Jon Wills - Head Coach. National Potential Squad and Regional Age Squad Coach
Jon joined Soundwell Swimming Club in April 2012. He was the club's first Assistant Head Coach and in 2015
was appointed Head Coach. He is a former National swimmer from Kelly College and Bath University. Jon is
currently a Level 3 Coach who has completed a BSc Sports Performance degree and is also a qualified personal
trainer, strength and conditioning consultant and sports masseuse. Jon has coached multiple swimmers to
British & English National level during his successful coaching career with Soundwell Swimming Club. He is a
great believer in quality before quantity.
Paul Laughey - County Age and Youth Squad and Regional Potential Squad Coach
Paul became involved with the club through his own children. Initially Paul served on the committee, where he
guided the club to achieving Swim21 status for the first time. He began to help poolside in 2005. Paul continued
to develop his coaching skills assisting with the age group squads alongside previous Head Coach Eric
Henderson and John Scanlon. Paul took over the age group squad in 2009 and since then has helped develop
many swimmers from County to Regional level. Paul is currently a Level 2 coach who has completed an
additional diploma in applied sports psychology. Paul can always be found on poolside at open meets
and championship events assisting with pre and post swim briefings – something Soundwell coaches have
always considered important for all swimmers.
Ashley Barnett - County Development Squad Coach
Ashley is a Level 2 coach and is a vital member of the coaching team. He is lead coach for the junior and
development squads. He also assists throughout the whole club. He was a former Western County qualifier with
the club who still trains and still competes when called upon.
Simon Gale - Competition Skills and Skills Development Squad Co-Coach
Simon has been teaching in our learn to swim programme since 2018, and is a Level 2 swim teacher. Recently
he moved across to coaching with the younger squads. He was a western counties swimmer in his (much)
younger days, and more recently has completed in long distance open water swims such as the Dart 10k and
Brownsea island swim, alongside Iron-distance, and half iron-distance triathlons. He is a keen swim parent too,
with a daughter within the squad system.
Emma Dodd - Skills Development Squad Co-Coach
Emma is a Level 1 swimming coach, and is also our Learn to Swim Co-ordinator. Emma's three children swim at
Soundwell and she is a passionate supporter of the Club. Emma's volunteering work was recognised in 2021
when she was awarded the South West Regional Engagement Innovation award for her fundraising activities
during COVID lockdown. She can be found poolside as co-coach for our Skills Development squad, as well as
supporting our Head Coach with the senior squads.
Poolside Support to Coaches
Alison Dodd
Steve Witcombe