Meet the Team
Aquaoaks Artistic Swimming Club is run by its coaches and committee, supported by assistant coaches, judges, team managers, poolside helpers and many other volunteers.
Maisie Wright
Coach
Maisie, current head coach at Aquaoaks, started coaching synchronised swimming in 2017. In her time coaching Maisie's swimmers have numerous gold, silver and bronze medals including gold and silver medals at the National Combo Cup 2022. Maisie is a Level 2 Swim England Artistic Swimming Coach.
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Other qualifications include:
- STA Award in Swimming Teaching
- Enhanced DBS Check
- UK Coaching Safeguarding & Protecting Children & Young People
- Safeguarding Deaf and Disabled Children in Sport
- Mental Health Youth Awareness Training
- Level 3 Certificate in Counselling Studies
- RLSS National Rescue Award for Teachers and Coaches
- Swim England Artistic Swimming National Webinars
(Sculling Fundamentals, Flexibility, Extension)
- Swim England Level 2 Team Manager​
ALISON HOOK
Head Coach Team
Alison first started coaching synchronised swimming in 2012 when the club had just five members. Her commitment to synchro has seen the club grow to over sixty members in the last 11 years.
Alison is a Level 2 Artistic Swimming Coach.
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Other qualifications include:
- Level 3 Artistic Swimming Judge
- Enhanced DBS Check
- UK Coaching Safeguarding & Protecting Children & Young People
- Level 2 Swimming Teacher
- RLSS National Rescue Award for Teachers and Coaches
Katie Thomas
Head Coach Team
Katie has been part of the club since 2017.
Katie won 1st place at London Regionals with her team in 2019 and achieved 7th place in the National Combo Cup. Katie is a Level 2 Artistic Swimming Coach and coaches on Friday and Sundays.
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Qualifications include:
- Enhanced DBS Check
- Swim England Figure Grade 2
- Level 1 Artistic Swimming Coach
- Level 1 Artistic Swimming Judge
Claire terry
Coach
Claire started coaching synchro in 2023 and is a Level 2 Artistic Swimming Coach and Level 2 Judge.
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Qualifications include:
- Level 1 Artistic Swimming Coach
- Level 1 Artistic Swimming Judge
- Enhanced DBS Check
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Ros Hilson
Assistant Coach
Ros is making the step to become a synchro coach at Aquaoaks this year after doing artistic swimming with the club in the past. Ros is looking forward to coaching Junior Development Squad and passing on all her tips and tricks. Ros won the Club's Cup for Endeavour in 2019 and achieved 2nd place in the National Combo Cup in 2022. Ros is a Level 1 Artistic Swimming Coach and continues to compete in Aquaoaks Senior Performance Squad and Elite Squad.
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Other qualifications include:
- Enhanced DBS Check
- Swim England Artistic Swimming Figure Grade 4
- Swim England Artistic Swimming Routine Grade 5
- STA Level 2 Award for Safety in Swimming Pools
Gemma grobbelaar
Assistant Coach
Gemma started coaching artistic swimming in 2022. Gemma has been part of the club for several years and continues to compete as part of Aquaoaks' Senior Performance Squad, Senior Duet and Senior Elite Squad.
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Other qualifications include:
- Swim England Artistic Swimming Figure Grade 5
- Swim England Artistic Swimming Routine Grade 5 Silver
Maria chandler
Coach
Maria started coaching synchro in 2023 and is a Level 2 Artistic Swimming Coach .
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Qualifications include:
- Level 1 Artistic Swimming Coach
- Level 1 Artistic Swimming Judge
- STA Level 2 Award for Safety in Swimming Pools
- Enhanced DBS Check
Lucy Sadler
Assistant Coach
Lucy is looking forward to coaching our 12u duets this season. Lucy has been part of the club for seven years and continues to compete as part of Aquaoaks' Senior Performance Squad, Senior Duet, Senior Free Solo and Senior Elite Squad.
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Qualifications include:
- Enhanced DBS Check
- Swim England Artistic Swimming Figure Grade 5
- Swim England Artistic Swimming Routine Grade 5 Silver
- STA Level 2 Award for Safety in Swimming Pools
sarah fitzgerald
Trainee Coach
Sarah is looking forward to coaching our 12u solos and Junior Elite sessions this season. Sarah has been part of the club for five years and continues to compete as part of Aquaoaks' Senior Performance Squad, Senior Free Duet and Senior Elite Squad.
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Qualifications include:
- Enhanced DBS Check
- Swim England Artistic Swimming Figure Grade 5
- Swim England Artistic Swimming Routine Grade 5 Silver
Tara Whitaker
Assistant Coach
Tara is looking forward to coaching our additional figure training sessions this season. Tara has been part of the club for five years and continues to compete as part of Aquaoaks' Senior Development Squad, Senior Elite Squad and Masters Duet, Senior .
Qualifications include:
- Enhanced DBS Check
- Swim England Artistic Swimming Figure Grade 3
- Swim England Artistic Swimming Routine Grade 3
Lotte Hilson
Assistant Coach
Lotte is enjoying stepping into coaching our Sunday performance figure training sessions this season. Lotte has been part of the club for five years and continues to compete as part of Aquaoaks' Senior Development Squad.
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Qualifications include:
- Enhanced DBS Check
- Swim England Artistic Swimming Figure Grade 2
- Swim England Artistic Swimming Routine Grade 3
- STA Level 2 Award for Safety in Swimming Pools
BETTY BLACK
Assistant Coach
Betty is enjoying helping out as a coach for our Mini Development Squad this season. Betty has been part of the club for seven years and continues to compete as part of our Senior Performance Squad, Senior Duet and Senior Elite.
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Qualifications include:
- Enhanced DBS Check
- Swim England Artistic Swimming Figure Grade 5
- Swim England Artistic Swimming Routine Grade 5
Millie Gaskin
Land Training Coach
Millie is looking forward to coaching Aquaoaks' Land training sessions this season. Millie loves helping swimmers gain both strength and flexibility all whilst having fun!
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Qualifications include:
- Enhanced DBS Check
Club Captain
lucy sadler
Lucy was voted Club Captain in September 2023.
A new Club Captain is selected every September by an anonymous member vote. The Club Captain is responsible for making sure everyone feels like a valued member of the team. Talking to them, trying to understand their feelings, supporting them and helping them to get back on track. Club Captains will also help to organise team dinners and other team-building activities.
