Head Coach Announcement

The Academy Swim Team is sad to announce the resignation of Head Coach Sara Flinton. The Academy Swim Team Burnham on Sea has been extremely lucky to have had Sara working with the Swim Team for the past 8 years. She has devoted many hours inside and outside of training to support the club but has now decided that the time is right for her to step down and move away from swimming. Sara initially gave her notice hoping to see out the season until July but due to personal circumstances Sara has decided that she will be leaving the club as of 6th May 2024, meaning her last training session will be this coming Thursday before she supports our swimmers at this weekend’s Regional Championships.

Sara has been in full support of the new and exciting changes that are taking place at the club including the development and growth of the coaching team and new Junior Squad.

Club Chairman Mark Jimmieson said "It is with great sadness that Sara will not be able to finish the season with the swimmers, but we understand that her personal wellbeing and family must always come first and we wish Sara all the best for her future endeavours and the impending duties of becoming a Nanna."

What this means for the club

After many hours of discussions the club is delighted to announce that the Coaching Team will now be led by our Level 2 Coach Nic Hazelton and Oliver Astill, supported by our other remaining Coaches Liz Power and Lewis Duggan, as well as our new Coach Lewis Plume. In addition to taking on the new Junior Squad on Wednesday and Saturday evenings Lewis will also be supporting the coaches running other training sessions. Both Oliver and Lewis Plume will be taking their Level 2 coaching qualification as soon as a course place becomes available.

In addition to this our now former Head Coach Sara Flinton will also continue to support the Coaching Team with planning training sessions to help ensure that this period of change is as smooth as possible. In the meantime the club will also be advertising for a part-time Level 2 Coach to support the ongoing efforts of our Coaching Team. 

Club Chairman Mark Jimmieson added "I hope that this transitional time is positive and smooth for all our swimmers, parents and coaches. I understand that this will be a huge change for the club as Sara has been here for a number of years, but I hope that everyone will embrace and welcome the start of a new era at ASTBOS."