My background is rooted in competitive swimming and the practical delivery of sport at club and event level. I began my swimming career at Thirsk White Horse Swim Team (THWST) in North Yorkshire, training under a committed and highly skilled coaching team. Through this environment, I progressed to county, regional and national competition by the age of 15. THWST played a significant role in developing both my performance in the pool and my long-term connection to the sport, particularly within strong league and county programmes. Alongside my own training, I became involved in supporting swimmers on poolside from an early age, sharing technical advice and assisting with sessions. This exposure, supported by experienced coaches and teachers, led me naturally into coaching and teaching roles. At 16, the club invested in my development as a swimming teacher, opening a new pathway within the sport. Working at Hambleton Leisure Centre and later supporting Northallerton Amateur Swimming Club, I gained experience across teaching, coaching and club operations. Over the past six years, working with both local authorities and swimming clubs has given me a clear understanding of how swimmers should be developed for the long term — from early stages through to competitive performance. I am now a Level 3 Swim Coach, signed off in both Performance and Development, as well as a Level 2 Swimming Teacher. Alongside my practical experience, studying Sports Coaching (BSc Hons) at Northumbria University strengthened my commitment to research-informed and model-based coaching practice. This has shaped how I approach athlete development, coach education and programme design, with a strong emphasis on enjoyment, retention and sustainable performance. Reviewing national trends around drop-out and burn-out has reinforced the importance of purposeful, age-appropriate progression in sport. My coaching philosophy is simple:

Success should be judged over the long term. Athletes progress best when training is appropriate to their age and ability, while remaining engaging, purposeful and enjoyable.

Beyond coaching, my work has expanded into swimming timing solutions and website development, supporting clubs, competitions and organisations with reliable systems, clear communication and professional delivery. Across all areas of my work, the focus remains the same: practical solutions, attention to detail, and doing things properly. Alongside my self-employed work, my day-to-day role is Deputy Headteacher in a large secondary school in North Yorkshire, where I have also served as Acting Head of School during a period of transition. In this role, I played a key part in stabilising the school, strengthening systems and processes, and ensuring consistency and reliability across operations. I am known as a developmental leader with high integrity, focused on building sustainable improvement through clear structures, evidence-informed practice and strong professional relationships. The leadership skills developed in education — strategic planning, quality assurance, risk management, clear communication and accountability — transfer directly into my self-employed work, ensuring that every project is delivered with professionalism, reliability and attention to detail. If you would like to discuss coaching, event support, timing solutions or web projects, you can contact me at greg@gregient.com.