We are very fortunate to have a coaching team that is made up of experienced qualified coaches. Their expertise covers all disciplines of swimming from stroke teaching and correction, starts and turns through all aspects of athlete development both land and water based. They have been consistently producing successful competitive swimmers for many years.
All our coaching team are required to have a thorough understanding of the Trafford Leisure Normal Operating Procedure (NOP) and Emergency Action Plan (EAP). These documents shown at the bottom of this page as downloads are designed to ensure our coaches are fully conversant with safety procedures for the leisure centre and that they understand what to do in the unlikely event of an emergency.
Craig Ward
Head Coach, National Seniors, Inter Regional and Inter Youth Squads Coach
Hi, I'm Craig Ward, a Level 3 Coach and Personal Trainer with over 17 years of experience in coaching swimmers at national and international levels.
Currently, I serve as the Cheshire Coach and Head Coach of Trafford Metro Swim Club, where I have been coaching swimmers for the last 10 years to attain national standards and establish the club in the National Swim League.
I started swimming at a young age and went through the Stockport Metro Club Squads, competing at national level in freestyle and butterfly sprinting. During my teenage years, I began swimming teaching and coaching, completing my Level 1 and 2 teaching qualifications. After coaching at Stockport Metro for 8 years, I spent time in Hong Kong and Australia again coaching and teaching swimmers and developing my skills.
In March 2013, I began coaching with Trafford Metro and was appointed Head Coach in June of the same year. This is my first Head Coach role, and I have been coaching swimmers to attain national standards and establish the club in the National Swim League ever since. I have a range of ideas to develop swimmers and am always willing to learn more about the sport I have grown up with.
In recent years, I have also added to my qualifications by completing a Personal Trainer course. I believe that land training for swimmers is crucial in becoming an all-round athlete and top performance swimmer, and I undertook the personal trainer course so I could train my athletes in the gym.
Bob Bolton
Masters Coach
I first joined Stretford Swimming Club in 1965 and swam and played water polo into my late teens. I still hold the record for 10 years and under 25 yards breaststroke with a time of 20.1 secs. This is probably due to the fact that the old Cyprus Street pool was demolished in 1977!
I returned in the late 1980's to resume my water polo career playing to national league level. I have swum as a master on and off ever since and competed in triathlons as I am also a keen cyclist. I still train and compete to this day and intend to until I am no longer able to do so.
I am a qualified Level 2 teacher/coach and one of only a handful of qualified Level 2 open water coaches in the UK. I am a Swim England Coachtutor delivering the Swim England Level 1 & 2 Coach qualifications and Level 2 Open water coach qualification.
In 2015 I set up Openswim UK based at Sale water park to further open water swimming in the region.
I am a Swim England licensed Official qualified as a Referee and an elected member of the Cheshire WP & SA Executive and hold the position of Masters Secretary and Open Water Secretary for the Cheshire County. I sit on the Masters NW Board of Directors and am the Regional Masters Representative. I have been honoured to have been Manchester & District Water Polo & Swimming Association President on 4 occasions. In 2020 I received the Cherriman Award for outstanding services to the Masters swimming community. I have served on the Trafford Metro Committee since 2007 and I am currently the Club Chairman.
I enjoy coaching some of our younger up and coming swimmers when time permits but my main coaching role at the Club is with the Masters Squad.
Jo Bolton
National Junior Squad, Masters and Masters Fitness Coach
I joined Trafford Metro as a swimmer in 1976 when it used to be known as Sale Swimming Club. I swam competitively until age 20, gaining national times as a breaststroke swimmer every year and I competed at the Olympic trials in 1986.
I swim in our Masters section and still compete with them. I have over the years won national titles for 50m, 100m and 200m breaststroke and broken European and World records as part of the 4x100IM ladies relay team swimming the breaststroke leg. I also swam the English Channel individually in 2023 for charity.
I am a fully qualified Swim England Level 3 Coach and hold a full National Pool Lifeguard Certificate. I have been teaching and coaching swimmers of all ages from toddler to adult since 1985.
I currently coach the National Junior Squad and I have coached many of the other junior squads over the years. I also coach the Masters fitness Group and the Masters Group in the morning sessions.
Dan Walsh
Mini Mets Co-ordinator, JD1, JD2, Senior County and Super Sprint Squad Coach
My passion for swimming kickstarted after joining Trafford Metro as an 8 year old, initially starting with the Mini Mets before progressing into the competitive Junior Squads.
I had many great coaches that instilled qualities of hard work and dedication in the sport. I enjoyed many successes in the pool, winning several Regional titles as well as qualifying and competing at a National Level.
Roll the years on and you'll find me teaching and coaching swimmers of all ages on the poolside - my passion is now my career.
I am a fully qualified Swimming Coach, currently completing my year long Senior Coaching Course with Swim England. I have enjoyed being the lead for the Mini Mets Program over the last 5 years, coaching swimmers in our Junior Squads, supporting the next generation of club athletes.
Chris Tarry
Inter Regional and Inter Youth Coach
I'm Chris! I'm a Level 2 qualified Teacher/Coach with over 20 years experience in competitive swimming.
I joined Altrincham Swimming Club in 2001 as a young swimmer and worked my way through the ranks. During my time as a competitive swimmer, I spent 3 years at Swim Trafford as part of the borough's elite squad. I was lucky enough to have Trafford legend James Guy as one of my team mates during my time at Swim Trafford. I returned to Altrincham after this spell and then completed my coaching qualifications.
During my time studying Sports Science and Bangor University, I continued to commute back to Altrincham every weekend to coach. After university and qualifying as a Primary School Teacher (PGCE) from Edge Hill University. I was appointed Head Coach of Altrincham Swimming Club a position I held for 7 years. During this time I led three overseas swim camps to Spain; coached swimmers to medals at Counties, Regionals and Nationals; coached swimmers to qualify for Olympic trials; guided the team to become North West team of the year in 2019 and runners up for Swim England's Club of the Year. Several swimmers achieved County and Regional records which still stand today.
In 2021, I took the hard decision to step down from my role as Head Coach to spend some time with my young family. Linking up with Trafford Metro is an exciting challenge and I know I share the same goals and ambitions that Head Coach Craig Ward does. My aim is to offer my experience, knowledge to the swimmers and coaching team in order to get Trafford on top of the podium!
Sara Barlow
Mini Mets Coach
Hi I’m Sara Barlow I am a qualified Level 2 Swimming Teacher and have been teaching and coaching swimming for 24 years. I have a Fitness Instructor qualification, am a qualified Sports Therapist and have a BTEC in Sports Science.
I’ve always had a passion for the water and love swimming in the sea. I’ve swam around the Greek islands and Malta on a swim trek holiday which was an amazing experience. I love scuba diving, paddle boarding and bodyboarding.
I was a competitive swimmer competing at National level in 50m Backstroke and took part at the Olympic Trials in 2000. I competed in Triathlons winning the Tatton Park Super Sprint in 2013.
I am delighted to be returning to Trafford Metro. I used to run Mini Mets with my Mother Moira Hampson and coached my own junior squad and Masters fitness (formerly Adult Improvers) until 2014 when I had my first child. I also had my own swim school for 14 years which unfortunately ended during covid when the pool we taught at was shut down. Since then I have been a full time Mother of 3 beautiful children but watching my children in swimming lessons I wanted to get back onto the poolside teaching and I am so happy to be back as part of the Mini Mets Coaching Team.
Sam Corsan
Junior Squads Coach
Hi, I’m Sam Corsan. I qualified as a Level 2 Swimming Teacher in 2019, after having assisted and taught for 3 years. I am also Lifeguard Qualified.
I swam at Horwich Swimming Club as an age group swimmer and have now returned to competitive swimming, after 3 years out, at Trafford Metro.
During my time at Horwich I qualified for County and Regional Championships. I organised and broke two Guinness World Records; in the 100x50m and 100x25m relays. I also enjoy running and triathlon, and completed the London Marathon in 2023, although not very quickly!
I have a passion for teaching which is why I am also looking to qualify as a maths teacher next academic year. I have a range of ideas to develop swimmers and keep swimming fun and engaging for all. I am always looking to learn and develop my own teaching methods in the sport I love.
I am delighted to be part of the Trafford Metro Coaching Team.
Alec Johnson
Masters, Masters Fitness and Junior Squads Cover Coach
I swam at Horwich Swimming Club for 4 years starting when I was 9 and then hung up my goggles for 27 years until I started masters swimming at the age of 40. Since then I have won 5 International titles, broken 3 European and over 30 British records.
I have been coaching all ages from beginners to masters for 20 years.
I don't currently coach a squad, although I have done previously, but I provide cover for absences across the club.
I am a qualified Level 2 Swimming Teacher and also hold a full National Pool Lifeguard Qualification including AED use.
Jing Wu
Assistant Coach JD1 Squad and Mini Mets
Outside my career as an architect, I am a swimming-parent and converted coaching/teaching enthusiast. Between the two very different areas, I find one shared mindset: problem solving.
Initially I qualified as a Swim England Level 1 Teaching Assistant in 2021. I developed greater passion and inspiration in helping junior swimmers in competitive swimming, which led me to switch my training to that of a coach. Subsequently I achieved my Swim England Level 1 Assistant Coach qualification in early 2022.
I mainly assist coaching the Mini Mets and JD1 Squad, where I find my 5 years’ experience and observations of supporting my own children swimming mostly relevant and transferable.
I am thrilled to be part of the TMBSC coaching team and am quickly growing my knowledge base through a combination of learning from senior colleagues and pro-active self-guided learning and reflections.
I also hold other related qualifications such as Timekeeper, Team Manager and NPLQ.
Morgan Corns
Assistant Coach Junior Squads and Mini Mets
Hi my name is Morgan, I am a Level 2 qualified swimming Teacher
I mainly assist coaching the JD2, Inter Regional and Inter Youth Squads and Mini Mets with coaches Dan and Chris.
I joined Trafford Metro in 2019 after I moved to the UK from South Africa and although I have had to stop swimming due to an injury, I am carrying on with my passion by helping other swimmers.
I have been teaching children of all ages and abilities how to swim since January. I hold my National Pool Lifeguard Certificate.
I am excited to be part of the Trafford Metro Coaching Team and to be developing my knowledge and experience by working alongside the clubs very experienced coaches for the benefit of our swimmers.
