Barry Alldrick (Head Coach)

Why do you coach?

"A swimmer finishes their race, touches the wall, turns around looks into your eyes knowing they have performed with the precision worthy of years of hard work, dedication, commitment and hours and hours of practice. Well that look, that look......leaves you breathless, unable to speak, holding back emotion and all you can do is sit down filled with pride knowing you have been a part of that journey.... that’s why I coach” - Barry Alldrick Performance Review 2016

Background:

Having earned junior international medals in swimming and competitive lifesaving Barry continued to coach voluntary for Lincoln Vulcans and Bournemouth Dolphins. In 2004 he became the Head Coach of Dorset Club Christchurch Seagulls leading a team of coaches and committed volunteers to nurture international Swimmers, Para-Swimmers, Water Polo Players and Tri-athletes. Early in 2014, Barry took on the Head Coach role at Poole Swimming Club.

Influence: Creation of a Performance Environment

Whilst maintaining a community, family and fun-based atmosphere at Poole Swimming Club Barry has been influential in creating a performance environment for athletes, coaches and volunteers.  The club over the last 3 years has made significant history with athletes regularly winning International, British, National, Regional and County Medals & Records.  Including athletes representing GB at European Senior, World & European Junior Championships and England at the Commonwealth Games.  The club has in recent years seen seven coaches engaged with the Swim England National Coaching Pathway. Poole Swimming Club became runners up to Performance Swimming Club of the Year in 2017.

Coaching Style:

Barry promotes a caring, creative and playful coaching style and constantly demonstrates a drive to stay one step ahead of the performance level of his athletes.  His attention to detail, passion and empathy with athletes earned him a place on the 2016 Swim England Coach 2024 programme. Since then he has coached in the International arena representing British Swimming and Swim England across the globe. Barry was awarded Swim England Coach of the Year in 2018.  

Qualifications and Roles:

• British Swimming Coach 2017 +
• Swim England National Junior Squad Head Coach 2020
• Swim England National Event Camp Head Coach 2019
• Swim England Coach of the Year 2018
• Swim England Coach 2024 Programme 2016- 2018
• Swim England National Pathway Coach at Levels 1,2,3 from 2011- Present
• Level 5 Professional Certificate of Education through the University of Greenwich
• Level 3 ASA Senior Performance Coach
• Swim England South West Coaches Committee 2014- Present
• Swim England South West Head Coach for Oversees Camp/ Comp 2016,2017
• Dorset Head Coach 2014, 2015, 2016

Janet Hutchings (Assistant Head Coach)

Background and why I coach

Quite simply, Jan coaches because she loves it. Her interest derives from experience in the sport as a competitive swimmer. She was born and brought up in Harrogate in North Yorkshire. Having learnt to swim at the age of five, her interest in swimming continues as a professional coach. She won her first county swimming medal in Rotherham, South Yorkshire in 1966 followed by her first Regional swimming medals in Felling, Tyne and Wear in 1968. During the 1970’s, as a devoted age group and youth swimmer, Jan represented Yorkshire and North Eastern Counties and went on to compete at National level, making several National finals. 

Jan has over 20 years’ coaching experience working with a wide range of swimmers and clubs including Harrogate District SC, Hemel Hempstead SC and Ferndown Otters. Since joining Poole Swimming Club in April 2011, Jan has successfully shown that she has the ability to prepare and develop Age Group swimmers from grassroots to National level. She has also coached National and International Masters swimmers including GB and World record holder Jean Howard-Jones.

Influence: Education & Research

As an academic, Jan has a first-class honours degree in Sports Coaching and Development. She has also conducted Postgraduate research on Master’s Sport participation, physical activity, health and wellbeing. She successfully completed her PhD entitled: “Life is good, life is what you make it…”  at Bournemouth University in 2015.

Coaching Style

Jan likes to adopt an athlete centred approach to her coaching. She believes that:  

“The key to success is motivation. It’s what you get up for in the morning. Find out what motivates you. Use it and never look back. It might change your life forever.”

Qualifications

• PhD: Doctor of Philosophy 
• BSc. (1 ^st Class Honours) Sports Coaching and Development 
• Fd.Sc . (Distinction) Coach and Athlete Development 
• Swim England: Level 3 Senior Swimming Coach 
• ASA/UKCC: Level 2 Coaching Swimming 
• ASA: Level 2 Teacher 

Coaching Experience

• Dorset ASA Talent ID Camp Coach: 2014 
• England Talent Regional Programme Coach: 2014, 2015 and 2016 
• Swim England National Phase One Talent Coach: 2017
• Swim England National Development Coach: 2018, 2019
• Swim England National Event Coach 2020
• England Programmes: Dorset County Pathway  Head Coach: 2019
• Swim England (South West) Coach: Lisbon International Meet 2020
• Swim England Pathway Coach Development Programme 2019-2020

Background

Been with a swimming club since I was 11, took my assistant swimming teacher qualification and used to lifeguard Poole Swimming Club fitness and masters sessions when we provided our own lifeguard cover. Took my swimming teacher qualification then helped out with the original Bronze/Silver/Gold (now Junior/Senior fitness). Prefer to swim myself rather than coaching/teaching others but I enjoy keeping kids involved in swimming without the pressure of a competitive environment.

Coaching Style

I am pretty relaxed but I do expect swimmers to try hard when they are at my sessions. There is nothing more frustrating than a swimmer that you know is capable of great swimming but chooses to cruise at the back of a lane!!

Qualifications

• Level 2 Swimming Teacher

Background

Katie started swimming for Poole Swimming Club at the age of 10 years old. She swam competitively for the club/county and also medaled multiple times at regional level. Her biggest achievement was reaching Nationals 4 times and in 2014 winning Bronze there. Katie was also Club Captain for 4 years running.

Whilst competing, Katie began volunteering to help teach the Star groups at the age of 14. After completing her teaching courses and Judge 1 award, Katie began teaching small groups which led on to her becoming the lead coach for Bronze.

Katie completed university with a 1st class Honours Degree in Applied Sports Science as well as completing her Level 5 Diploma in Sports Massage and Level 2 Gym Instructors Award.

In September 2017 Katie started to teach for Poole Swim Academy (Poole Swimming Club’s Learn to Swim Program). Katie now runs the program across 3 days, whilst continuing to Lead Bronze Squad.

Qualifications

• 1st Class BSc (Hons) Applied Sports Science
• Level 5 Professional Diploma in Soft Tissue and Corrective Exercise
• Strapping and Taping
• REPS Level 2 - Gym Instructor
• ASA Level 2 Teaching Aquatics (QCF)
• Judge in swimming level 1
• Team Manager Level 1
• Club Timekeeper
   

Background

I started swimming from an early age  & swam as a child with Hartlepool Swimming Club and I was also in the Life Saving Club. As an adult I still carried on swimming  within the Dorset Police Swimming & Lifesaving Team. I currently teach all ages at the club including the Silver Squad & Teach at Poole Swim Academy. I also help Barry coach the Open Water Swimmers. In my spare time I also swim & compete at Open Water Events.

Coaching Style

Qualifications

• Level 1 & 2 ASA Swimming Teacher
• Level 1 ASA Swim Coach
• Level 2 ASA Open Water Swimming Coach
• Team Manager

Background

From coaching at my home club in the south west of london I have had many outstanding experiences from switching from swimmer to coach. Most of all, understanding what it felt like to be a coach and to have a young athlete under your guidance achieve a PB or their first gold medal in a county championship. That moment of joy in their eyes, you know those early starts and tough 2 hour training sessions are all worth while in the end. It was then I knew coaching was for me. From there i went on to achieve my university degree which included a placement year where I spent my time working as head coach of Ryde swimming club with the goal to develop and increase participants from the local area. Aswell as this I also Coached on the Beacon pathway with Steve Greenfield, assisting in the development of national and international athletes on the Swim England Pathway. This is where first met Head Coach Barry and you could say was my foot in the door to joining his team of well experienced coaches.

While studying sports psychology and coaching sciences for 4 years at Bournemouth university, I had the opportunities to continue my passion for coaching with the university swimming team. I was apart of the team for 4 years as coach, captain and president, for my final two years, enhancing leadership and management skills. My time as president we managed to expand our team and host a friendly swim competition with other universities from other parts of the country, which was hugely successful. From this experience I was able to become apart of a larger programme with Poole SC.

Qualifications

• BscHons: sports Psychology and Coaching Sciences
• Swim England Level 1 & 2 Coaching Swimming

Background

Born in Poole, started swimming at an early age, joined Poole S.C in 2013. While studying BTEC Sport at A level, I was volunteering with Poole Swimming Club across many squads. I was then offered a permanent position within the club. Since then, I have been working with athletes aged between 7 and 14 developing key skills and producing County and Regional qualifiers.

Qualifications

• ASA level 1 Coaching
• STA level 2 Award & Certificate Teaching
• England Talent Pathway Skills Coach 2019

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

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

Coaching Style

Qualifications

Background

Coaching Style

Qualifications

• ASA Level 1 & Level 2 Swimming Teacher
• ASA Level 1 Coach
• Team Manager: Module 1

Background

Coaching Style

Qualifications

• ASA Level 1 Coach
• ASA Official Judge level 1
• ASA Level 1&2 Team manager
• England Talent Programme 2017 - Assistant team manager
• STA Level 2 Teacher

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