Coaches

Head Coach

Lesley Batson – our Head Coach – won Coach of the Year award in 2014 and 2015 as well as the National ASA Silver Award in the ‘Service to Aquatics’ category. Being the Head Coach, Lesley is responsible for all aspects of the club in regard to Swimmer & Coach development.

Her determination and planning of sessions tailored to Squad training and individuals is outstanding. Through years of development she has taken swimmers from Improvers to International and National Level, British Summers National Champion and finalists, British Summers Champions and finalists , SwimEngland Summers and Winters Qualifiers, finalists and Medalists. The vision she has for the club has started with the quality of coaching she carries out and the coaches she has brought to the club...

Assistant Head Coach

Lawrence has reached the highest level of National Competition in the UK. Last year he qualified for the British Championships-World Trials where he made the semi-finals in 50m breast, his speciality, which saw him ranked top 10. This year he has qualified for the 2015 World Championships trials at the London Aquatic Centre in the 100m Breaststroke. He holds the current County records in the 50, 100 and 200 Breast Stroke and 200 IM and Regional for 50, 100 and 200 Breast. He is also 2014 Regional Champion for all three Breast stroke distances. He is also 2015 British summers National Champion 50 Breast, 100 breast Bronze Medalist and ASA Home Nations 200m Breast Champion. Aswell as ASA Winter National Champion at 50m Breast and bronze in the 100m Breast. 

Lawrence al...

BTF Level 2 Coach, ASA Level 1 Teacher
Graeme is a member of the Masters Squad and the Social-Media co-ordinator for Putteridge. Graeme is PSC’s Triathlon Head Coach and is a level 2 Triathlon coach and level 1 swim teacher. He is racing his 6th Ironman tri in Barcelona this year and has raced for the GB Age group team in Madrid 2015 European Duathlon championships.

Graeme is currently Heading the Club’s Triathlon Squad which sees Tri Specific Training session for young Triathletes or where swimming is an element.

Performance 1 and 2

Dean is an ASA level 2  Swimming Coach.

Dean is a very experienced parent in the swimming world. Dean’s daughter, Jessica was National 100 freestyle Champion at 15yrs old. He knows how hard it is on parents and the dedication it needs to support your child in competitive swimming. 

Level 1, Assistant Coach

Level 2 Certificate in Leading Health- Related Activity sessions giving Gavin the formal qualification to run land training sessions

As every parent of a swimmer knows you find yourself with plenty of spare time at swimming pools. Not being one for sitting around Rob decided to get involved. Initially he helped out as a poolside helper, which he really enjoyed and after a few months, progressed to ASA Level 1 Coach.

Every swimmer has different goals and recognising this and helping them achieve those goals is why he enjoys coaching.

Outside of the pool he enjoys all sports and is a qualified coach in Rugby and a Level 2 qualified referee.

“The club always needs volunteers. The step across to the poolside can be daunting at first but it is massively rewarding and I would encourage anyone who has an interest to give it a go.”

John is a very experienced Level 2 Coach with many years experience, he has been a part of the swimming world for 15 years plus as he has supported his own children to National Level of Competition. Brandon is still swimming and competing at National Level.

The many many hours over the years that John has volunteered is incredible, he is also a Judge 2 S, still assisting PSC from and officials perspective.

There is nothing John doesn’t know!!

Swimming teacher assistant (ASA Level 1 Teacher)

Emma’s passion for teaching children to swim comes from watching her own children learn and develop her daughter Olivia and son Sebastian both swim for PSC.

“To see the sense of achievement in a child’s face when they swim for the first time is priceless”
Emma Newman-Baronius

Emma has nearly completed her training with Swim Smooth to become one of the few international Certified Swim Smooth Coaches.

Alongside her coaching with Putteridge she provides advanced video analysis, stroke correction, squad training and learn to swim programmes.

Emma is enjoying her return to competitive swimming with Putteridge Masters and will be spending more time on the triathlon circuit this year both as a competitor and a coach.

As you can see, I have many roles in the club and love all of them. It can be challenging but fun at the same time. I do believe hard work, dedication and consistency always pays off. “

Nicola’s daughter trains at PSC and is an extremley enthusiatic member of the coaching team.

Nicola currrently assists poolside on a Tuesday and Saturday and has just completed her ASA level 1 Teachers Course. She is looking forward to continuing to develop with our ever-growing club.

“When my daughter started swimming at Putteridge, it wasn’t long before I realised that I’d much rather be helping poolside than watching from the stands. I have recently completed my level 1 teaching assistant course, where I overcame some long routed fears in the water and I now want to qualify as a coach. Working poolside at Putteridge has been an amazing experience, from the swimmers, behind the scene volunteers to coaches everyone is friendly and helpful...

Kelly also has 2 children who train with the club. Kelly has just completed and passed her ASA level 1 Teacher course. She was already a very experienced poolside helper and has great patience. Kelly teaches our Development Squad on a Friday and assists whenever required. Kelly is also our Disabiity Swimming Co-ordinator.

Level 2 Certificate in Leading Health-Related Activity sessions giving Kelly the formal qualification to run land training sessions.

“I have been volunteering at Putteridge Swimming Club for almost 2 years as both my children swim at the club. Being a volunteer on poolside has given me the opportunity to work towards my Level 1 swimming teaching and Level 1 judging qualifications...

Adele Price is a swimming teacher assistant (ASA Level 1 Teacher).

Adele has an HND in sport and a degree in Sport Science Health and Fitness. She works at Chantry Primary Academy and at present works with a child that is blind. She has participated in a wide variety of sports, and feels that she can utilise her skills and abilities to educate and encourage children in what it takes to succeed in this challenging sport and what an amazing opportunity they have.

Maria Elliot is ASA Level 1 teacher.

“Teaching/coaching is a great way to support the children to achieve and progress within an area they enjoy. To be a part of their journey to see their faces and excitement throughout their achievements gives me great pleasure.  My main interest is working with our ASD children I have worked within a special needs school for many years and would like to share the knowledge and skills I have whilst learning the skills needed to teach swim to range of fantastic children within Putteridge swimming club”.
Maria Elliot

Lynn’s background is as a Teacher at a local school.

She wanted greater fulfilment and sought that by becoming involved with swim teaching at PSC.

Lynn is now ASA level 1 Teacher and teaches our Development squads at the Tuesday Evening session and Saturday afternoon session, as well as assisting Lesley with the Access to Sport Disability sessions.

Performance

Carina became a swimming teacher when a group of women needed a female teacher for their community swimming activities in the early 90’s and has never looked back. Carina is currently a Level 3 coach, Level 2 Teacher and Level 1 Teacher for swimmers with disabilities.  Carina is also a Judge 1, waiting to be assessed for Judge 2. Carina has coached club and schools squads, twice taking her school’s teams to the National Schools Championships finals on several occasions. Carina’s swimming background is in Life Saving competitions having competed at a National level in both pool based and open water scenarios. Carina teaches people of all ages to swim including those with learning or physical disabilities and we have some good fun in the process.

‘My aim is to help as ma...