OUR COACHING TEAM
DIRECTOR OF SWIMMINGTERRY DAVIES
We welcomed Terry Davies, our Director of Swimming to the club in 2024. Terry brings an undisputed wealth of experience having coached at Olympic level and coaching a number of swimmers to take medals.
His exceptional career spanning over 50 years brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise and is the key to our new competitive training plan. Terry was also the founder of the famous Mount Kelly College swimming centre and lead coach in setting up the Paralympic Swimming Squad from 1980-1992.
Terry was awarded a place in the British Swimming Coaches Hall of Fame of Olympic Gold Medal Coaches.
HEAD COACHTOM OSBORN
Tom started volunteering as a coach around three years ago and is a qualified Level 2 Swimming Coach. His connection with the club goes back much further, having swum with HHSC as a teenager.
Tom leads our Junior Squads, supporting swimmers as they develop their skills, confidence and competitive experience. He also works closely with our wider coaching team to ensure swimmers progressing into the upper squads receive consistent support and the best possible opportunities to develop and reach their potential.
Having always enjoyed developing his technique, getting faster and chasing those all-important PBs, Tom understands the commitment and dedication that competitive swimming requires.
For Tom, one of the most rewarding parts of coaching is passing those same skills and experiences on to the next generation of swimmers. He loves working with our young athletes, helping them improve their technique and confidence, and watching them progress, achieve PBs and stand on the podium to collect their medals.
The enthusiasm and dedication of our young swimmers has been so inspirational to Tom that he has recently returned to the pool himself as a Masters swimmer, continuing his own swimming journey alongside his coaching.
JUNIOR DEVELOPMENTREESE HOUSDEN
Reese has been swimming since the age of four and has competed at a high level at competitions across the world. Throughout his swimming career, he has had the opportunity to train under some of the best coaches in the country, gaining valuable experience and insight into what it takes to perform at the highest level.
At just 14 years old, Reese was recognised as the fastest freestyle swimmer in the country, marking an impressive milestone in his competitive career. He went on to trial for the Olympic Games in 2021, an experience that further developed his knowledge, discipline and understanding of elite-level swimming.
Now, Reese is passionate about passing on the skills and experience he has gained throughout his own swimming journey to the next generation of swimmers. He is particularly motivated by helping young swimmers develop their confidence, technique and enjoyment of the sport.
Reese is a Level 2 Swimming Teacher and is currently working towards his Level 2 Coaching qualification, continuing to develop his knowledge and skills as a coach.
His aim is simple: to use the lessons he has learned throughout his own career to help the next generation of swimmers reach their potential — both in and out of the pool.
MARK HORROD
Mark is a Level 2 coach, para coach and comes with a wealth of experience. In 2025, he will become President of Swim England Hertfordshire He also has a Level 2 teaching award. Along with his officiating qualifications, he gives valuable feedback and instruction to our swimmers.
LEVEL 2 COACHDANIEL CAPOZZI
Daniel is a Level 2 Swimming Coach and a valued member of our coaching team. He is also a member of our Masters squad, giving him experience and insight from both sides of the pool.
Swimming is very much a family affair for Daniel. His daughter is part of our Foundation Squad, while his son trains with our Performance Squad. This gives Daniel a unique understanding of the journey swimmers take as they develop from learning the fundamentals through to performance-level swimming.
Daniel can regularly be found poolside supporting our swimmers and attending galas, where he enjoys encouraging and helping swimmers to get the most from their experience.
Alongside his coaching role, Daniel is also the Chair of HHSC, playing an important role in supporting the wider club and helping to shape its future.
Daniel is passionate about creating a positive and supportive environment for swimmers of all abilities and is committed to helping our members develop both their swimming skills and confidence.
MASTERS COACHRICHARD DANIELL
Richard has a long-standing connection with Hemel Hempstead Swimming Club, having first joined the club when his son was a swimmer.
Over the years, Richard became a familiar face on poolside, supporting the club in both coaching and officiating roles. He also played an important part in our competitive programme, taking responsibility for managing and selecting teams for our league galas.
Richard has eight years of experience coaching our Masters swimmers, bringing a wealth of knowledge and experience to the role. After taking some time away from the club, we were delighted to welcome Richard back to HHSC.
With his extensive experience and long-standing connection to the club, Richard is passionate about helping our Masters swimmers develop, improve their performance and, most importantly, continue to enjoy their swimming.
LEVEL 2 COACHMATT RAFIQ-CRASKE
Matt is a valued member of our coaching team and is also a member of our Masters squad. With two daughters of his own, Matt understands the important role that swimming can play in building confidence, discipline and a lifelong love of the sport.
Matt has completed his Level 2 Coaching course and regularly supports our Development Squad poolside on Sunday mornings. He enjoys helping our younger swimmers develop their technique, build confidence and progress through their swimming journey.
Matt is also a vital part of the wider HHSC competition team, regularly running the AOE (Automatic Officiating Equipment) during our competitions. His support behind the scenes helps ensure our galas run smoothly and that race results are recorded accurately.
As both a Masters swimmer and a parent, Matt brings a great combination of personal swimming experience and a genuine passion for supporting the next generation of swimmers. Whether he is poolside with our Development Squad or working behind the scenes at competitions, Matt is an important part of the HHSC team.
LEVEL 2 COACHRACHEL COOPER
Rachel Cooper is a Level 2 Swimming Coach and an active member of the HHSC team. With her son swimming in our Competition Squad, Rachel has a strong understanding of the commitment and dedication involved in competitive swimming.
Alongside her coaching role, Rachel is the Secretary of HHSC and plays a key part in keeping the club running smoothly. She also takes the lead in organising our home galas, helping to ensure our competitions run safely and efficiently and that swimmers have a positive experience.
Rachel is also a qualified Judge Level 2 and is currently working towards her Judge Level 2S qualification, continuing to develop her knowledge and involvement within competitive swimming.
Rachel is passionate about supporting our swimmers both in and out of the pool and enjoys helping them develop their skills, confidence and love of the sport.
LEVEL 2 COACHSARAH YOUNG
Sarah has a long-standing connection with swimming, both as a swimmer and as a parent. Her daughter previously swam with HHSC, and Sarah is an ex-swimmer herself, giving her a strong understanding of the sport from both sides of the pool.
Sarah has experience teaching swimming and has achieved her Level 2 Swimming Teacher qualification. She has since continued to develop her coaching skills, completing the Level 2 Coaching in Aquatics qualification and becoming a qualified Level 2 Coach.
As well as coaching, Sarah is an active official for HHSC and holds the J2S officiating qualification, regularly supporting our competitions and helping our galas run smoothly.
Although Sarah now lives away from Hemel Hempstead, she remains a valued member of the HHSC team and regularly travels back to support the club. She continues to assist with coaching and officiating at competitions, demonstrating her ongoing commitment to the club and its swimmers.
ASSISTANT COACHJULIE THOMSIT
Julie is a valued member of the HHSC coaching team, currently working as an Assistant Coach and working towards her Level 2 Coaching qualification.
With two daughters who both swim with our Performance Squad, Julie has a strong connection to the club and a great understanding of the time, effort and enthusiasm involved in competitive swimming.
Julie regularly supports our swimmers poolside, helping them develop their skills, confidence and enjoyment of the sport. She is passionate about supporting the next generation of swimmers and enjoys seeing them progress and achieve their goals.
Alongside her coaching role, Julie is also our Fixtures Secretary, playing an important part in organising the club’s competition calendar and helping swimmers and coaches prepare for upcoming galas.
Her contribution both poolside and behind the scenes makes Julie an important part of the HHSC team.
ASSISTANT COACHEVE COLSON
