Surrey Synchro given boost by Woolley appointment

Woolley has been appointed as the Synchronised Swimming Development Coach at Surrey Sports Park and will be working in partnership with Rushmoor Synchro Club, a club she has been with for many years both as a swimmer and a coach.

Her role has two main aims: to impart her experience as a former International synchro swimmer and increase the participation of the sport in the area by working with other local sports clubs and schools.

Woolley, who trained as part of the Senior GB Squad at British Synchro’s High Performance Centre in Aldershot, said: “I am looking forward to increasing the profile of synchro in the Surrey area and continuing my work with Rushmoor. 

“Rushmoor has so much potential and hopefully I'll be able to tap into that and make the club the strongest it's ever been.”

Bright synchro future

Wooley is the third Synchro Development Coach to take up their post after the ASA approved funding for six councils to employ full-time performance development coaches for the sport.

She follows the appointments of Maria Shortman at Bristol City Council and Helen Morris at Portsmouth Northsea Swimming Club.  

Karen Thorpe, the ASA’s Talent Development Officer for Synchro, said: “The Synchro community are thrilled to have such an investment into their sport.  The health and social benefits that synchro can offer young girls is second to none.

“With that in mind, the sport is set to grow over the next three years, developing and setting a new platform for all participants and creating a career path for coaches within England.”

Woolley, who will also be able to develop her own skills as a coach by working towards her next qualification – the UK Coaching Certificate Level 3, agrees.

“It's an exciting time for Synchro in Britain at the moment with these roles being put into place and it is great to be part of something that should make synchro more understood and popular with the general public.”