Julia Murden

Championship Coach

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In 2009 my then eleven year old son was selected for a pathway development programme in swimming. In plain language that means you have to get up at 5.30 in the morning four mornings a week and train approx twenty hours a week - my son was keen, I was not. I had the normal parent concerns, would he burn out? What would it do to his education? Would I be able to get up at 5.30am four mornings a week?

After a long hard think I decided training twenty hours a week at eleven years old was crazy but I did not want to disappoint my son as he loved to swim. My next step was to try and get him involved in another sport involving swimming, so we tried triathlon but as Will quickly pointed out to me “you cannot swim butterfly in triathlon mum” so that wasn’t to be. In typical mum fashion I said never mind son we will do this together and I will coach you and ten years later here we are.

After starting a club with one swimmer in 2009 I now have a large family, that I call my swimming family. I have met some great people, I love the swimmers I coach and I have had the privilege of working with some great young people. I have developed swimmers from junior swimming all the way through to senior national competition and I am now watching some of our first learn to swim children thrive in a competitive environment.

I have learnt that coaching is about passion about belief and commitment about believing in young people often before they believe in themselves, the results are a joy to witness and be part of.

Squad Rep For Senior Swimmers and Triathletes  - Beth Swanston - Contact - squadreptri@gmail.com

Joe Walsh

Junior Squad Coach

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Having done all my junior swimming in Darlington, I joined Aquajets in 2013 when I moved up to Newcastle University. Since then I have made British Nationals and Senior National Finals.

I qualified as an ACA Chartered Accountant in August 2018 and have worked in London for an extended period of time previously to this. In September 2018 I decided to make the move back up to Newcastle and get back to being more involved in Swimming. From January 2018 I took on the Junior Squad coaching role.

I look forward to helping the juniors to develop into competitive and fast swimmers!

Squad Rep for Junior Squad - Liz Toogood - Contact - squadrepjunior@gmail.com

William Murden

Future Stars Swimming Coach

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I have been in and around the water since before my first birthday and joined a swimming club at the age of 10. My passion for swimming grew in leaps and bounds, reaching the top of the british rankings for my age by the time I was 11. Over the years I have traveled all over Europe to take part in training camps and watch world championship competitions. I have also competed across the country in county, regional and national level competitions. At 18 I went to Stirling University in Scotland where I got the opertunity to train with multiple commonwealth, world and Olympic swimmers. I am currently training with the hopes of making Olympic Trials in 2020.

Squad Rep Future Stars Swimming Programme - Rona Edwards - Contact aquajetsfuturestars@gmail.com

Lucas Lowery

Future Stars Swimming Coach

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I joined Aquajets when I was twelve years old and I am still enjoying my swimming no as much as ever.

Over the years I have made some great friends and had the opportunity to compete all over the country and travel abroad to train.

I wasn't amazing when I started with my swimming but with a lot of hardwork and dedication I have managed to reach the top levels at my sport. I now compete mainly in the sprint events and specialize in 50m backstroke.

I presently study at Sunderland University (Mechanical Engineering) and I am a qualified level two teacher and life guard

It's great to be teaching the young swimmers and I hope the get a much from the sport as it has given me - Just Keep Swimming !

Abbie Parton

Assistant Coach

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I am presently studying at Newcastle University BSc Sport and Exercise Science

I have been active as swimming as sport for a number of years, in 2012 won County Championships in seven events in my age group my main strokes being free and fly.

I have finaled at Regional Championships and National competition in butterfly in 100m and 200m events and I have previously qualified to compete at British Championships (Olympic Trials).

I enjoy being able to pass on my knowledge and experience and making sure that swimming stays a fun and enjoyable experience for all swimmers I coach.

Paul Callender

Development Coach Swim School RGS

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I have been with Aquajets for several years now and I originally became involved as a parent. After helping out with several sessions I soon developed a passion for coaching and teaching. After gaining a coaching qualification, I have been developing the young swimmers of the Development and Junior squads for the past few years. Technique and enjoying the learning process plays a big role in my sessions and my aim is to develop their skills in order to advance them to the next squad and to prepare them for competitive swimming.