Hartlepool SC Announce New Head Coach

Hartlepool Swimming Clubs Chairman Shirley Black announced Ian Bullock as their new Head Swimming Coach. 

Ian decided to become a qualified swimming teacher in 2000 after spending 4yrs as a squad helper and relief coach for South Tyneside SC.   In the same year South Tyneside offered him the position of ‘C’ Squad coach where he began to develop his own unique coaching style.

Ian began to look further afield to further his coaching proficiency. He attended morning training sessions with the City of Newcastle SC’s watching and learning from Olympic swimmer Chris Cook and the vastly experienced Jock Oliver who was Chris Cook’s coach.

Ian spent three years as South Tyneside SC’s ‘C’ Squad coach before being offered the promotion to ‘B’ Squad’s coach in 2003.  His new mentors where to become South Tyneside’s Head Coach Ken Nesworthy and Graeme Antwhistle at Borough of Stockton SC.

In 2006 the position of Head Coach of Chester Le Street SC was advertised.  Ian Bullock seized the opportunity to further his career by applying and successfully obtaining the position as Chester Le Street’s new head coach.

When he joined Chester Le Street SC it was going through a difficult time both in and out of the water. With no direction from the club he took it upon himself to steady the ship and try to bring back the feel good factor to the swimmers and the coaching staff. 
Over the next 3½yrs he made it his mission to establish a solid foundation which a well structured club could be built on.  During those 3½yrs the club went from strength to strength and the swimmers went on to make N&D, NER and even National medallists.  Chester le Street Swimming Club can also boast they are the top independent Bag Cats swimming club in the N&D standing and have been for the last three years.

Ian left the position of Head Coach in September 2009 to spend more time with his family and take a well deserved rest.  Safe in the knowledge that the club he had helped to build up would be more than adequate to look after itself.

After having time off from the swimming scene Ian decided he was ready to restart his coaching career. After looking through several job offers he decided to apply for the Head Coaches position at Hartlepool SC.

Ian was asked why he wanted to get back into coaching and why he had chosen to apply to be Hartlepool’s SC’s Head Coach, he commented “After having over a year out from the swimming circuit, my batteries where fully charged and I was raring to get back to the helm.  I looked at several swimming clubs but the Hartlepool SC reminded me of Chester Le Street SC and the situation they where in back in 2006.  I saw an opportunity to make the same sustainable improvements to the Hartlepool SC as I did for Chester Le Street SC and just as importantly help the swimmers and coaching staff to achieve their full potential.  

My own philosophy has been built up by choosing eclectically from a variety of coaching sources and swimming styles that I’ve learned over the past 14years.  I don’t presume to know everything about swimming and I’ve probably only dipped my foot in the surface of the training pool. However I do know how to coach young swimmers at club level and bring out the very best in them once given the opportunity, I also know how to make a good club a great club.  I was once told never think you know everything because you don’t and never miss an opportunity to learn something new which I’m constantly doing.  The improvements I will make to the Hartlepool SC will not happen over night however every person who is willing to put the effort in and when asked, go the extra mile I will help them become the swimmers they have always wanted to become”

Hartlepool SC Chairman Shirley Black said” Ian Bullock is a very experienced Head Coach who has shown how he can turn a rudder less swimming club and it’s swimmers into a formidable force.

We are extremely delighted he wanted to join the Hartlepool SC.  I’ve already watched Ian teach and he doesn’t just expect the swimmers to cover thousands of metres in the pool he also focuses a great deal on the swimmers technique. Ian’s introducing his own training techniques to the club concentrating on a well structured Individual Medley Programme. All I can say to our rival clubs is keep looking over your shoulder we’re on our way up”

Press release HASC 26 – 18th January 2011
Issued by Marley Jackson, 01642 735303 or 07817263803