The coaching team

‘I am excited to be appointed as the new head coach at Bishop’s Stortford Swimming Club. I’m delighted to share that Darren Tucker and Ashley Bygraves will also be joining the existing coaching team. Together we look forward to creating a successful future for BSSC. We can’t wait to get started and meet everyone in March.’

Jamie was the assistant head coach at Dunmow Atlantis for 5 years, and was coaching there for 10 years.  A keen swimmer himself and also someone who has competed at all levels as a youngster, Jamie brings a wealth of experience to the club. He also works as a coach at Bishop’s Stortford College and will continue with that role as he takes up the head coach duties for BSSC.

I have been a member of this swim club since 2010. I am (was) a Regional level breaststroke swimmer, mostly competing in the 50 & 100m distances. I also competed for Hertfordshire at the 2016 Inter Counties Division 1 competition.

When I finished Uni, in 2020, I wanted to go straight into work using my degree, so when Benoit asked if I would like to help coach and assist with a few of the squads, I jumped at the opportunity, and have upped my involvement ever since. I now have responsibility for a handful of squads and competitions, such as having taken the lead in our youngsters’ Peanuts adventures last year!

Outside of swimming I am a huge sports fan, being a fan of the only football team worth supporting, Arsenal, as well as having interests in any sport that is on the tele at the time.

Darren was a national swimmer himself and has decades of experience coaching at all levels. He was assistant head coach at Harlow Penguins and more recently was the head coach at Dunmow Atlantis for 8 years until deciding to take a step back at the end of last season. Darren is a legend amongst his swimmers, and we look forward to him building that relationship at the club.

‘I’m really looking forward to meeting the team and all the swimmers and working with you all for a successful future, exciting times ahead team.’

Ashley has coached at an extremely high level all his life, initially focussing on swimming where he worked with James Gibson and also helped coach the GB Paralympic hopefuls. He then broadened his coaching to take onboard Water Polo as well as swimming where he coached multiple players to the GB team. He is head coach at Bishop’s Stortford College, a role he will continue to hold whilst he integrates some BSSC coaching duties.

‘I am thrilled to join Bishop’s Stortford Swimming Club’s coaching team and look forward to an exciting and successful future together. I am eager to meet everyone in March and begin this new chapter.’

I’ve been involved with BSSC over five years first as a parent helper and now as a coach. I was brought up in Sri Lanka, and when I was 10 I saw some guys diving off the college diving boards – I so wanted to do it! One massive problem, I did not know how to swim! Within a few weeks, I learned how to do the doggy paddle and my diving career started from there. In a space of six months, I made it to the collage diving team.

At age of 13 I made the cut to represent Sri Lanka and made it to the National diving squad. Since then I represented Sri Lanka in competitions in Asia Pacific Region and in Asian games until the age of 19. I was drafted to the squad to represent Sri Lanka in diving for the Commonwealth games in 1998 and the Olympics in 2000.

Now in my 40s I’m still trying to re live my childhood dream of playing competitive cricket. However, now I represent my local cricket club in Sawbridgeworth as a player and as a coach in the summer. As some of you may have seen me on the pool deck or on the cricket pitch, I am passionate in what I do and take my life experiences and knowledge into my coaching to help a young person achieve their fullest potential.

BSSC is delighted to welcome Matt Banham to the coaching team.

Head Coach Jamie McLaughlin said: “We are excited to announce that Matt Banham will be joining the coaching team. He will primarily be working with the Age Group Squads, bringing great enthusiasm, energy and experience to the team.”

About Matt: Masters Champion and British record holder

Matt is delighted to be joining the team. He comments:

“After taking a 25-year break from coaching, I have decided to return, driven by my passion for developing future champions. BSSC is a club clearly on the rise, and I am both thrilled and honoured to join the team.

My own journey in the sport has seen me become a National Masters Champion and British Record holder—though I must admit, my 200 fly isn’t quite what it used to be.

I am eager to return to the pool deck and help shape the next generation of talented swimmers. I have previously coached swimmers at all levels, up to and including National Age Group Champions.

I can’t wait to get started and see what we can achieve together.”

Many of you already know Graham from his officiating roles at many of our meets, and he continues to provide us with his coaching expertise.  

Amy has recently re-joined the club as a coach. She will be focusing on the younger swimmers, where she has already made a big impact.

Jakey has made a huge impact at the club as Club Captain, and is developing as a very promising junior coach.