Volunteers play a key role in delivering physical activity opportunities across Scotland. This is definitely the case for Grantown Swim Club where our sixty swimmers are supported by a dedicated team of twenty coaches who volunteer a massive amount of their time.
Many of these volunteers are senior swimmers who help poolside coaching the Club’s younger members. Volunteering offers them an opportunity to learn new skills, build confidence, share their sporting expertise and work towards a qualification. For example, Grantown Grammar School sixth year pupil, Jake Mills is a Level 1 coach writing his own session plans and is responsible for coaching a Club session at Aviemore Highland Resort.
Swimmers who have helped coaching the Junior Competition Squad, Development Squad and Highlife Highland's Learn to Swim programme this year are: Josh Talbot Heigh, Sophie Maclean, Erinne Bird, Seorus Vaughn, Ryan Maclean, Sam Cooke and Alex Philip, Greg Price, Ryan Maclean and Lauren Philip.
Level 2 coaches with the club are:
Holly Dunbar – a former swimmer who helps with training and coaching in Aberdeen or when she’s on her holiday’s in Grantown!
Kathryn Talbot Heigh – volunteers with the Junior Competition Squad
Emma Baike – volunteers with the Development Squad
Alexandrea Macleod – a former swimmer who is a link between Grantown Swim Club and Highlife Highland’s Learn to Swim programme, writing her own sessions
Morag Macleod – coaches with Highland Swim Team and top level 50m Meets in addition to the Senior Competition Squad
Cath Moore – the administrator behind the coaching team, writing most of the schedules; target setting for swimmers; analysing swimmers performance; training new team members; and helping with the running of the committee
Stephanie Macleod – a former competition swimmer currently gaining hours for Level 2 coaching including assisting at meets
Jess Metcalf – a former competition swimmer gaining hours for Level 2 coach and coaching the Development Squad
Rose Ash – former Club coach who organised timekeeping and judging courses along with the annual gala
