Meet Bridgend County Swim Squad Coaching Team
The coaching team at Bridgend County Swim Squad is made up of passionate and experienced individuals who are committed to helping swimmers reach their full potential.
They create a friendly and focused training environment where swimmers of all levels feel supported and encouraged. Whether someone is just starting out or aiming for top-level competition, the coaches work hard to build skills, confidence, and a love for the sport. Their teamwork and dedication play a big role in the squad’s success, both in and out of the pool.
Vision – BCSS provides the opportunities for athletes, coaches and volunteers to believe in their ability and develop the skills to perform beyond their potential.
Steve Robinson – Head Coach
Steve is a highly accomplished and dedicated swimming coach with a proven track record of athlete development and competitive success. Holding a Level 2 Coaching qualification and ASA Level 2 Swimming Teacher certification, he brings over a decade of hands-on experience to his role as Head Coach at Bridgend County Swim Squad.
Steve’s coaching journey began at age 17, volunteering at Cymmer Pool, where he quickly demonstrated a natural aptitude for mentoring swimmers and fostering team spirit. His early commitment evolved into professional roles across Cardiff Council Leisure Centres, where he coached club squads and refined his expertise in stroke technique, training periodisation, and long-term athlete development.
Since joining Bridgend County Swim Squad in 2019, Steve has progressed from Assistant Coach to Head Coach, leading the programme with a strategic and athlete-centred approach. Under his guidance, swimmers have achieved podium finishes at the Welsh National Championships, reflecting his ability to deliver high-performance outcomes while maintaining a supportive and disciplined training environment.
Steve is known for his meticulous planning, technical precision, and ability to inspire swimmers at all levels. He prioritises holistic development—balancing physical conditioning, mental resilience, and tactical awareness—to prepare athletes not just for competition, but for lifelong success in and out of the pool.
With a deep understanding of coaching methodology and a commitment to continuous improvement, Steve remains a driving force in Welsh swimming, shaping the next generation of talent with professionalism, integrity, and passion.
Billy Pye – Assistant Coach
Christopher “Billy” Pye is one of the original founders of Bridgend County Swim Squad, along with Mike Pett who we all knew and loved at the club. Billy left his Head Coach position with us to take up a position with British Swimming as the Head Coach of British Disability Swimming, most notably we would know him as the coach of Ellie Simmonds.
Billy has coached at countless Commonwealth Games, Olympic Games, World Championships, British Championships and his athletes have been awarded a plethora of medals.
Lisa Davies
Lisa is a level 1 coach and works with many different squads in each of the pools.
Gareth Gardener
Gareth is a level 1 coach and works with many different squads in each of the pools.
Ruth Jones
Ruth is a level 2 coach and works with the competitive skills squads.
Chloe Thomas
Chloe has previously been a swimming member of the BCSS and has progressing through the structure from swimming to become a level 2 coach.
Simon Hopkin
Simon is a level 1 coach and works with the competitive skills squads.
Karen Hopkin
Karen is a level 1 coach and works with the competitive skills squads.
Imogen Hunt
Imogen has previously been a swimming member of the BCSS and has progressing through the structure from swimming to become a Level 1 coach.
Our aims:
- Develop Quality Environments
- Ensure a high quality governance structure is in place
- Ensure a structured development pathway that is open to all is in place.
- To provide an atmosphere that inspires swimmers to achieve their maximum potential through a strong work ethic, discipline, self-motivation and self-esteem;
- To develop team unity where everyone encourages and takes pride in each other at all levels of competition.
- To create an inclusive club with a culture that seeks to maximise the individual potential of each competitive swimmer.
- To build a team where everyone’s success is celebrated.
Athlete Development (Membership Growth & Retention)
- Increase number of members
- Ensure club membership is maintained at no less than 80% of the capacity
- Implement a retention strategy to improve retention rate within the club
- To encourage as many individuals to participate in the sport of swimming regardless of their age or level of swimming competence (within the constraints of its existing resources or available space).
- To provide a safe, structured environment in which swimmers can enjoy developing those skills essential for competitive and social swimming
Athlete Development (Performance)
- Increase in the number of athletes on National Programmes during 2023.
- Increase the number of athletes making Regional, National & British times.
- To teach all of our swimmers the core values of respect, self-confidence, discipline, hard work, sportsmanship and team spirit which will carry with them.
Coach & Volunteer Development
- Ensure all sections of the club have access to quality coaching
- Maintain and increase the number of Volunteers by 2023
- Maintain and increase the number of Coaches
- Develop and implement a Recruitment and Retention Strategy
- To provide excellence in professional coaching and programs to develop individuals to the best of their abilities to compete at the highest levels;