Heart
of Midlothian ASC the "Premier" Swimming Club in Edinburgh
COACHING STAFFWe at Hearts are fully committed to creating a coaching structure that will benefit all the swimming members of the club. This commitment aims to ensure that all coaches are qualified, not only by way of certification, but also by experience, in the sport and of children themselves. The
coaching staff provide a dynamic, friendly and challenging atmosphere,
where swimmers, through their own hard work and dedication, can train
and learn the necessary skills to progress and ultimately reach their
own personal goals and objectives.
The new squad structure and coaching line up is explained here.
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Phil Potter our full time Head Coach has been with the club since October 2001 and has a youthful hunger and passion for success, and is determined to maintain Hearts as Edinburgh's only truly Premier Club and to further our standing in Scottish and British Swimming terms. Phil is squad coach for Group 1 and Group 3.

Phil turned
to coaching upon retirement from competitive swimming in 1999, and after graduating
from the University of Leeds with a BA (Honours) Degree in Physical Education
with Applied Social Sciences, specialising mostly in sports science and coaching
studies. Phil's coaching career began as Assistant Coach at Warrender Baths
Club and during his two years there he coached swimmers to championship and
medal success at ASA Age Groups and SASA National Age Groups, along with numerous
successes at District level, including various East District Record breakers.
Phil is a Former England Junior and Youth Internationalist on 1500 FC and
his 'major' championship honours include the highlights of becoming ASA National
17/18 Champion and Open Silver medallist for the 1500 FC in 1995. He also
swam 400 FC and 200 Fly at high level while swimming under GB Olympic Coach
Paddy Garratt at York City Baths Club.
Please contact Phil on 07930 528174 or eMail
Cheryl Calder performs the role of TEAM 2012 and Agre Group Training Squad coach following a glittering personal career in the pool and looking after JAG for the past couple of years. Cheryl brings a wealth of knowledge and unlimited enthusiasm to this important post and combines her considerable duties with her main occupation of primary level teaching. Her own swimming career saw her pick up medals at Scottish National level and dominate sprint freestyle within the East District and she now looks to make a similar success of all the swimmers she coaches.

Zoe Gray - Group 4 Lead Coach - As a fully qualified swimming teacher, Zoe spent 11 years coaching at Midlothian Swimming Club, and now wants to share the knowledge she gathered there with the younger Hearts swimmers in order to give them a solid grounding in the basics of competitive swimming, and the chance to succeed at their level. Zoe works with children in her everyday job at Lasswade High School (therefore she knows ALL the tricks!!!). Zoe also has a daughter who swims for Hearts.

Robert Rae - Group 5 Lead Coach provides an excellent introduction into the world of swim training, which has resulted in many swimmers moving successfully upwards to the higher groups. Robert has been coaching for 8 years - in that time going from strength to strength and is always on the lookout for new methods of coaching/teaching swimming technique and training. He has had three children involved in the club in the past, and balances his coaching and parental commitments with a job at a Fisheries Company.

In addition to the above coaches, we are very fortunate within the club to have a band of up-and-coming youngsters who have gained qualifications, which enable them to act as coaches and lifeguards. These older swimmers have benefited from their connections with the club and it is nice to see them giving something back to our younger swimmers.