What is your experience in the swimming world ? 

I have been coaching for 30 years and currently I am the Chief Coach at Witham Dolphins.  Formerly I held the position of Chief Coach at Colchester Swimming Club.  I am also an ex-competitive swimmer representing the Suffolk County

What is your profession ? 

Freelance Consultant and Lecturer of Human Resource Management & Leadership (Chartered CIPD), Swimming Coach at Bramston Sports Centre Witham

What swimming related qualifications do you have ?

ASA Coach and Senior Tutor [Coaching]

Why do you do it ? 

I enjoy helping people achieve in competitive swimming, coaching and tutoring

Name some of your past achievements

Coached a number of swimmers to National Championship finals at Senior, Age Group and Masters level

… your best moment ?

Helping Witham Dolphins win promotion to Division 1 Speedo League winning by 1 point

… and the worst ?

The Long pool closure that almost put the club out of action and losing a number of our best swimmers

Favourite Film /Film Star ?

Sean Connery first James Bond because I liked his style

Favourite type of music ?

1960’s Rock Music that was when I used to frequent dance halls as a youth

What hobbies do you have ?

Bird watching – the feathered variety

Who would you most like to be stuck in a lift with ?

Sir Isaac Newton who contributed so much to science

Tell us an interesting fact about yourself

I was a film extra in a motion picture called ‘A Passionate Summer’ starring Bill Travers and Virginia McKenna filmed in Jamaica W.I.

If you were a chocolate bar, which one would you be and why ?

Cadburys Milk Chocolate because I like it

What is your experience in the swimming world ? 

20 years coaching and teaching.

What is your profession ? 

Tutor and teacher for coaching and swimming

What swimming related qualifications do you have ?

ASA club coach level two teacher National pool life guard

Why do you do it ? 

Love to see swimmers achieve at all levels from teaching to coaching

… your best moment ?

Have had swimmers achieve medals at Essex and gain regional times

… and the worst ?

Having my knee done!!!

Favourite Film /Film Star ?

Harry Potter would love to have gone to Hogwarts

Favourite type of music ?

Love the Beatles status quo and west life

What hobbies do you have ?

I enjoying spending as much time as I can with my grandchildren

Who would you most like to be stuck in a lift with ?

Jack Sparrow  always fancied being a bit of a pirate myself

Tell us an interesting fact about yourself

Don’t like the dark or spiders

If you were a chocolate bar, which one would you be and why ?

I would not be a chocolate bar, I’d be a jelly baby

What is your experience in the swimming world ? 

Experience - I work at Bramston as a Swimming Teacher and have helped with Witham Dolphins since Feb 2005.  Junior Squad Coach since Sep 2006

What is your profession ? 

Swimming Teacher 

What swimming related qualifications do you have ?

Level 2 Swimming Teacher, Qualified Lifeguard, completed Lane Coaching Course

Why do you do it ? 

I enjoy helping swimmers improve and gain confidence to compete in galas and I look forward to every Dolphins Session

… your best moment:

The fantastic Team Spirit seen at every Gala and seeing swimmers compete in a gala for the first time

… and the worst ?

No worst moments yet

Favourite Film /Film Star ?

Film - Serendipity, because I am a great believer in fate. Star - Nicolas Cage,  because he has a gorgeous voice

Favourite type of music ?

Lots of different types of music, but fave all time song is "I Don't Wanna Miss a Thing by Aerosmith

What hobbies do you have ?

Running and Cycling,  Going to Theme Parks - I love Rollercoasters

Who would you most like to be stuck in a lift with ?

Any one of the following… Nicolas Cage, John Travolta, Hugh Jackman, Johnny Depp, Pierce Brosnan, Hayden Christensen, Johnathon Ross, Simon Cowell or Arnold Swarzenegger

Tell us an interesting fact about yourself

I used to be an Aerobics Instructor

If you were a chocolate bar, which one would you be and why ?

Aero - Bubbly but can be a bit of an airhead

What is your experience in the swimming world ? 

I’ve been involved with Witham Dolphins as a masters swimmer for the last 6 years, and have been coaching for the last 2. As a kid I swam competitively and was also a member of Dolphins in my twenties when I was training for triathlon

What is your profession ? 

I’m the operations manager for a marine electronics company. I’ve spent the last six years working with the design team from the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) on the new Tamar class lifeboat

What swimming related qualifications do you have ?

I’m an ASA Level 2 Teacher and am currently working towards my UKCC Coaching level 2 & 3

Why do you do it ? 

I get a lot out of swimming. I also get a lot out of helping other swimmers to improve. There’s nothing better than seeing one of the kids with a big smile all over their face because they’ve just smashed a PB

Name some of your past achievements

When I was younger, I swam competitively at county / regional level

… your best moment ?

Swimming at the masters world championships in Italy 2004

… and the worst ?

Not being able to go to the 2008 masters world championships in Perth, Australia where my father lives

Favourite Film /Film Star ?

I’m a big movie fan and I like all sorts

Favourite type of music ?

I like lots of different types but mostly I listen to Indie and  80’s / 90’s new wave

What hobbies do you have ?

I play a number of musical instruments

Who would you most like to be stuck in a lift with ?

Someone who could fix it

If you were a chocolate bar, which one would you be and why ?

Don’t get me started on Chocolate. If I could avoid it, I would swim the 100 metres Breaststroke 2 seconds faster

What is your experience in the swimming world ? 

 I have been involved with the club for 10 years joining when my daughters started swimming with the club

What is your profession ? 

Semi-Retired former Banker. Now work part time at William De Ferrers School

What swimming related qualifications do you have ?

None, but I am a former Football League Referee Class 1 and Junior Gym Coach

Why do you do it ? 

I enjoy all forms of sport and keen to encourage others to take part.

Name some of your past achievements

Away from swimming having been given the chance by Sir Bobby Robson to train with the Ipswich Town first team and John Lyall’s West Ham United first team in the 70’s.

… your best moment ?

Seeing our swimmers do well in all competitions they take part in.

… and the worst ?

When the club lost the use of the swimming pool due to closure

Favourite Film /Film Star ?

The Godfather I enjoy Gangster films and crime dramas

Favourite type of music or song ?

Imagine by John Lennon

Who would you most like to be stuck in a lift with ?

Colin Dexter, Joanna Lumley, Sir Bobby Robson, John Major, Lyndsey de Paul

What is your experience in the swimming world ? 

I was a swim teacher a little while back. I have worked in banking for 20 years and now run my own business

What is your profession ? 

Currently Managing director of Teaching Off the Wall Ltd. Selling Educational Resources from USA to schools and Nurseries

What swimming related qualifications do you have ?

Member of the Institute of Certified Book-keepers and National Rescue Award for swimming Teachers and Coaches

Why do you do it ? 

I want to put something back into the club that my son has had so much out of

… your best moment:

Seeing the faces of the swimmers when they get a great PB or win a race

… and the worst ?

Having to rescue the dummy from the bottom of the diving pit as part of my National Rescue Test

Favourite Film /Film Star ?

Ghost – love a good cry !

Favourite type of music ?

Rock – I like loud music !

What hobbies do you have ?

Don’t really have time for any but I do like to shop

Who would you most like to be stuck in a lift with ?

No-one, I have a fear of confined spaces

If you were a chocolate bar, which one would you be and why ?

Kit-Kat, don’t know just the first one that came to mind

What is your experience in the swimming world ? 

None until I had a rush of blood to the head and agreed to be Club Secretary in 2005

What is your profession ? 

Project Manager

What swimming related qualifications do you have ?

National Rescue Award for swimming Teachers and Coaches so I can help cover Dolphins sessions when the Coaches can’t make it, rather than cancel them

Why do you do it ? 

To make the Club better for all the swimmers so they can develop to their true potential. A friendly Club atmosphere helps achieve this.

Name some of your past achievements

Completing 25m in the Ric Oram Gala in 2006 ! Plus passing the National Rescue Award last year

… your best moment ?

Watching people enjoy the Annual Ball each year – something I have a big part in organising and helping to make Witham Dolphins more than just a swimming club

… and the worst ?

Losing a number of swimmers and helpers from the Club during last year

Favourite Film /Film Star ?

The Ipcress File, starring Michael Caine

Favourite type of music ?

Generally 60s and 70s pop music. I’m a massive Dean Friedman fan too ! (who ?)

What hobbies do you have ?

I help run Witham Dolphins Swimming Club and am a member of the Management Committee of the Essex Olympian Football League

Who would you most like to be stuck in a lift with ?

Tony Blackburn – I want to know what makes him so cheerful at that time every morning !

Tell us an interesting fact about yourself

I once won a Credence Clearwater Revival 10 CD box set from Mike Reid, live on Capital Gold Radio, by naming the 4 members of the band.

If you were a chocolate bar, which one would you be and why ?

M&Ms – because that’s normally all that’s left when you leave chocolate around me… a wrapper !