Welcome to Sherwood Colliery Swimming Club

Ian Neagus
Head Coach

Sherwood Colliery Swimming Club has a long and successful tradition and I am extremely proud to be the head coach of such a great club.  I see SCSC as a partnership between the club, the teachers, the swimmers and their parents. We are one team striving towards the primary focus of encouraging each and every member to achieve his/her potential as a competitive swimmer whilst at the same time, developing a life-long love of swimming.  We have a strong dedicated coaching team blending youth and experience and we all work hard to deliver quality training sessions for all of our swimmers.
At SCSC we believe that swimmers get out of swimming what they put into it in terms of commitment to training, regular attendance, effort and cooperation; we do our best to motivate and enable swimmers to progress to the highest possible level to fulfil their ambitions.  Rewards for swimmers can come in various forms. However, there are many hidden benefits to becoming involved in swimming. The lessons of commitment and hard work, disappointment and success are essential lessons in life. Swimming can help build self-confidence, fitness, time-management skills and self-discipline that will carry over into life outside the pool. 
We have a dedicated and active Committee, some of whom are current or past parents of club swimmers; and a whole host of volunteers to whom we are indebted. We could not continue as a club without them and I would like to thank them here for their support. 
Finally, we could not have achieved what we have over the years without the unflagging support of the parents who spend their evenings on poolside. Again, your support is very much appreciated.

SCSC (or Team Black and Gold as we are often referred to) is one big swim family and together we create memorable learning experiences that allow us all to reach our swimming goals.

Ivan Colton
Coach

Like many people my route into becoming involved with swimming started by helping out on poolside at my daughters local swimming club. I soon found out that I enjoyed being on poolside and decided to take coaching qualifications, tutored by Bill Furniss, to assist me in helping swimmers achieve their potential. I am also a great believer in tapping into the knowledge of other coaches and how this may help my development and the experience of the swimmers I coach. As they say, every day is a school day.

If you asked me my coaching style I would say firm with a soft edge in one corner. I believe that all swimmers have untapped potential and it is my role to help them unlock that potential through the program I develop and deliver throughout the year and beyond.

As for my personal passions I would have to say a love of running. A leisurely run is a great way to mull things over and clear the mind.

Mark Buczko
Coach

Darren Wood
Coach

When my own children turned 10 years old and decided they wanted to join a swimming club, Dad's Taxi was thrown into full time service. Having no background or history with swimming, five years down the line I've joined the committee, dabbled in fundraising, become a timekeeper and turn judge, welfare officer and now a coach. At every step of the journey, the club has backed myself and all our volunteers, however big or small our contributions. Even though swimming now dominates every waking moment of my family's life, I wouldn't swap it for anything. So proud to be a part of Team Black and Gold.

Lorna Clarke
Coach

I particularly like working with the less experienced swimmers helping to correct their mistakes.  I’ve been a coach for Sherwood since 2007 and got into coaching, like most people, because my daughter is a swimmer.

Bex
Instructor

Hi, I'm Bex and you'll find me teaching on small pool on a Tuesday evening.

My daughter joined Sherwood Colliery in November 2022 and I'd been talking into helping on poolside by early 2023, it didn't take much convincing to be honest.

My bunch are a cheeky lot and they always make me smile; this is why I enjoy teaching them each week.

Hannah Robinson
Coach

After training and competing at Sherwood since September 8, 2016, and swimming with Nova Centurion from 2017 to 2022, I came to understand what a wonderful community this club is. Therefore, in November 2022, I made the decision to use my experience to support the younger swimmers before committing to obtaining my full coaching certification.

If I had not been inspired to strive to be the best coach I could be, I would not have taken this step. My intention is to assist the swimmers of the future in the same way that I was guided in the past.

Even when I am not at the club, I am usually near a pool as I work as a lifeguard at Centre Parcs, so there are always pools nearby! I am always happy to have a conversation, so please know that I will be here if you need anything at all.

Rachel Goward
Coach

Hi, I'm Rachel and I coach Sherwood's Competitive Development Squad.

I started out my poolside life as a spectator of my daughters swim sessions.  I then became a J1, Team Manager and poolside helper, eventually moving on to take my assistant coach (Level 1) and coach (Level 2) qualifications.

The support I have received from Sherwood in achieving this has been fantastic and I encourage anyone with an interest in helping out, to get involved!

Steven Catton
Coach

I’m Steven, a Level 1 & 2 Swimming Teacher, Level 1 & 2 Swimming Coach, and Team Manager. I’ve been involved in swimming since the age of 8, competing at a high level before returning to the sport through my children, who are now competitive swimmers themselves.

I strive to give our swimmers the same positive experiences I had when I was younger and to inspire and guide them on their own journey in the sport.
You may not always see me poolside, but you’ll certainly hear me!