We are lucky to have a coaching team comprised of experienced, qualified, and passionate coaches. Their expertise covers all aspects of swimming, from stroke development and refinement, to starts, turns, and 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 have a thorough understanding of the Trafford Leisure Normal Operating Procedure (NOP) and Emergency Action Plan (EAP). These documents, available for download at the bottom of this page, ensure our coaches are fully informed of leisure centre safety procedures and understand what to do in the unlikely event of an emergency.
MEET THE TEAM
CRAIG WARD
Club Head Coach
National and Senior Competition
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I have been Head Coach of Trafford for over a decade, and bring 20+ years of coaching experience to the team. ​I've worked with swimmers from learn-to-train to Age Group squads through to National Level athletes and Masters swimmers.
I competed at National Level myself, and continue to race as a Masters swimmer. My competitive achievements include multiple European Masters relay records with teammates across the 120–160 combined age groups, as well as a European Masters silver medal in the 50m freestyle.
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I am a Level 3 qualified coach and personal trainer, allowing me to combine technical coaching with a strong understanding of strength, conditioning, and long-term athlete development. I focus on creating confident, technically sound swimmers while helping athletes develop discipline, resilience, and a strong work ethic that carries beyond the pool.
JO BOLTON
National Seniors & Masters Morning Coach
I coach the morning Masters squad and the National Senior Squad. I particularly enjoy the challenge of working with the older swimmers in the junior section, encouraging them to be the best they can be. I take great pride in being part of a swimmer’s journey and supporting their long-term development in the sport.
I joined Sale Swimming Club in 1976 and swam competitively until the age of 19, achieving national-standard performances in the 100m and 200m Breaststroke. In 1985, I gained my Swimming Teacher qualification, which marked the beginning of my journey on the poolside. As I became more involved in coaching, I went on to gain my coaching qualification, allowing me to take a more active role in swimmer development.
Over the years, I have worked with many swimmers across a wide range of ages and abilities, helping them master the art of swimming while building confidence, discipline, and a strong technical foundation.
I have been coaching at Trafford for around 20 years, where I continue to support swimmers in achieving their goals, whether that is competitive success, technical improvement, or lifelong enjoyment of the sport.
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SAM CORSAN
Junior Competition and National Competition 1
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I have been teaching swimming since I gained my teaching qualifications in 2017. I started coaching with Trafford near the end of 2023 and went on to gain my coaching qualifications. I used to be a swimmer, competing at County and Regional level as well as Nationals with the Masters squad.
I approach every session with the same aim that I hope all my swimmers do - I aim to have a good time, and to work hard. Through this, we achieve something every session, and this contributes to the overall goal of becoming a better swimmer (and for me, a better coach).
To see swimmers target something, figure out how to get there, put in the work to improve, and experience the elation of their success is amazing to witness.
I am incredibly lucky to be the coach to such an inspiring group of swimmers, all of whom have an excellent support network through family, each other, and across the club. I am also so grateful to work with a group of such creative, passionate, and innovative coaches.
JING WU
Junior Development 1 and Senior County 2
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It all started with my kids' swimming. I soaked myself in water, helping them to build initial confidence and technique basics, shadowing their early years Learn-to-Swim sessions. After they moved into Trafford Metro squads, I spent so much time watching their training (almost spanning four to six years) that I got a lot of observations and ideas of how swimmers actually develop under different coaching methodologies, both technically and mentally.
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So I decided to learn coaching systematically and get qualified in two stages. I've always loved learning new things, and after many years of practising architecture, coaching felt like another way to build something meaningful - just this time, it's people instead of buildings, it's body movement instead of static structures. On this journey, I’ve learnt a lot from my mentors, peer coaches, and even from the young swimmers, whose progresses have given me great satisfaction.
BOB BOLTON
Masters Head Coach
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I joined Stretford Swimming Club in 1965, where I swam and played water polo for about 12 years. I won my first county championship medal in 1971 and was selected for the District (now NW Region). I rejoined Stretford to play water polo in 1987, playing in the Northern League for 3 seasons. In the 90’s I dabbled with Masters swimming alongside bringing up 4 children.
In 2006, I joined Trafford Metro as a coach and finally committed to regular Masters swimming a year later. I’ve coached all squads within our club, but more recently just the Masters, whom I have coached since 2013. It gives me a great sense of pride during sessions when the swimmers just get stuck in during training, working really hard, trying to be their best selves. It can be a hugely fulfilling role, especially when individual swimmers or the club as a whole succeed.
SOPHIE GOTT
Masters Fitness and Youth Development Coach
I have been a part of Trafford Metro all the way through the Club, from Mini-Mets, and now swim with National Seniors.
This club and coaching team are an amazing family to me, we love to have a laugh and train hard to achieve great things.
I’m currently a student aspiring to work within the engineering field. I qualified as a level two swim teacher recently, so I most enjoy the process of learning from others to improve my sessions.
DAN WALSH
Mini Mets Coach
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My passion for swimming began at a young age and grew after joining Trafford Metro at eight, where the sport became a central part of my life. I have benefited from working with knowledgeable and inspiring coaches and continue to compete as a Masters swimmer.
I gained my teaching qualification at 17 and began teaching at Sale LC. After completing my Senior Coaching qualification in July 2023, highlights of my coaching career include being the coach of a national record holder, working at the National Development age group camps and supporting the progression of swimmers across the club as the lead for Mini Mets.
I am passionate about giving back to the sport and helping young swimmers develop their skills, confidence, and potential.
RUBY RILEY
Junior Development 2 and Senior County 1
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Swimming has always been a huge part of my life, having joined City of Liverpool SC and my local swimming club aged 8. In 2017, I began coaching alongside competing and gained my teaching qualifications, which allowed me to begin working as a swimming teacher. In 2019, I moved to Leeds for University and took a hiatus from competing, but continued teaching swimming lessons, alongside coaching two squads at City of Leeds SC. My highlights there include coaching national medalists and gaining my Level 1 coaching qualification.
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In 2024, I moved to Manchester and decided I wanted to properly return to the pool, joined Trafford Masters, and haven't looked back! I'm really enjoying coaching again at Trafford, whilst I complete my masters degree in Architecture. I'm inspired by the amazing talent at the club! My favourite part of being a coach is helping others love the sport as much as I do, and being able to support our athletes in achieving their goals.