Head Coach - Craig McNeil

I started swimming at Trafford Metro Swimming club at the age of 8 and progressed through the four squads. At the age of 10, I was classified as a British Swimming para swimmer, S10, SM10 SB9. This then inspired me to keep swimming and I joined the performance elite squad in Trafford - Swim Trafford.

During my swimming career, I attended several national events, winning several medals including Gold for 400 freestyle at English nationals. Also notable is that I attended British International para swimming championships known as the paralympic trials in 2012 & 2016. I competed against lots of Paralympians and met many international superstars.

While studying at University of Salford, I joined City of Salford Swimming club. During my time at university, I got the opportunity to complete my level 1 coaching qualification.

At the age of 16, I qualified as a timekeeper and followed the path of being a British Swimming official. I am now a qualified official to Judge 2. I have been fortunate enough to learn from many different officials, a number of whom are role models who have attended paralympic games.

I currently sit on the National youth advisory panel, as a volunteer, which is a voice for young people aged 16-25, to improve the sport of aquatics. We feed directly into Sport operations in Swim England at a national level.

My love for the sport continued when I undertook my level 1 & level 2 Swimming Teaching qualifications and got a job within Trafford Leisure. I was offered my own classes at various Trafford sites and in addition dealing with special needs children on a weekly basis.

In terms of my coaching, when Covid hit I felt this was the right time to undertake my level 2 Swimming Coaching qualification. I managed to complete this over lockdown. Over the last five years I have been assisting at Flixton Swim Team and recently have been coaching all different ages and abilities. Upon the return to training, I spent time setting up a talent lane link with the pool operator and improved the club’s membership and developed swimmers from Learn to swim into club swimmers.

Current Qualifications

• Level 2 Swimming Teacher
• Level 2 Swimming Coach
• Apprenticeship in sporting excellence
• RLSS NPLQ
• Level 1 British Triathlon coach
• BSC Hons- Business management and sport
• British Swimming J2 and open water J1

Poolside Assitants

Sandbach Sharks has a number of volunteer poolside assitants working with the Head Coach to help deliver our training sessions. With strong backgrounds in swimming and triathlons, our assitants are able to ensure that our swimmers are well looked after in the pool.

Youth Volunteers

Sandbach Sharks is proud to support our youth volunteers who often help out at our Transition and Skills squad training sessions. Youth volunteers are usually swimmers from our Advanced and Performance squads who have been with the club for a number of years and are able to pass on their knowledge to the younger members. Sandbach Sharks supports any of our swimmers who wish to use volunteering at the club as part of their Duke of Edinburgh Award.