Marcin Paszek, Head Coach
I have been involved in swimming for most of my life. I represented my home country of Poland at the Junior European Championships in Belgium in 2007 and also at other major international swim meets with the Polish National Team. I specialised in butterfly and freestyle events in which I won many National senior medals.
I moved to the UK in 2012 and joined Swansea Aquatics, where I swam in the National Squad for three years. During that time, I graduated in Sports Management at the University of Wales Trinity Saint David.
I began my coaching career at Swansea Aquatics Swimming Club in 2015 before joining Enfield Swim Squad as Assistant Head Coach in January 2018, where I coached junior squad, senior squad and masters swimmers to a National level. Throughout my time at Enfield Swim Squad, I coached swimmers from beginners to British Championships and also National open water level.
I subsequently left Enfield Swim Squad in August 2019 to take up the head coach position at Staines Swimming Club for over a year, where I have worked with several National Age Group medallists and many Regional Medallists. During my time I have increased the number of regional qualifiers substantially and had several medallists and the Club improved its standing in the Arena National Swimming League.
Michelle Laverick, Competitive B
I swam competitively from a young age. Trained at Deepings Swimming Club then moved to South Lincs under Mark Perry (ex British Open Water Coach), also training with the amazing Mel Marshall.
I have been at Middlesbrough ASC since December 2021. Previously both my children swam for the club under Stuart Willmott, and I used to teach the small pool at Academy. I also swam in masters under Jim Mooney.
I hold a degree and masters in Sport Science (Hons). I am level 2 teach, level 2 coach among other non relevant qualifications.
I was a Lidl area manager for 7 years before moving back into teaching swimming when my children were young. That teaching pushed me into the coaching side of swimming.
My squad is really rounded and my aim is for all my swimmers to be happy and love swimming. It is my job as their coach to help them realise their full potential and encourage a lifelong interest and devotion in swimming, coaching, volunteering – whatever the discipline.
Natalie Shipley, Youth Potential
I have been involved with Middlesbrough ASC for 4 years, in various roles. Having swum until my late teens, I then joined the Masters squad in 2019. Recently, I trained as Level 1 then Level 2 coach, and I’m hoping to pass my passion on for swimming on to the younger swimmers.
As a younger swimmer, I competed at Lincolnshire County Championships and also represented England Army Cadets in the 4×100 freestyle relay. More recently, I have been involved in racing at Masters Regional Teams events.
I hope to encourage Youth Potential swimmers to really thrive by working on stroke drills to improve technique and also build up their stamina by stretching their comfort zones. We have to get the basics right to be able to go from strength to strength. This squad is also about having fun so, as much as we have a distance to achieve, we also know the importance of relay sprints and enjoying being in the water after a challenging set. A number of Youth Potential either have or are very close to N&D and regional times and my aim is to help swimmers move towards their goals.
If I am not in the pool I love being outside walking Tilly our golden Labrador, or spending time with our extended family (who amaze me at how understanding they are with the amount of time we are actually at a pool)!
Paul Nixon, Junior Potential
I have been involved in Coaching with Middlesbrough ASC since October 2022. When I’m not at the pool, I’m a Primary School supply teacher and I have lots of experience working with children through youth work at my church and through Scouting. I got involved in swimming through my son who swam for the club for several years. Since then I have developed a real passion for the sport and love to see swimmers succeed in their goals. As well as coaching the Junior Potential squad, I help coordinate our Academy squad and I support swimmers who use swimming as part of their evidence for GCSEs.
In Academy, I help many swimmers take their first steps into competitive swimming, with sessions that are aimed at building a swimmer’s stamina. I help to start to introduce them to the basic fundamentals of competitive swimming, working through a series of small groups where we focus on targets form the Swim England club Awards. They can then begin to enter our basic shrimp and club galas.
In Junior Potential, I support swimmers who have gained more of a passion for competitive swimming in the Development squad. In Junior Potential we elevate this to the next level; Swimmers will have the opportunity top attend lots of club and level 3 galas and work on their PBs. We swim 4-5 times a week and as well as skill-based work and stamina we build up greater race technique. As swimmers progress, they will hopefully look to achieve county championship (known as N&D) qualifying times.
Caroline Horner, Academy, Development & Active
I began my journey with Middlesbrough Swimming Club in 1985 as a swimmer; I completed in many galas, including N&Ds, NERs, also competing in Oberhausen and Dublin. I took a couple of years off then joined the Masters.
After having a family I returned back to my swimming in the Masters squad and joined both my children in the club.
I wanted my children to have the amazing experience I did, being part of a team, making lots of friends and having something to be proud to be a part of.
I started teaching at the Academy in 2013 and have my Teachers level 1 & 2 and my Coaches level 1. I now teach Academy, Development squad and Active squad.
Swimming is a life long skill that stays with you your whole life and I still enjoy training regularly with a masters squad in between my teaching.
My swimming also branched out into Open water swimming and competing in the Great North Swim, and I now enjoy Paddle boarding in my spare time.