Thame currently has a vacant position for Head Coach.
Any expressions of interext, please contact [email protected]
Freya Dodd: Fundamental Coach
Freya started swimming with Thame Swimming Club in 2018 and continues to swim in Group 4 and is currently the Club Captain. Her passion for swimming continues and she enjoyes coaching Fundamentals and starting swimmers on their competetive swimming journey. In her role as Club Captain, Freya will often be seen leading the warm up with the other Captains as well as cheering on the Fundamental Swimmers
Maya Camp: Group 1 Coach and Group 4 coach
Maya started swimming with Thame Swimming Club in 2013 where the pool became her second home! Through her 8 years of competitive swimming with the Club, she experienced some amazing times including swim camps and becoming Vice Club Captain for her last 2 years at the Club. Throughout Covid and lockdowns, she had less time for training, however, she didn’t want to leave the club and wanted to give something back..
She helps swimmers through the transitions from swimming lessons to competitive swimming, teaching them gala basics while continuing to develop their stroke technique. She cannot wait to see them grow within this sport and the amazing club as she has!
James Rampley:- Group 1 and Group 2 Coach
James started swimming with Thame Swimming Club in 2018 and worked hiw way up through all the groups finished as Club Captain and Group 4. James stopped swimming as he was sitting his A levels but was not ready to leave the club. His motivation and drive continues with wanting to support the younger swimmers starting out with the club.
Damian Wakefield: Group 2 Coach
As a parent, Damian always wanted to give his children the opportunity to take part in a variety of sports as they grew up. Swimming was one discipline that his son found a passion and talent for, which quickly became his main sport. As a result, he became more involved in the club, first as Team Manager, then helping out with coaching.
Whilst Damian's son has now finished swimming at club level he has continued with his coaching development and has since gained Level 2 Swim Coach qualification.
Damian's time as a volunteer coach is rewarded by seeing the development of our young athletes in the pool. Striking the right balance between discipline, hard work, and commitment, while making time in the pool fun and varied is key. He wants all of our swimmers to remember their time at the club with fond memories and to have a lifelong love for swimming.
Mark Simms: Group 2, 2+ Coach
Mark became involved with Thame Swimming Club in 2010 when his 2 daughters became Thame Swimming Club members. To help the club he trained as an official, becoming a Qualified J2S Swimming official, and regularly attended Galas to officiate on behalf of Thame swimming club.
Mark decided to become an ASA Swimming coach in 2015 passing his ASA assistant coach and ASA coach qualifications. Mark has coached all groups within the club and became Assistant Head Coach in 2018, before becoming Head Coach in 2022, stepping down from this role in 2024.
Mark continues to enjoy Swim coaching and with this aims to help every Thame Swimming Club member to reach their full potential within their swimming.
Nick Harris: Assistant Head Coach and Group 3 Coach
Swimming to a national level many moons ago, Nick's involvement in Thame Swimming Club is relatively recent. Soon after his son joined at grassroots in FUNdamentals in 2021, he started helping with Group 1.
Now he shares the Group 2 coaching as a Level 2 coach, as an opportunity to impart some experience of being the coachee for many years and give something back to the latest generation.
His aim is to help swimmers realise their potential and see them move onwards and upwards through the club.
He tries to keep current himself, although mostly a lane rope apart from Group 4 as he slums it in the public lanes a few mornings a week.
Phil Holdship: Group 3 Coach
Phil developed a passion for swimming at the age of 10 and trained at Stockport Metro Swimming Club where he swam in the national squad and subsequently became a National Age-Group Finalist. At University, Phil captained the Aberystwyth University Swim Team between 2000 and 2001.
Phil's daughter started swimming with Thame Swimming Club in 2021 and his son joined the club in 2023. Phil is a Level 1 Coach and teaches group 3 during training sessions and at race day events.
He loves seeing the children gain in confidence and improve their technical skills and enjoys helping them to reach their full potential.
Alex Brown: Group 4 Coach
Building on his childhood passion for swimming and also his experience of coaching junior development squads in other sports, he is delighted to be part of the coaching team at Thame Swimming Club.
Alex's children have grown in confidence since becoming members of the club and have inspired him to qualify as a Swim England Assistant Coach.
It’s great to be involved with a team of coaches who focus on guiding each swimmer to be their best, in a structured yet truly fun environment.
