Adam Whitehead - Director of Training and Recruitment

In August 2002, at the Commonwealth Games in Manchester, Adam made a dramatic return to International swimming by winning the men’s 100m breaststroke and taking a further two silver medals, making him the most successful male swimmer at the games. Twelve months previously, Adam had virtually quit the sport following a dramatic failure at the Sydney Olympics, where he crashed out in 21st place.  The former European 200m Breaststroke Champion suffered back and knee injuries and a but of depression, the turnaround was remarkable. He puts it all down to a mental strength and a tenacious will to succeed. Adam has spent eight years at the top of his sport both domestically and on the world stage.

Since retiring from swimming in 2006, he has worked with all different types of young people and adults. He has mentored young people in care, pupils at the risk of expulsion, people struggling with depression, victims of bullying and young offenders. As well as this, he has worked with companies and small businesses helping them improve their working practice. Lectured at several Universities and facilitated workshops of various natures, including working with the Gifted and Talented.

Dermot Gascoyne - Operations Director

Dermot is a former heavyweight boxer. Having been a late starter in his sport Dermot made rapid progress winning numerous titles as an amateur before signing as a professional fighter with the countries leading manager and promoter Frank Warren. Although he never won a professional title, he had victories over British, Commonwealth and European Champions, the most prestigious of which was his victory over the British Champion that took just 70 seconds! Dermot boxed all over the world and was employed as a sparring partner to five heavyweight World Champions and was involved in elite training camps both in Britain and abroad. Dermot was particularly popular in Scandinavia spending a great deal of time in both Denmark and Sweden. Following his retirement from boxing, Dermot began working with disadvantaged children. Dermot says “Most of the young people I have worked with find my sporting background interesting. This gives me the opportunity to engage with them and form productive relationships quickly. I think that getting involved in sport at any level can be a fulfilling and fun experience”

Sam Coombes - Business Development Director

As a junior athlete, Sam Coombes was ranked No.1 in the National Junior League in the 800metres and was unfortunate to suffer serious injury that halted his progression into the senior ranks. Through successive surgeries Sam is now competing again and training with an elite squad of middle distance athletes at Loughborough University, aiming to reach the London 2012 Olympics. At school, Sam was a little wayward and needed the discipline and dedication that he found in his athletics training to help straighten up at school and achieve the grades necessary to go to University. Sport is all Sam ever dreamed of whilst at school and knows that many children and young adults today have the same outlook. They just need a helping hand to guide them on the right path.