Coaching & Development

Coaching at Bluefins is built on clarity, consistency and long-term development across swimming and water polo.

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. Whether racing in the pool or training for water polo competition, the emphasis remains consistent: clear progression and consistent standards.

Our Coaching Principles

We prioritise fundamentals. In swimming, technical skill forms the foundation for speed, efficiency and endurance. In water polo, strong swimming mechanics, body position and tactical awareness underpin effective play. Across both disciplines, the basics are non-negotiable.

We coach the athlete, not just the outcome. Effort, habits, responsibility and respect for the process sit at the centre of improvement. Competition is important, but it sits within development rather than replacing it.

We operate as one club and one pathway. From Skills Academy through Development, Inclusive & Disability, Performance, Fitness, Junior Masters, Masters and Water Polo squads, every athlete sits within a shared structure supported by consistent expectations.

How We Work

Our coaching is detail-focused. In swimming, strokes, starts, turns and transitions are broken down so athletes understand what to adjust and why it matters. In water polo, attention is given to movement efficiency, positioning, awareness and decision-making under pressure.

Challenge is always delivered with care. Athletes are expected to work hard and take ownership of their progress, supported by coaches who provide clear feedback and consistent guidance.

Coaches collaborate across squads and disciplines. Planning, language and progression criteria are aligned so movement between squads or sports is structured and understood.

Progress is monitored and reviewed. Goals are set and revisited to ensure training remains appropriate to each athlete's age and stage.

An Eye for Detail

A defining feature of Bluefins coaching is our attention to detail. Precision in technique, clarity in communication and consistency in standards underpin daily work on poolside and in both sports.

These expectations apply throughout the programme, including the Inclusive & Disability and Fitness pathways. Alignment strengthens progression and supports confident movement through the club structure.

Read more: Our Coaching Approach — An Eye for Detail
(a deeper look at technical expectations and coaching standards)

Coaching and the OADF

The Optimal Athlete Development Framework underpins our pathway. We focus on developing the person, the athlete and the performer for long-term progression and retention. The framework guides how training evolves through childhood, adolescence and into performance sport. It reinforces age-appropriate development, technical literacy, physical preparation aligned to growth and emotional wellbeing.

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

This approach has supported swimmers and players reaching County, Regional and National competitions while sustaining strong retention across pathways.

Read more: The Optimal Athlete Development Framework (OADF within the Bluefins pathways)

Coaching Standards

All Bluefins coaches hold recognised Swim England qualifications appropriate to their role and maintain safeguarding certification in line with SwimMark requirements. Assistant coaches and Junior Volunteers operate within structured supervision pathways.

Coaches engage in ongoing professional development, collaborative planning and regular pathway review to ensure standards remain consistent throughout the club.

Bluefins also supports the wider coaching community by assisting the IOS in hosting practical sessions and tutors for Level 1 and Level 2 coaching qualifications. Typically, two courses are delivered each year. Hosting these courses strengthens the wider coaching community.

Pathway Coaching Leads

Spencer Turner - Head of Swimming

• Level 2 Swim England Coach • Level 2 Swim England Teacher • Level 3 Personal Trainer • Masters British Record 100FS & Multiple European 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), Keone

Volunteers

Ben, 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 (Inclusive & Disability), 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.

Across Skills Academy, Development, Inclusive & Disability, Competitive, Fitness and Water Polo squads, swimmers aged 14 and over support lead coaches within sessions under direct supervision. They assist with organisation, demonstration, feedback and athlete support, developing responsibility within a structured environment.

This reflects the same expectations we place on all athletes: responsibility, positive habits and ownership of their role within the team.

This is not informal shadowing; Junior Volunteers are guided, observed and supported, and professional standards apply at all times.

Many Junior Volunteers progress into formal qualifications, including Swim England Level 1 Assistant Coach awards and teaching certificates. Others gain leadership experience that supports university applications, employment and personal development beyond sport.

A visible pathway from swimmer to volunteer to qualified coach strengthens continuity within the club. It ensures coaching remains connected to the athletes it develops and that knowledge is retained across generations.

A clear pathway from swimmer to coach strengthens continuity and leadership within the club.

Junior Volunteers are not an add-on. They are part of how Bluefins builds sustainable leadership across the programme.

Supporting the Coaching Environment

Coaching carries responsibility beyond session delivery. Planning, communication and athlete development extend beyond poolside hours. At Bluefins, all coaches operate part-time and most balance coaching alongside careers, study or family responsibilities.

Protecting the coaching environment is a deliberate part of how the club operates.

To sustain a high-quality coaching environment, we focus on:

Maintaining coach-to-swimmer and player ratios that allow meaningful feedback
Expanding the coaching team so leadership and workload are shared
Aligning planning and pathway decisions across disciplines
Creating a clear pipeline for future coaches
Supporting junior volunteers as they progress into formal qualifications
Investing in coaching qualifications and ongoing mentoring
Recognising the time commitment required beyond session hours
Encouraging open, professional dialogue within the coaching team

These practices shape how the club operates.

Read more: Investing in Coaching Development (qualification progression and structure)

National research has highlighted wellbeing pressures within aquatic coaching environments, and while Bluefins does not reflect those findings, awareness remains important. Sustainable coaching protects session quality, athlete welfare and the culture of the club.

Read more: Supporting the Coaching Environment (how we sustain quality)