Coaches and Trainers

Coaches and Trainers

Under the direction of chief coach Alex Morgan, Thurrock Swimming Club has a whole team of  qualified coaches and teachers.  TSC also has even qualified lifeguards and a number of people who are qualified ASA Helpers.  Read on to find out all about our dedicated team.

 Coaching Team

Alex Morgan, FIST, CC, ASA Club Coach

Alex has been chief coach at TSC for 7 years and under her direction the club has achieved great success, winning top club at the Essex Championships in 2004 and 2005 and training many swimmers right up to national medal winning level.  As well as leading the coaching team at TSC and organising all aspects of the swimming training, Alex has dedicated much of her spare time to developing swimming throughout Essex.  Since 2002 has been the Essex County Swimming Coach and is also the Essex County Development Plan Manager. Alex also has the Red Cross Emergency Treatment for Sports Injuries Certificate and well as the ASA National Rescue Test for Teachers and Coaches.

Gary Couch, FIST, CC, ASA Club Coach

Gary was appointed at the same time as Alex in the position of Assistant Coach.  Gary is also an elected member of the Essex Executive with Alex and a active member of the Essex Swimming Committee.  He has over 20 years experience as a swimming coach, training swimmers to National medal winning level, and before he came to TSC he was the chief coach at Dagenham Swimming Club.

Paul Hayes, F.I.O.S, F.I.O.S(CC), ASA Club Coach

Paul is a qualified ASA Teacher and Club Coach.  He is one of the teachers of the Swim Academy and Friday Night Swim School.  In addition to his teaching qualifications, Paul is a qualified lifeguard and trained first-aider.  He was elected as an executive committee member of the Essex County ASA in December 2002 and has been Masters secretary since 2001.

Paul is also known for his personal swimming successes, as one of TSC's Masters swimmers.  Paul has won titles and medals at Essex and Regional level as well as holding many National top ten rankings.

Debbie Grix FIST, CC, ASA Club Coach

Debbie Grix first qualified as an ASA swimming teacher, before progressing to pass her ASA Club coaches exams.  She has the certificate for ASA National Rescue Test for Teachers and Coaches.  Debbie work with Alex and Gary at Killerwhales and their coaching partnership goes back nearly 10 years.  She is now assistant coach with Thurrock SC but also teaches learn to swim at club nights on a Friday night. Debbie organised and is team manager for our Junior Speedo League team. Debbies best swimming experience to date is being part of the winning county championship team for two years, working with an excellent team of coaches and volunteers.

Claire Moore FIST, CC, ASA Club Coach

Claire was a National Standard swimmer in her time, and took that experience to gain her teachers and coaches qualifications.  She has the ASA National Rescue Test for Teachers and Coaches certificate.