Meet our Coaches!
Apart from the swimmers themselves, the most important people at any swimming club are the coaching staff. Here at Sutton Swimming Club we can count ourselves very lucky indeed as we benefit from some of the most experienced and dedicated individuals in club swimming... in our humble opinion! It is important to say at the outset that none of our coaches receive any payment of any kind from the club... quite the reverse in fact. Most of our coaches annually incur costs in order to maintain their qualifications and choose not to seek reimbursement from the club; quite simply, it is their belief that the club is run for the benefit of the children not for the benefit of the coaching staff!
Our Head Coach is Gren Greaves. Gren has many years experience in swim coaching and knows what it takes to produce an international swimmer; his daughter Wendy went on to achieve international honours! Gren has a wealth of experience at all levels of competitive swimming and has high standards, commanding great respect from swimmers and parents alike. Gren takes primary responsibility for the training and development of our older, large-pool swimmers but is also keenly involved in the coaching of our younger, small-pool members. He lists among his qualifications: A.S.A Teacher Coach; National Pool Lifeguard; N.C.F.E.Diploma in Sports Psychology; N.C.F.E Sports Coaching Certificate; Sports Medicine & First Aid. He is also a recognised County Time-keeper/Judge/Starter and Referee.
Alan Urch is our longest serving coach and can boast to having been a Sutton Swimming Club regular for around 30 years, bringing a wealth of experience to the club. Alan's enthusiasm is contagious and his smiling face and down to earth manner make him a popular figure at poolside, particularly with our younger swimmers for whom he ordinarily takes responsibility. Alan too has experience of family involvement in competitive swimming - his daughter Judith was a Nova 'A' Squad member and swam at national standard. He lists among his qualifications: A.S.A.Club Coach; County Referee and National Judge/Starter/Time-keeper.
Christine Greaves is one of our squad coaches in the large pool. Christine has many years of experience in coaching to the highest level. Chris has also been the girls team captain for almost 20 years; she brings to the poolside vast experience of gala's and what it takes to perform and achieve, as her own daughter Wendy went on to achieve international honours! Christine is also our current club Chairperson, a position she has held for almost 15 years. Christine is highly qualified and amongst other qualifications is an A.S.A Teacher Coach and is a recognised County Time-keeper.
Emma Hosgood and Brian Hinson are also coaches in our small pool.