Meet The Team
Katie Mills - Manager and Teacher
Katie started swimming for Poole Swimming Club at the age of 10 years old. She swam competitively for the club/county and also medalled multiple times at regional level. Her biggest achievement was reaching Nationals 4 times and in 2014 winning Bronze there. Katie was also Club Captain for 4 years running.
Whilst competing, Katie began volunteering to help teach the Star groups at the age of 14. After completing her teaching courses and Judge 1 award, Katie began teaching small groups which led on to her becoming the lead coach for Bronze.
Katie completed university with a 1st class Honours Degree in Applied Sports Science as well as completing her Level 5 Diploma in Sports Massage and Level 2 Gym Instructors Award.
In September 2017 Katie started to teach for Poole Swim Academy (Poole Swimming Club’s Learn to Swim Program). Katie now runs the program across 4 days, whilst continuing to Lead Bronze Squad.
Gail Nuttall - Manager and Teacher
Gail has been voluntarily running and teaching at the academy since she set it up in 2014. She volunteers at Poole Swimming Club and has coached children of all ages and abilities for many years. Many of the teachers at the academy were coached at the club by Gail.
Ben Porter - Teacher and Poolside Coordinator
Ben was one of our original 3 teachers and has now volunteered for Poole Swimming Club and Poole Swim Academy for over 6 years. Ben started swimming at Poole Swimming club when he was 7 and competed at a Regional level. Ben is an ASA level 2 qualified teacher and also a NPLQ qualified lifeguard. He is currently studying Sports Therapy at University.
Jacqui Hull - Teacher and Poolside Coordinator
I started swimming from an early age & swam as a child with Hartlepool Swimming Club and I was also in the Life Saving Club. As an adult I still carried on swimming within the Dorset Police Swimming & Lifesaving Team. I currently teach all ages at the club including the Silver Squad & Teach at Poole Swim Academy. I also help Barry coach the Open Water Swimmers. In my spare time I also swim & compete at Open Water Events.
Jacob Dunning - Teacher
Jacob has worked for the academy since March and is a qualified STA teacher. He volunteers at Poole Swimming Club 3 days a week and loves teaching children to swim. Jacob swims in the Poole Swimming Club fitness squads and is currently taking his A-Levels.
Ella Godfrey - Teacher
Ella began as an assistant teacher back in 2015, after swimming in the club herself since she was 9 years old. Since then she has gone on to gain her STA certificate to become a qualified swimming teacher. Ella enjoys teaching all ages and abilities of swimmer.
Tannya Godfrey - Teacher and Poolside Coordinator
Tannya began teaching at the academy in January 2018. She gained her level 1 STA award making her a qualified teacher in July. Tannya has 17 years’ experience working with children as she works in the NHS as a community nursery nurse. She loves teaching children to swim and especially enjoys seeing the young swimmers swim on their own for the first time!
Kieran - Teacher
Ellie Eaton - Teacher
Ellie began swimming herself at an early age and started teaching at Poole Swim Academy in March 2019 after completing her STA swimming teaching award. Since then Ellie has loved teaching children of all ages and abilities to swim. She is currently working towards her aim of becoming a primary school teacher.
Kira - Teaching Assistant
I started swimming at a young age and I have always loved swimming. I began volunteering for Poole Swim Academy in November 2019 and I really enjoy helping the children learn to swim. I swim in the fitness squad in the club and I am currently working towards my grade 7 ballet.
Becca - Teaching Assistant
I started Poole swimming club when I was 10/11 and went on to competed at county level.
Before I came teaching at Poole Swim Academy I was coaching the younger ages in Poole swimming club.
I have been volunteering since 2017 at Poole Swim Academy as a teaching assistant.
Aaron - Teaching Assistant