Coaches
Head Coach – Graham Begley
I joined City of Hereford Swimming Club following ten months as Head Coach at Milngavie & Bearsden Swimming Club in Scotland. Prior to that, I was Head Coach at Evesham Swimming Club, giving me a strong understanding of Worcestershire County Swimming and the competitive pathway within the region. I have been coaching since 2017 and hold the Level 3 Senior Swimming Coach qualification.
My swimming journey began in the late 1980s at Evesham Swimming Club before progressing to Gloucester City Swimming Club, where I represented Gloucestershire County ASA. In 1993 and 1994, I qualified for the National Age Group Championships, competing in the 100m Butterfly and 100m Backstroke.
I am passionate about creating an environment where every swimmer has the opportunity to achieve their full potential, regardless of their starting point. While success in the pool through medals and personal bests is rewarding, I believe the greatest achievements often come from developing resilience, determination, confidence, teamwork and lifelong friendships. These qualities extend far beyond swimming and help young people succeed in all aspects of life.
As a coach, I set high standards while providing the support and encouragement needed for swimmers to step outside their comfort zones and embrace new challenges. Swimming is an ever-evolving sport, and I believe it is essential to continually adapt coaching practices and monitor each swimmer’s individual development to ensure they continue to progress.
I am proud of what has been achieved throughout my coaching career and I am excited to continue building on that success at City of Hereford Swimming Club. My aim is to help every swimmer enjoy the sport, develop as individuals and achieve the very best they are capable of, both in and out of the water.
Water Polo Liason Officer – Dave Cash
waterpolo@herefordswimming.club
Self-confessed water polo nut! First played the sport in 1975 in the West Midlands. Fell into coaching as there was no youth set up in Hereford for my daughters. The swimming club incorporated water polo again in 2013 and since then we have coached skills and signposted players to be the best they can be. We have Great Britain and Welsh internationals, National Academy members and Regional players who all started their water polo journey in Hereford as well as players who have become qualified coaches.
You don’t have to be a great swimmer, just loving team sports is enough. We cater for all ages including parents!! Give water polo a try…..you know you want to!
Our Committee
Chair – Chris Wilson
chair@herefordswimming.club
Like many of you, my involvement with the club started simply by sitting poolside supporting my children. Before long, I found myself helping at competitions, volunteering at events, and lending a hand wherever I could. Those small jobs gradually grew into becoming Meet Coordinator and Promoter.
As Chair, my aim is simple: to help ensure the club continues to thrive for many years to come.
Vice Chair – Vacant
Club Secretary – Amalka Woodall
secretary@herefordswimming.club
I have been secretary for the club since June 2023. After spending so much of my time watching my son Sebastian train and compete, I decided to take a more active role. I love seeing how the club functions and being part of a hardworking team that pulls great Swimming Galas and events. It is also a great way to meet like-minded parents.
I have never been much of a swimmer but seeing how much fun the kids have and cheering on the Hereford City Team has given me the push I needed to improve my own swimming.
If you want general information, you are welcome to email me.
Membership Secretary – Laura Perrott
membership@herefordswimming.club
My son Finn has been a member of the club for just over 12 months and is absolutely loving his swimming journey so far, progressing well with his training and having the opportunity to enter many competitions being lucky enough to be selected for the Wyvern league, SwimGainz and Arena league meets.
I am a qualified secondary school PE teacher by trade and have just taken voluntary redundancy from a job of almost 20 years up in Telford, so I hope that some of my skills might come in useful for this role. I love sports of all kinds and am a keen skier I hope I can provide the club good organisational skills as well as a good communicator to all members new and old.
Welfare Officer – Katherine Byron
welfare@herefordswimming.club
Hello….my name is Katherine Byron-Daniel and I am your new welfare officer for the club. My daughter (Matilda, AGP) has been a member of the club for approximately 18 months and since joining her love for swimming just keeps on growing and now our lives revolve around training and the next competition! We have seen over this time how much swimming has benefitted her in so many ways and as she loves it so much, I thought it was time to give something back to the club. I live near Ross on Wye with my husband and son (who is less keen on swimming!) and therefore you will mostly find us at the Ross pool during the week.
I am clinical psychologist working in mental health services in NHS so I hope that some of my skills might come in helpful for this role. I hope I can provide a good listening ear to any concerns as well as helping find solutions and resolve any problems. When I am not working or taxiing Matilda to swimming, I have a passion for running and can happily talk about this for a long time with anyone! Please do come and say hello if you see me pool side and please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any welfare concerns.
Treasurer – Matt Davies
treasurer@herefordswimming.club
I’m a mum of two swimmers and enjoy swimming myself although I’m not great at it. I’ve been running my own business (Aconbury Sprouts) for the past 12 years where I gained a wide range of skills which can be useful for the club. As a child I loved counting my pennies so I became a qualified accounting technician, I will be happy to support the club as Treasurer.
Open Meet Coordinator – Sam Brown
promoter@herefordswimming.club
I am Sam, a Level 1 swimming coach with the club, soon to be starting my Level 2 coaching qualification towards the end of September. I have been a swimmer with the club since at least 12 years through the squads in Ross. Now I swim as a part of the Ross Masters squad aiming to achieve a Short Course British Masters time at some point…
Alongside volunteer coaching on Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays.
Workforce Coordinator – Jayne Hayde
workforce@herefordswimming.club
My daughter started at CoHSC when she was just seven years old. She was advised by her pediatrician that she should swim more regularly due to being born with developmental hip dysplasia… fast forward a few years and she is now in the AGP squad training several times a week as well as competing regularly.
After spending so much time poolside I wanted to help in any way possible, initially volunteering as a land training coach for junior squads and then later as a poolside assistant. I have since done my J1 and Team Manager qualifications as well as volunteering on the committee as the club Workforce Coordinator. I enjoy helping at Meets and meeting new people. We are always looking for new faces to join our friendly team of volunteers and I am always available to contact if anyone would like to find out more about the volunteer roles we have at the club.
Competitions Secretary – Owen Lloyd
competitions@herefordswimming.club
I am an Assistant Head Teacher at a local secondary school. My main subject is PE, however, I do more paperwork than teaching now!!
My son Ollie (9 years old) joined the club just over a year ago and absolutely loves it. He has made huge progress under Graham’s coaching and has been fortunate enough to be selected to represent the club at SwimGainz, the Wyvern League, and the Arena League.
People may recognise me from coaching poolside and officiating at Meets & Galas (Get involved if you can, its actually great fun and a fantastic opportunity to ‘learn’ swimming).
Outside of swimming I am a keen sportsman and budding triathlete, completing Long Course Wales and Ironman Wales this year, always happy to talk about these!
I think I’m pretty approachable so please stop me and say hello if you have any questions about entries or competitions, according
to my wife I love a chat!!
Sponsorship Coordinator – Dai Hamer
partnerships@herefordswimming.club
We have been with the club around 2 years, I have 2 boys who swim here, we have been with other clubs but City of Hereford is where they have settled in exceptionally well. Great atmosphere amongst the swimmers and the parents.
I got involved within the first 6-8 months poolside at our Galas volunteering and enjoyed helping the swimmers of all ages.
Now helping to raise funds through sponsorship and grants to improve our club is very important to keep us moving forward.
Coach Liason Officer
I’ve been a member of the club since 2016 when my eldest son joined. I’ve been in the membership role for about 8 years.
I’ve not got a background in swimming but have always enjoyed getting involved. I’ve trained as an official, a team manager and more recently as a coach. Coaching poolside has been a great way to get to know our swimmers better while being able to support their training.
Volunteer Opportunities
Find out more about Volunteering