lee is passionate about developing young athletes. In 2025, he earned his Level 1 Assistant Swimming Coach qualification and now leads the Development Squad, focusing on technical preparation for competitive swimming.

Richard Thatcher

Assistant Swimming Coach

Qualifications: Assistant Swimming Coach (Level 1), SE Team Manager 1

Bio:

Rich became interested in swimming when his two older sons swam for Wells SC at County and Regional level. With his daughter now swimming for Wells at County level. Rich enjoys swimming with the Masters Squad and open water swimming at Vobster Quay. He has previously taken part in triathlons at various distances. Rich started as a poolside helper and went on to complete his Assistant Swimming Coach (Level 1) qualification in 2024. Rich is also qualified as a Team Manager 1 and regularly assists the Coaching Team at meets and galas.

Yvette Campbell

Assistant Swimming Coach

Qualifications: Assistant Swimming Coach (Level 1)

Bio:

Yvette started her swimming journey as a young child growing up in Zimbabwe where she swam at secondary school though not at a competitive level. Going into her forties Yvette began running and decided to take up triathlon a year later reigniting her passion for swimming. With both of her children swimming for Wells SC, Yvette spent a year assisting poolside.  Her growing interest in swimming and for sport, in general, led her to complete her Level 1 Swimming Assistant Coach qualification in 2025.  Today, Yvette assists with both the Junior Performance and Performance Squads.  Her youngest child is still a member of Wells SC and thoroughly enjoys it.

Katie Chambers

Swimming Teacher

Qualifications: Swimming Teacher  (Level 2)

Bio:

Katie is an Ex-Regional level swimmer with Wells SC, she now swims with our Masters Squad. Katie is also a qualified Lifeguard.

Tui 

Assistant Swimming Coach

Qualifications: Assistant Swimming Coach (Level 1)

Bio:

Tui has been a member of Wells SC since 2021, after previously swimming with Bristol Henleaze Swimming Club. She is a committed member of the Performance Squad and enjoys coaching the Development Squad along with the Participate & Compete Squad, helping to create a positive and encouraging environment in which everyone can develop their skills and confidence.  When she’s not racing herself, Tui is usually poolside, cheering on the Club and lending a hand to the Head Coach and Team Managers at meets. In 2025 Tui was selected to train as a Level 1 Swimming Coach through a scheme ran by Somerset ASA as part of the County Development Pathway. She now assists in the coaching of our junior and development squads, prepairing them for performance and competitive swimming.

David Clark

Poolside Helper

Qualifications: SE Poolside Assistant CPD, SE Team Manager 1

Bio:

With three daughters swimming for Wells SC, David quickly became a familiar and supportive presence at the club. Regularly volunteering his time as a Poolside Helper to assist during training.

David is a qualified Team Manager and continues his support at galas and meets, working closely with the coaching team to ensure everything runs smoothly.

Macy 

Poolside Helper

Qualifications: SE Poolside Assistant CPD, SE Swimming Lesson Assistant CPD.

Bio:

Macy is a dedicated Poolside Helper with a background in competitive distance swimming. Macy has been swimming with the club since 2018. A former County-level swimmer, she achieved county qualifying times in the 1500m Freestyle demonstrating both endurance and commitment to the sport. Drawing from her own experience in the pool and on race day, Macy has developed a passion for coaching our junior squads and is usually available to mentor young swimmers at their first meets. Macy aims to make sessions both effective and fun, helping the younger athletes to grow in confidence and ensuring they have a positive experience in the pool. Macy also regularly volunteers her time for Somerset ASA events such as the County Development Meet and County Championships. In 2025, Macy was awarded Somerset ASA's Young Volunteer of the Year Award (Bronze)!

Jacob

Poolside Helper

Qualifications: SE Poolside Assistant CPD

Bio:

Jacob is a talented member of Wells SC, swimming for our Performance Squad. He qualified for Regional Championships in 2025 in the 50m Butterfly, and then December 2025, qualified for the Swim Wales Winter National Championships where he competed in 8 events. Jacob has also achieved County qualifying times in numerous events and distances. Jacob has developed a passion for coaching and loves to share his extensive knowledge and experience of swimming and racing with the Club’s junior swimmers.

Rowen

Poolside Helper

Qualifications: SE Poolside Assistant CPD

Bio:

Rowen swims for our Performance Squad and got involved with coaching as part of his Duke of Edingburgh's Award. Rowen now assists our coaching team as a poolside helper during our busy Thursday sessions passing on his knowledge and experience.