Our Coaching staff

Head Coach - Mike Wilson

Profile.

Started swimming as a nervous five year old at Preston Swimming Club and was fortunate enough to win medals of varying colours in several events with my main achievements at Lancashire and Regional competitions.

Lancashire Champion 11 - 17 in 100 and 200 Breast Stroke

Regional Champion 11 - 17 100 and 200 Breast Stroke

Although qualified for National Championships since the age of 11 in other events such as 200IM and 400IM my main achievements were:

National Finalist 13 yrs - 17 yrs best place 5th in 200 & 13 yrs to 15 yrs best place 8th.

Started teaching and Coaching at Preston Swimming Club whilst still an elite swimmer with Gallica Swimming Squad under Dave Evitts and then Olympian Robert Greenwood. I stopped swimming at 18yrs old and increased the amount of involvement in the teaching and coaching program at PSC and various swimming teaching programs. I arrived at Pioneer79 in March of 2010 as Assistant Head Coach and took up the position of Head Coach in 2011.

My coaching philosophy is to develop independent and intelligent athletes that can work with the coach and have the confidence in their ability to stand on the block when a coach can have no more involvement and deliver a lifetime best performance not only on the stopwatch but also technically.  One thing that will stick through my coaching career - There is no substitute for hard work but mentally and physically, no matter how talented you are the harder worker will always be more successful.

Main Qualifications in Coaching.

MA (Hons.) Sports Coaching (In progress)

Level 3 Swimming Coach

1st Class BA (Hons.) in Sports Coaching

Level 3 Personal Training, Level 3 Advanced Resistance Training, Level 3 Advanced Training Systems, Level 3 Nutritional Advisor, Level 3 Massage.