Spencer George- City of Derby Swimming Club
Spencer George is a volunteer coach at the City of Derby Swimming Club.
The 34-year-old has been swimming with the club for 26 years and currently coaches the Regional Potential Squad, with the aim of helping members to reach the standard needed to compete in the Midland Championships.
Juggling coaching with running his own gardening business, Spencer gives up at least eight hours a week for the club, coaching on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday evenings as well as on a Sunday morning.
In addition to this there are galas at least once a month, which also mean extra coaching sessions, and Spencer also finds time to help out at another Derbyshire swimming club, Deventio Excel, once a week.
He said: “You also have to spend time planning sessions, so I probably spend another five hours a week working behind the scenes.
“It is a big commitment but it is definitely worth it.
“I started coaching five years ago when the chairman at the time asked if I was interested. Before that I had covered a few sessions for my squad when coaches had been away and had got some good feedback.
“I had always intended to get into coaching but had seen it as something I would do when I was 50 as a part-time hobby. But I’ve found my niche and am really enjoying it and am looking to turn professional.”
As a swimmer in his own right, Spencer has previously competed at a national level, and has raced against the likes of Adrian Moorhouse and Nick Gillingham.
He also recently competed at the World Masters Championships and has not lost his competitiveness – proudly stating that none of the 32 swimmers in his squad can beat him.
He said: “I get the same buzz from coaching as I used to when I was racing. Seeing the kids race and the training working, I get a real high from seeing them finish and they look up and have got a PB. Their faces light up and their parents are jumping up and down.
“Even when they have not swum as well the challenge is to pick them up for the next race – I like a challenge!”
He added: “Derbyshire swimming has come on in leaps and bounds in the past five years and is now recognised as one of the leading counties in the sport.
“There are more than 4,000 registered competitive swimmers in the county and five people on the 2012 programme. Ross Davenport and Dean Milwain will be competing at this year’s Olympics and David Ellis at the Paralympics, and they have all come through the City of Derby Swimming Club.”
Spencer is one of many volunteers involved with the City of Derby Swimming Club, and when hosting competitions more than 120 volunteers are involved.
To find out more about the club go to http://www.coderby.co.uk/