Mark
swimming teacher
AVAILABILITY
fitness first cottons
Monday o8.35am o9.35am 11.35am 12.35pm
Tuesday 12.35pm o1.35pm o3.35pm o4.35pm
Wednesday o4.35pm o5.35pm o7.35pm o8.35pm
Thursday o2.35pm o3.35pm o5.35pm o6.35pm
Friday
Saturday o8.35am o9.35am 11.35am 12.35am
Sunday
MY STORY
A proud Brummie (Birmingham), less the accent ... well sometimes the accent. I've always loved sport, all sports. My two younger sisters (Joanne & Ruth) and I swam, they were always much better than me. One day after training our coach asked Ruth and I if we'd liked to teach the children's learn to swim program, Ruth declined without hesitation, I accepted, and the rest is history. I never planned to get into swimming, I don't think anyone does, but I'm grateful to have found my passion.
~beyond the pool~ I'm still thinking about the pool.
EXPERIENCE
swimming teacher/ head coach
Perry Beeches SSS Swimming Club, BIRMINGHAM, England, JAN 2oo7 - FEB 2oo9
Initially teaching ‘Learn to Swim’ I was soon handed the responsibility of age group and senior squads - culminating in my appointment as Head Coach.
Reason for leaving: Whilst on a coaching course I was invited to apply for the position of Northamptonshire County Development coach. A club with an excellent pedigree and at the time home to two European Junior swimmers on their books.
county development coach
Northampton Swimming Club, NORTHAMPTON, England, FEB 2oo9 - APRl 2o1o
NSC is a performance centre into which swimmers from surrounding satellite clubs feed into. As County Development coach I visited these clubs offering support to coaches and to 'identify' talented 1o to 13 year olds. Those swimmers that showed potential were invited to pick up extra training with the newly formed County Development Squad I was appointed to set up and deliver. Upon reaching a Regional Level they moved along the 'talent pathway' put in place by British Swimming.
Reason for leaving: I wanted a better understanding of the swimmer pathway, from entry (Learn to Swim) up to pre/ early competition. To be poolside teaching is 'the stage' - the answers to my questions were 'behind the curtain' in the office.
learn to swim manager
Virgin Active, LONDON, England, NOV 2o1o - NOV 2o12
Management roles involved ...
Developing and directing a comprehensive program of group and individual swim instruction (8oo child group participants).
Engaging with clients and colleagues, listening to any concerns and feedback in relation to the scheduling of lessons (14o scheduled group lessons per week), the instruction given, and the environment provided.
Recruitment, training, and retention of all swim instructors (13 teaching staff)
Delivering lessons myself.
Reason for leaving: I felt compelled to take the next step in my swimming education by working with talented athletes and coaches at a successful elite program. After the 2o12 London Olympics I looked to see where the medals came from. Behind America and China, France was third in the swimming medals table. Nine of those medals came from one club, Olympic Nice Natation (ONN)- four individual medallists!
assistant coach to elite team
Olympic Nice Natation, NICE, France, JAN 2o13 - AUG 2o15
I had the privilege of working alongside a truly inspirational Head Coach (Fabrice Pellerin) and Olympic swimmers, medalists and world record holders (Camille Muffat, Yannick Agnel, Charlotte Bonnet, Jérémy Desplanches, Dávid & Evelyn Verraztsó, Lottie Friis, Pernille Blume, et al.).
As a team we travelled extensively for competitions and training camps.
Reasons for leaving: Where did I want to be? What was I doing to achieve it? My ambition was not to be an Olympic Coach. My decision to leave was based on three reasons;
1. To explore why elite swimming was not representative of society. What are the barriers to 'learning to swim'?
2. Autonomy - The choice in how I respond to a given task and a sense of self determination. The character of an Assistant is to be faithful and trustworthy. I held tight to these values and believe it was why Fabrice and I worked so well together.
3. The job was in Kenya : )
ps. Fabrice has been the biggest influence in my life to date. He was very generous with his time and mentoring and for that I will always be grateful.
head coach
Kenya School of Swimming, NAIROBI, Kenya, AUG 2o15 - JUL 2o16
A creative tenure that led to steep membership growth and favourable athlete performance. I gained an appreciation of the challenges facing Kenyan Swimming governance, along with a deeper understanding of how culture and environment shape swimming.
Reasons for leaving:
1. Difficulty securing a work permit. I wasn't prepared to risk renewing a tourist visa. In truth, I very much have wanted to stay if the proper permit was forthcoming.
2. I love competitive swimming - but 'Learn to Swim' kept calling me back.
Concerning my move to Swimming Nature ...I’d been approached previously during my time at Virgin Active. On my return to the UK I reached out.
swimming teacher/ project coordinator/ venue coordinator
Swimming Nature, LONDON, England, NOV 2o16 - JUL 2o2o
The delivery of personally tailored in-water instruction to children and adults.
My work was varied and provided exposure to all elements of the business. Three main areas of focus were;
1. Teaching swimming.
2. Recruitment, training and induction of new swimming teachers.
3. Understand the the Adult Swimming landscape.
Reason for leaving: I have two dreams - One was to set up a Swim School. The pandemic gave me a nudge to realise this. Here I am taking the first steps.
swimming teacher/ founder
Learn to Swim Limited, LONDON, England, Incorporated JUL 2o2o
