European and British swimmer, Selena Burgess has been appointed as the new head coach at Bramcote Swimming club. Selena replaces Tom Wilkinson who is leaving to take up a county-level coaching position with the Nottingham county squad, Nova Centurion. Selena is delighted to be joining Bramcote:
“Between the ages of 10-14 I competed at a national level and achieved silver medals at National Age Groups aged 14,15 and 16. I was also invited to take part in the 1996 Olympic Trials. After competing at the European Junior Championships in 1997, I joined Nova Centurion in 1998 and made the British Senior Team for the first time in 1999.
Tom Wilkinson has made a huge contribution to building such a thriving swimming team at Bramcote and his shoes will be difficult to fill.
My particular emphasis will be to develop the technique of our talented swimmers. Technique is the most important factor in developing young swimmers. If technique is right then speed will naturally come. This is the philosophy I plan to bring to my new coaching role at Bramcote.”
Bramcote has undertaken a significant number of developments over the last two years: a summer swim camp was organised in Germany in 2009 for 40 swimmers; the Bramcote Open Meet is now in its third year and several new Invitational events have seen increasing levels of support. The annual Bramcote Club Championships is now a licensed meet running on BAGCATS principles.
Throughout last year Bramcote swimmers have secured places in GB national squads, English Schools, and County squads. The Club received the Swim 21 accreditation – a national accreditation and quality mark. The senior team has just been promoted to the Arena National League Division 1 as Division 2 Champions.
Andy Thornton, Chair of Bramcote Swimming Club, said:
“We are sad to see Tom leave us to take up his coaching position with Nova Centurion as he has helped to create a vibrant squad. However, this is natural progression for Tom and at Bramcote we aim to develop our coaches as well as our swimmers. I am very pleased to announce that Selena has now joined us to help drive the club even further forwards in its development.”
Selena achieved a first class honours degree in Sport Science at Nottingham Trent University in 2004. She is a teacher of Science and Psychology at Redhill Secondary School in Arnold. She is a Level 2 Swimming Coach and is currently progressing though her Level 3 coaching qualification. Although she no longer swims competitively she still swims regularly to stay fit. Selena completed her first triathlon in September 2009 and will be doing the 3 peaks challenge in April 2010 for a school charity.
Andy Thornton
Chair