General enquiries: celticdolphinsswimming@gmail.com
Fixtures: celticdolphinsfixtures@gmail.com
​Celtic Dolphins Swimming Club
Pontardawe Swimming Pool
King George V Park, Jones Street
 Pontardawe, SA8 4JE

the official website

Paul osborne
​Head Coach

OUR COACHES

All the coaching team, staff and volunteers alike, are qualified to coach swimming or are in the process of seeking formal accreditation and are being supervised.

David's Qualifications:
Working towards ASA Level 1 Assistant Swimming Coach

​NICOLA GRANGE

MEET THE CELTIC DOLPHIns' TEAM

Nicola's Qualifications:
​ASA Level 1 - Assistant Swimming Teacher
STA Award and Certificate in Swimming Teaching
Working towards  ASA Level 1 Swimming Coach. 

How long have you been coaching swimming? 
I’ve been involved in competitive swimming from the age of 9 as a former swimmer and club captain at Swansea Valley Swimming club and latterly with City of Swansea swim squad.  
Why did you get into coaching?
Although interested in all sports, swimming offers the unique balance of personal challenge whilst also having the benefit of being a member of a team. My love for the sport has been rekindled by my children who are both keen members of the club. 
What is the best thing about being a swim coach?
Firstly, its seeing the children’s enjoyment of spending time in water, but I also love seeing the development of talented and committed children as they overcome significant challenges and realise their potential.

getting to know OUR COACHES

Paul's Qualifications:
ASA Level 1 & 2 Swim ASA Coach Level 1 Water Polo
ASA  Timekeeper

​david hughes

Paul Osborne, Martin Butler, David Hughes, Nicola Grange and Mia Cleave run the training sessions as well ​as the competitions which the team attend.

​MARTIN BUTLER

How long have you been coaching swimming?
I've been a swimming coach since 2010 .
How did you get into coaching?
I've been a competitive swimmer since I was 10 years of age (still swimming) and wanted to put that experience and passion for swimming back into a club.
What is the best thing about being a swim coach?
The satisfaction of seeing children learning to swim and enjoying being in the water. If they develop into competitive swimmers, setting and achieving goals, that's an added bonus.
What is your most memorable moment as a swim coach?
​I'm sure there's plenty of those moments yet to arrive (and its a privilege to coach swimming) but certainly at this stage developing the swimming ability of the Welsh youth international water polo u16 boys, girls and senior women's squad, and helping develop the swimming strength of one senior male and two of the u.18 girls, all of whom went on to full representative GB honours.

Martin's Qualifications:
​ASA Level 1&2 Coaching Swimming
ASA Level 1 Teaching Aquatics
ASA Disability Swim Awareness
ASA Deaf Friendly Swimming
ASA Visually Impaired Friendly Swimming
ASA Competitive Dives – Fundamentals
ASA Qualified Timekeeper
ASA Level 1 Judge
​STA Level 1&2

Details pending for coach Mia Cleave

Why did you get into coaching?
I learnt to swim at Pontardawe Swimming Pool and then went on to join Swansea Valley Swimming Club. I stayed on when Celtic Dolphins first started and became one of the first club captains. I started to help out with the younger swimmers which then lead me to do my ASA Level 1 Teaching Assistant course. I started teaching the Academy that is set up at Pontardawe as well. I have started to help out with the swimmers again and now I take a Thursday morning session and the Friday evening.

What is the best thing about being a swim coach?
The most enjoyable part of teaching and coaching is watching the enjoyment when any child has achieved their goal, whether they realise or not.

All our coaches have also been subject to the appropriate DBS vetting required for working with children and young people. 

How long have you been coaching swimming? 
I started as a parent volunteer with the club in 2012, gained my first coaching qualifications in 2014 and in 2016 started the Club Potential/Advanced groups. 
Why did you get into coaching?
My boys were in swimming club, and as an ex-Swansea Valley Club swimmer I was keen to help out. I thoroughly enjoyed being on poolside and decided to take it further and gain coaching and teaching qualifications.
What is the best thing about being a swim coach?
Helping swimmers to achieve their potential, it can be challenging at times but incredibly rewarding. Acquiring new skills and learning something new every swim session. Being part of a team who really enjoy what they do, and making new friends in the world of swimming.
​What is your most memorable moment as a swim coach?
Organising a Swimathon, and seeing swimmers, parents, coaches and pool staff come together to help raise money for a local good-cause. It was an amazing few hours of swimming and something I will never forget.