Meet the team (Coaches & Committee)

Club Chairperson: Sarah Buchan

I’d like to say thank you to the Committee and parents for electing me as Chairperson of North Norfolk Vikings Swimming Club.

I’m looking forward to helping to continue to support the great club we have developed for our swimmers. The committee meet every 10-12 weeks and ensure we have everything in place for a successful and safe club. If you ever have any questions or concerns please do speak with any of us or your squad rep.

For anyone who doesn’t know much about me… I have been a swimming teacher and coach for nearly 30 years, I still compete in Masters for the club. Our two children Isaac and Noah swim in the club and have done since we moved to Norfolk. I retired from the Royal Navy in 2015 and have since been working in business consultancy and running my own Swim School. II am currently the CEO at Fakenham Medical Practice.

My focus is to continue the good work of the club, ensure our swimmers meet their aspirations and that we are in the best position to continue. For this I ask you all to support in any way you can. Be that paying subs and getting gala entries in on time, answering calls to help at galas, lane coach or officiate. We’re of course always looking for support however there are currently a number of important vacancies – if you’re not already regularly helping please do come and talk with me about where you could come help out even if that’s for just an hour a week.

See you at the pool soon, Sarah

“You can’t put a limit on anything. The more you dream, the farther you get.” Michael Phelps, most decorated Olympian of all time.

Sarah

 

Lead Coach: Sam Watts

Level 2 qualified teacher & Level 2 qualified Coach:  performance squads

I would like to introduce myself and share my swimming background. I was introduced to competitive swimming through my mother who was also competitive swimmer. My grandfather was a coach for many years within a local club. I started competing at ten years old and performed well as a sprinter. Within a few years and some tough competition, at fifteen I became County Champion in the 50m fly and 50m freestyle.

I completed a National Diploma in Sport and had the privilege of visiting Australia on a swimming scholarship while studying a Certificate in Sport Development. This provided me with more knowledge and appreciation for competitive training.

Having a short break from swimming allowed me to come back into the sport with respect for the hard work it takes to achieve. As a senior and master’s swimmer my training shifted focus on endurance and distance. I have been able to qualify and compete internationally. Within the 30-35 year age group, I took part in the 2016 European Master Swimming Championships London, where I finished 25th in 400m freestyle.

Exceeding my own expectations, a year later, during the World Masters swimming Championships in Budapest, I moved up the rankings and finished 15th in the same event. Continually pushing my personal bests and adapting my training. Finally, this summer I challenged myself to my first open water competition and it’s an event I won’t forget. Finishing as the Norfolk County champion within my age group.

I believe it’s important to know that swimming exists beyond youth swimming and age groups. We can continually fight and push our boundaries. Joining the Vikings family, I will bring enthusiasm, first-hand experience and passion for a sport I have been a part of for most of my life. I will continue to grow and learn coaching skills that will aid those in the water. Setting achievable goals and targets to aim towards.

Within my swim teaching I have worked with a variety of abilities and understand each swimmer develops differently and may have different ways of learning. Working with swimmers my aim is for them to be the best that they can be.

I look forward to the journey we will share.

Sam

Gemma Mizon Level 2 qualified teacher – development Squad

Gemma has recently joined the Viking coaching team and will be involved with the development squad and trains with our Masters squad. As a swimmer she used to swim for Maldon Sharks back in Essex and competed for 13 years. Gemma holds a Level 2 teaching qualification and has had over 10 years teaching experience including teaching abroad. Gemma currently assist with the running of Caister swim school operating out of  theJohn Grant School.

 John Holden:  Level 2qualified teacher & Level 2 qualified coach – development Squad

 

John holds Swim England’s Level 2 Coaches &Teaches certificates. He also holds the Level 2 Teachers certificate with the Swimming Teachers’ Association (STA). John is a qualified life saving tutor/assessor for both the Royal Life Saving Society and the STA. John has had a number of years experience and you will normally find him coaching the Development Squad at the Victory.

Guy Metcalf:  Level 2 qualified teacher – performance squads

Guy’s association with the Vikings goes back since he started with the club at the age of 7 years and swam with them until he was 27! He holds Swim England’s  Level 2 Teachers Certificate and is an STA  qualified Open Water Coach which takes him around the world leading swimming holidays. He is very experienced and  has held a number of aquatic teaching roles in Schools Swimming , Adult Education and advisory roles across North Norfolk

 

 

Sam is supported by a team of experienced  (DBS checked), volunteer teachers.

Your Committee: 

Key contacts: 

Chairperson – Sarah Buchan

Membership Secretary – Jane Bussey

Welfare Officer – Louise Harris

The rest of the Committee:

Treasurer – Jane Bussey

Secretary –  Samantha Seaman

Fixtures Secretary – Niki King

Welfare & Training – Louise Harris

2nd Welfare Officer – Rebecca Morton

Norfolk County Rep. – Becky Horne-Morris

Swim Mark Accreditation – Co-Ordinator – Guy Metcalf

Kit Ordering – Roxanne Demmen

Press, Fundraising & Website  – John Holden

Squad Representatives:

Squad A & B Rep – Anna Drake Craig Sayer

Squad C – Samantha Seaman

Bridging &  Development –  Vacant

Masters & Triathlon – Guy Metcalf

The Committee

The Club is run as a not for profit organisation managed by a dedicated committee of elected volunteers.

The committee meets on a regular basis every few weeks. The committee is elected at the AGM which is held each November, and everyone is invited to attend. If the post of any Officer or Committee member should fall vacant after such an election, the Committee shall have the power to fill the vacancy.

If you are interested in joining the committee, have skills that the club may find useful or just want to get more involved please speak to Sarah Buchan.

The Committee has the authority to appoint a Lead Coach and Assistant Coach(es) with the appropriate qualifications and experience. Conditions of appointment and expenses are by mutual agreement. The Coaches have no financial control but do have open access to the Committee

From time to time we hold fundraising events and have club outings. To enable us to keep you informed of these events and to ensure you receive up to date squad mailings please ensure your email address is included on the club application form and always let us know if you change your contact details.

Most of the general information distributed is also put onto the notice board, so it is advisable that parents also regularly check the notice board, located to the left of the door as you enter the Victory, North Walsham.

Swim at Victory

Swim at Rossi's