Committee

As a family, our introduction to Warrender was an intriguing one- my daughter attending three trial sessions before finally getting the “green” light, affirming her readiness to begin her own journey through Warrender’s established pathway to competitive swimming. The unique level of coaching and guidance received at different stages to date, coupled with the fire inside her and unmatched love for the sport, has seen her progress to the National squad with some very lofty aspirations that she wishes to fulfil. All the while she has made friends in the “Warrender family” that I do believe will last a life time. We have looked to replicate the positive impact Warrender Club and swimming in general has had for my daughter, with our son and although rugby and football daft, there is hope for him yet! Given the fantastic journey my kids have embarked on, I saw it fit to volunteer for one or two of the extramural activities- plus, I like the idea of being called a “Qualified Judge” and escaping the overcrowded spectator galleries. In my previous life, prior to conversion to a “taxi-service” / parent to swimmers, I have and continue to volunteer on rugby club committees. I am a certified chartered accountant and work within the financial services industry for a global bank.

More information to follow.

I first joined Warrender in 2007 after moving to Edinburgh for work. As a former competitive swimmer, I was eager to return to the pool and spent several years training with the Masters section. During that time, I made great friends and even ventured back into racing. While I still enjoy swimming, my focus has shifted toward triathlon, and I’m currently training for my first full-distance event. In 2022, I returned to Warrender, but this time as a swimming parent when my daughter joined Prep Squad. She’s now progressing well through the Development Squads, and it’s been fantastic to see her love for the sport grow. Professionally, I’m a Chartered Accountant specialising in financial planning, reporting, and control. I joined the committee as Treasurer in 2023 and enjoy contributing my time and skills to a club and sport that mean so much to me and my family.

I became involved with Warrender in late 2020 when my eldest son joined Benson. We now have 2 sons working their way through the squads. The club has a rich history and continues to be one of the preeminent sports clubs in the country. I was initially a squad administrator and volunteered to be a Timekeeper. I must have shown some level of competency to have had the privilege to be asked to become Club Secretary. In a past life I enjoyed many competitive sports but with 3 kids I soon learned to enjoy running: a sport I can generally do at anytime and anyplace to fit in with the hectic life of a parent. I mostly love long distance hill running but with the swimming schedule, you are more likely to find me running on the bike paths near a swimming pool these days. I have been a qualified solicitor for 20 years and held similar administrative positions in other clubs. The depth and breadth of Warrender’s squads and teams, from the Prep Squad, to Masters, to Water Polo is mind-boggling. Beyond mere pencil-pushers like myself the efforts of those involved to keep the day to day running so smoothly is mighty impressive.

I have worked at Warrender Baths Club for 13 years, and as Head Coach since January 2009. In 2016, I was appointed to Team GB for the Rio Olympics, the first time a female coach has been appointed to Olympic swimming team staff in Great Britain. This followed senior team staff appointments at the 2013 and 2015 World Championships for Great Britain and the 2014 Commonwealth Games for Team Scotland. I have coached athletes to the 2012 and 2016 Olympic Games, 2008 and 2016 Paralympic Games, 2013 and 2015 World Championships and 2010 and 2014 Commonwealth Games. I have been at the forefront of developing and implementing changes to the Club programme (including splitting our National level squads into gender specific training groups) which have met with great success. I am now overseeing the programme, focusing on areas such as coach mentoring and development, in order to improve our coaching standards and delivery at all levels of the Club.

I joined the Club in 2009, when my eldest started in the development squads. After progressing through the squads she moved to Club squad (now Junior Masters) where she maintained swimming friends and fitness without competing until she left school. My middle daughter progressed to National level at Warrender. I am a qualified solicitor and experienced complaints handler, having worked for the Scottish Legal Services Ombudsman and the Scottish Legal Complaints Commission. In my spare time I’m a volunteer tutor with VTO Scotland.

I became a WBC parent in 2016 when my son joined Benson White and my daughter followed in her brother’s footsteps, joining Benson Blue in 2018. I’ve volunteered as a Timekeeper, Squad Administrator, Judge 1 and Judge 2 Probationer, joining the Management Committee towards the end of 2020. My swimming knowledge is completely theoretical and, as I’ve realised over time, does not translate into practical ability, on the rare occasion I have ventured into the water! Professionally, I have worked within the Financial Services Industry for over 20 years.

Both of my children have been working their way through the club for the last few years. I have enjoyed helping out with time keeping and squad admin and have now been asked to be the lead welfare and protection officer for the club. I have been a GP based in Edinburgh for the past 10 years and have extensive experience in child protection and well being matters.

Despite not being able to swim very well I joined the Water Polo section in 1983 and added Masters shortly afterwards. As my swimming improved I played in some Water Polo matches and took part in both local and international Masters events. Sometime in the early 1990s a fellow Master talked me into becoming treasurer for the Social and Fundraising Committee and I have been involved with the organisation of the club ever since. I worked for Scottish Water until I retired in 2019 and now spend my days cycling, walking and golfing.

I have been a member of Warrender Waterpolo since 2016 after a 22 year playing break. My daughter is also involved in both Warrender swimming and waterpolo. I became waterpolo section Secretary in 2019 and co-Convenor of the in 2020. I am Minutes Secretary of the Scottsih Waterpolo Committee and also help out with an After School Club committee. In my day job I am an atmospheric chemist and environmental scientist, leading a research group at the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology.

President

Vice President

Treasurer

Club Secretary

Head Coach

Pool Hire Convenor / Club Administrator

STO Convenor

Wellbeing & Protection Officer

Masters Convenor

Water Polo Convenor