Our Coaches and Teachers

It is with immense pride and enthusiasm that I step into the role of your head coach. Together, we embark on a journey of excellence, determination, and camaraderie, as we strive to push the boundaries of our abilities and make a lasting impact on the swimming community.

I've been an ONB member since 2001. I have fond memories of spending weekends with other swimmers from the county, including COSC swimmers. We would participate together in events like intercounties, open meets, and Championships. As my coaching career progressed, I had the opportunity to lead the ONB team as the Head Coach during camps and competitions, guiding swimmers from all the teams within.

It is my belief that a club is not simply a team, but a family united by our love for the water and the pursuit of athletic greatness. I am committed to fostering an environment of inclusivity, support, and growth, where each and every member can flourish both as athletes and as individuals. Together, we will create a culture that encourages teamwork, sportsmanship, and unwavering dedication to our craft.

As your head coach, my vision is to propel this club to new heights of achievement. We will set ambitious goals, both individually and as a team, and work relentlessly to surpass them.

Swimming is not solely about competition; it is also a lifelong journey that instills discipline, resilience, and character.

Qualifications:
- ASA Level 1 & 2 Certificates for Teaching Swimming

- ASA – UKCC Level 3 Coaching Swimming

- Sports Coach UK Good Practice and Child Protection

- First Aid in Sport Certificate

- Safeguarding & Protecting Children
- Former Berks & South Bucks and Oxon & North Bucks Chief Coach
- England Programmes Phase 1 & 2 Coach over numerous years
- England Programmes Pathway Development Coach Program 2018 Member
- UK Coaching Focus Program 2022-23 Member

I am the Head of Age coach. I typically work with swimmers aged between 10 to 14 years old, who compete at local, county, regional and national competitions.

I started my coaching career with the City of Liverpool Swimming Club, where I spent 7 years. Feeling I had achieved all I could with the club it was time for me to take on a new challenge and test my skills here in Oxford!

Qualifications:
- Swim England Assistant Swimming Coach
- Swim England Swimming Coach

Further Education
- BA in Sports Development
- MSc in Sports Coaching

Additional Qualifications
- Level 2 Swimming Coach
- Level 2 Swimming Teacher
- Level 1 Triathlon Coach

I went to the university of Education in Slovakia specializing and earning myself a degree on physical education. Up till 22 years old I was playing semi-professional Volleyball for 15 years while also swimming for the University of Presov in Slovakia. when I arrived at UK in 1998 I took the opportunity to follow my passion in sports and become a Level 1 Football coach managing an under 10s girls for Kidlington while working in the Swimming industry volunteering for the Leisure Centre in Kidlington.

With my kids being part of swimming clubs and learning to swim at a young age I was inspired to take a qualification in swimming becoming a level 2 Swimming Teacher as well as Level 1 Assistant Coach. This started off my journey as later I started working for many private swim schools and sports centres developing the knowledge I gained, while taking in every feedback and applying it to my future lessons. My desire just kept growing for swimming, so I started looking and landing myself a spot to coach for Kidlington swim club in 2016 working with them for 3 years as Level 2 Coach. 2019 I got offered to help work with the youth squad for Didcot Barramundi Swimming Club while also filling in as a coach for City of oxford swim club when needed, slowly stepping up the ladder.

Since then, I’ve loved working in the swimming industry with all ages and abilities ranging from young babies to adults. I was also proud to be part of the “Oxfordshire active and good boost” working on rehabilitation and skills in the water. Further down the line I qualified for level 2 open water coach advancing as an independent swimming instructor opening my very own business “Mata swim”.

Overall, my succession, dedication and willingness to understand swimming to a greater aspect helped me spread my own knowledge to many people’s lives showing active support, encouragement and building strong relationships, receiving lots of positive feedback which motivates me to carry on.

Qualifications:

-Swim England Swimming Teacher L1-2
- Swim England Coaching swimming 1-2
- Swim England Open water swimming 2

St Athan Swimming Club was my local swim club, based on a military site in South Wales (later to merge with Cardiff). In my teens I moved to the local SLSA club and began sea swimming and competing locally and nationally. I loved the social element of the club and began teaching the youngsters and working the summers as a Surf Lifeguard.

After graduating from Art College and spending many years working and teaching in the arts I came back to the water and observational training and creative thinking have been a surprising bonus to my swimming coaching abilities!

I joined the City of Oxford swimming coaching team in 2020 and took over the running of the Rising Stars (entry level) squads, in 2021. This has a talent development focus, working on stroke efficiency with an introduction to competitive skills and their first experiences of racing.

The philosophy of Rising Stars is a nurturing and friendly environment where the swimmers work hard and see progressions every week and as a result our retention of swimmers is nearly 100%.

I am also a TriFit Coach at Nuffield, a freelance School Swimming Instructor at University Pools, and I run an open water swimming group.

Qualifications:
Swim England Level 2 Teacher
Swim England Level 2 Coach
STA Level 2 Open Water Coach

I began swimming for a club when I was 10, for Bethnal Green Sharks before moving to water polo, playing for Hackney and Haringey in north east London. I am now Vice Captain of the Brookes water polo team and studying Motorsport Engineering at University.

I also work within a safety team at West Reservoir Centre coordinating open water swimming and have recently received my Open Water Coach Qualification alongside my Level 2 Teaching Qualification.

My name is Megan Smit, I’ve been coaching rising stars for about 2 years now on top of helping out with the swim school lessons and some of the older competitive squads. I swam with the club from the age of 8, reaching my biggest national achievements in the long distant events with my personal favourite memory being a medal at the Swim England Summer Championships.

Rising Stars have always been a joy to work with and watching them move up the levels is extremely rewarding as their coach. I now study geography at University and have put some swimming skills into waterpolo and can hopefully teach the kids some new experiences.

I started swimming when I was very young, my Dad taught me in my back garden. I started competitive swimming at my local club when I was 11 and around the age of 14 I transitioned into Triathlon where I could do all three of my favourite sports in one! I started coaching when I was 16 and became a swim teacher when I was 18. I am so excited to be joining the Rising Stars team and I hope to inspire the swimmers to fall in love with the sport too!

My swim journey began when I was eight years old when I started swimming at Corby Amateur Swimming Club, reaching regional level in breaststroke. However, I have only recently started my coaching career when I became a coaching assistant for the Masters squad last summer. The City of Oxford Swimming Club saw my potential and offered to support my Level 1 Assistant Coaching qualification and I hope to soon be completing my Level 2 Swim Coaching qualification.

I became a volunteer for COSC to create a partnership with Oxford Brookes University Swimming Club and COSC, and it has seen me coach all the squads within COSC. Recently I worked with Rising Stars Gold and I was hooked! Now I am enjoying having my own squad and helping them succeed in their swimming careers.

Having taught swimming for many years around the county, I continue to share my passion and enthusiasm to all swimmers and teachers alike.

My aim is to inspire everyone to learn to swim so they too can enjoy this wonderful pastime. Swimming is not only a skill for life but offers health benefits too and can be enjoyed by all through many other aquatic activities.

Happy swimming everyone!

Qualifications:
ASA Level Pre-fundamentals Teaching in Swimming
ASA Level 1 & 2 Teaching Swimming and Coaching
Rookie Life Guard Instructor
Swim England Fully Insured Member
Fully Licensed British Swimming Official
First Aid at Work and AED
National Rescue Award for Swimming Teachers and Coaches
Safeguarding Adults and Children
STA swimming CPD's

My name is Bekka Smit, I’ve been a swim teacher for almost a year now. I swam competitively with the club for 8 years, reaching national level at the swim England national competition. I love to teach all stages and enjoy passing on my passion and knowledge of swimming to children of all ages and abilities. My aim is that children enjoy my sessions and have fun whilst at the same time learning an essential life skill.

I began swimming competitively at the age of 12, and not long after moved to my now home club, Eastleigh, at 14, where I reached regionals when I was 16. I now swim competitively again for Oxford Brookes after a year out, where I have regained my love for swimming!

I started volunteering as a swim assistant at my home club when I was 14 and I found a love for teaching, and I went on to complete both my ASA Level 1 & Level 2 qualifications at 16 & 17. Teaching is the most rewarding job to have, and I always enjoy it!

Biography Coming Soon.