Coaching & Development

Coaching at Bluefins is built on clarity, consistency and long-term development across swimming, Water Polo and our Disability & Inclusion programme.

It goes beyond writing sets and recording results. It focuses on developing people, supporting progress and building potential throughout the programme.

Our coaching team combines experience with energy and works collaboratively to create environments where swimmers and players develop with confidence and purpose. Although the aims of each programme differ, our coaches share clear standards and a commitment to development appropriate to the individual.

Our Coaching Standards

Bluefins coaches hold recognised qualifications appropriate to their roles and maintain safeguarding certification in line with SwimMark requirements. Assistant coaches and Junior Volunteers work within structured supervision pathways.

Coaches continue developing through practical experience, mentoring, collaborative planning, formal qualifications and regular discussion across the club.

Our shared standards include:

strong technical foundations
clear and consistent communication
development appropriate to age and stage
positive training behaviours
individual responsibility and ownership
safe and supportive coaching environments

The full philosophy behind these standards is explained in our dedicated Our Coaching Approach article.

Coaching and the OADF

The Optimal Athlete Development Framework supports long-term athlete development at Bluefins.

It helps coaches consider the development of the person, the athlete and the performer while keeping progression age appropriate, sustainable and based on more than short-term results.

The same long-term thinking applies to our coaches, who are supported through clear development opportunities and defined leadership roles.

Supporting Coach Education

Bluefins supports the wider coaching community by assisting the

Institute of Swimming in hosting practical sessions and tutors for Level 1 and Level 2 coaching qualifications.

Typically, two courses are delivered each year.

Hosting these courses makes recognised coach education more accessible while strengthening coaching knowledge within Bluefins and the wider aquatic community.

Pathway Coaching Leads

Spencer Turner - Head of Swimming

• Level 2 Swim England Coach • Level 2 Swim England Teacher • Level 3 Personal Trainer • Masters 100 FS British Record & Multiple World Record Relays • Former Double European Masters Champion 2022 • Leads pathway design and alignment • Oversees technical standards and progression criteria across squads • Manages day-to-day club operations • Coach: Development through to Performance • Specialism: Skill development and long-term athlete progression • Hampshire Skills Coach: 2020 & 2025 • Coaching since 2008

Graeme Thomas - Head of Performance

• Level 3 Swim England Coach • Level 2 Swim England Teacher • Former Youth National finalist: 200BK & 100FS • Extensive experience coaching at Regional and National level • Leads performance and competition planning across the pathway • Specialism: race preparation and performance progression • GB Skills Coach: 200 IM Programme • GB World Class Start & Potential Programmes: Group Coach • SE Region Talent Camps: Group Coach • GB Senior & Junior 'Mare Nostrum Tour: Group Coach • Placed swimmers on GB European Junior Teams • Coach: National & Regional Performance • Coaching since 1987

Youssef Awad - Water Polo Head Coach

• International Coach • International Referee • Syrian National team player 1992 • International Coaching, in Syria, Ukraine, Kuwait, Lebanon and Egypt • Coaching over 35yrs

Tony Bamberger - Head of Inclusion & Disability

• Level 3 Swim England Coach • Level 2 Swim England Teacher • Coaching over 40yrs

Juliet Annesley-Gamster - Inclusion & Disability

• Level 2 Swim England Coach • Level 2 Swim England Teacher • Coaching over 30yrs

Oceiah Annesley - Inclusion & Disability

• Level 2 Swim England Coach

Colin Wills - Fitness Squads

• Level 2 Swim England Coach • Level 2 Swim England Teacher • Coach: Fitness & Development • Specialism: Skill development • Coaching since 2004

Tom Blakeley - Development to Performance

• Level 2 Swim England Coach • Level 2 Swim England Teacher • Austswim Teacher of Swimming & Water Safety • NZQA Cert III in Aquatics • Former National-level swimmer: 200BR & 100BR • Coach: Youth Performance, County & Masters • Specialism: Technical Skill development • Coaching since 13yrs as Junior Volunteer

Nick Skinner - Age Group Performance

• Level 2 Swim England Coach • Former Youth English Record 200BK • Former National Champion: 200BK & 200FLY • Coach: Age Group Performance • Coaching since 2021

Emily Budzynski-Seymour - Development to County

• Level 2 Swim England Coach • Level 2 Swim England Teacher • BSc Applied Sports Science • MSc Applied Sports and Exercise Science • PhD in Sports Science • Masters British Champion 200BR • Hampshire Skills Coach 2019 • SE Region Skills Coach 2020 • Coach: Development through to County • Specialism: Early age group skill development • Coaching since 2011

Andy Wright - Muilti-pathway Coach & Official

• Level 2 Swim England Coach • Level 2 Swim England Teacher • Swim England Referee • Coach: Fitness through to Performance • Specialism: skill development • Coaching since 2021

Coaching Assistants & Volunteers

Qualified Coaches - Level 2

Andy (Fish)

Volunteers

Brendan, Dave A, Ian C, Josh, Olly, Sean HG, Sarah L, Tom F.

Qualified Assistant Coaches

Ellie, Emily, Laura (Inclusive & Disability), Lizzy, Millie, Molly, Zarra, Zoe.

Volunteers

Andy C, Dean, Georgee, Ian H, Mandy, Sarah M, Tony S (Inclusive & Disability)

Junior Volunteers

Cameron, Emily, Gemma, Lexie, Manjari, Molly, Ruby.

Water Polo Qualified Assistant Coaches

Roger, Ioannis, Sam, Aston.

Junior Volunteer

William.

David Wittig - Development to Performance

• Level 2 Swim England Coach • Level 2 Swim England Teacher • Regional finalist • SE Region Talent Camps: Group Coach • Coach: Development through to Performance • Specialism: Technical skill development • Coaching since 2001

Junior Volunteers

Junior Volunteers form an important part of the Bluefins coaching structure.

Swimmers aged 14 and over support lead coaches within Skills Academy, Development, Club, Competitive, Disability & Inclusion and Water Polo sessions under direct supervision.

They assist with organisation, demonstrations, feedback and swimmer or player support while developing responsibility within a structured environment.

Junior Volunteering is not informal shadowing. Volunteers are guided, observed and supported and professional standards apply throughout their time on poolside.

Many Junior Volunteers progress into formal qualifications, including Swim England Assistant Coach awards and teaching certificates. Others gain leadership experience that supports education, employment and personal development beyond sport.

The pathway from swimmer to volunteer and then to qualified coach helps retain knowledge, strengthens continuity and develops future leadership from within the club.