Meet The Coaching Team

John is an experienced coach whose pathway into swimming began from the poolside as a parent. After watching his son learn to swim at Inverkeithing Wing, he joined InCAS as a Poolside Helper under Head Coach Garrie Roberts and quickly discovered a passion for coaching. He holds UKCC Level 1 and Level 2 qualifications alongside STA Level 1 and Level 2 teaching awards. His coaching experience includes roles as Head Coach at Dunedin Swim Team and InCAS, Performance Development Coach at Carnegie SC and Dunedin, and Swim Teacher at InCAS. John also serves as a Team Manager at Dunedin Swim Team and holds CWPS certification. Outside the pool, he spent 43 years working in electronics as a Principal DfX Engineer — a background that informs his analytical, structured coaching approach.

Kirsty has been a valued member of the InCAS coaching team since qualifying as a swimming teacher in 2021. Since then, she has worked primarily with the club’s upper squads, bringing consistency, care, and a strong technical focus to her sessions. She holds the Scottish Swimming Teaching Qualification (SSTQ) and the Scottish Swimming Coaching Qualification (SSCQ), and continues to play an important role in swimmer development across the club. Kirsty’s own swimming journey is both varied and inspiring. Although she swam throughout her life, she came to competitive swimming later than many, after being spotted by Disability Sport Fife. That opportunity led to her representing Scotland at the Cerebral Palsy World Games in 2015, where she achieved an outstanding medal haul: Gold in the 400m Freestyle, Silver in the 100m Freestyle and 50m Freestyle, and Bronze in the 100m Breaststroke. Before stepping into swimming coaching, Kirsty spent over 20 years as a Senior Sailing Instructor, developing a deep understanding of teaching, safety, progression, and confidence-building in young people. That background translates naturally into her coaching style, which is calm, structured, and supportive — particularly for swimmers developing confidence in both technique and competition. Outside the pool, Kirsty is also a keen open-water swimmer (strictly in warm weather only), and continues to bring energy, experience, and encouragement to the InCAS coaching environment.

Rachel is one of the club’s youngest coaches and brings a strong connection to InCAS, having previously swum for the club herself before moving into coaching. She holds a Level 1 coaching qualification and works closely with our youngest swimmers in the Aqua squad, where she has developed a reputation for her patient, encouraging approach and ability to build confidence in new swimmers. Alongside coaching, Rachel currently serves as the club’s President, demonstrating her commitment to the continued growth and development of InCAS. She is also training to become a teacher, a path that clearly complements her natural ability to guide and support young athletes as they begin their swimming journey. Rachel’s experience as both a former swimmer and now a coach allows her to relate closely to the challenges faced by young swimmers, helping them build the foundations of technique, confidence, and enjoyment in the water.

Keith is a dedicated Junior Squad Coach at InCAS, combining three years of swim coaching experience with over 20 years of sailing instruction. He holds the Scottish Swimming Teaching Qualification, CWPS, PVG, and First Aid certifications, and brings a calm, positive, and engaging style to his sessions. An amateur open-water distance swimmer and two-time Ironman finisher, Keith understands endurance sport from the inside out. His coaching focuses on skill development, confidence, and enjoyment — particularly with younger swimmers as they begin to see rapid progress. Alongside coaching, Keith has served the club in key voluntary roles, including Club Secretary (2018–2020) and Funding Officer (2023–2025). He takes particular pride in working with swimmers who listen, apply feedback, and enjoy the process — all while keeping sessions fun.

Jill plays a key role within InCAS as Lead Coach for the junior squads, helping shape the early stages of each swimmer’s journey through the club. She holds a Level 1 coaching qualification and is also a qualified swimming teacher, bringing a strong foundation in both teaching and development. With many years of involvement in the club, Jill has become a familiar and trusted figure for swimmers and parents alike. In addition to her coaching role, she also supports the club as Membership Secretary, welcoming new swimmers into InCAS and guiding them through their first steps on the pathway. Outside of the pool, Jill works as a classroom assistant in primary education, experience that clearly carries through into her coaching style — calm, supportive, and focused on building confidence in young swimmers. InCAS is very much a family commitment for Jill, with her daughters all having been part of the club, including Rachel, who now coaches alongside her. She brings a genuine passion for developing young swimmers and helping them feel part of the team from day one.

Calum’s connection to InCAS dates back to the 1990s, when he swam for the club as a young athlete. Now returning as a coach, he is proud to see two of his children swimming for InCAS, with a third likely to follow — continuing a family tradition within the club. He represented Scotland through the Royal Air Force Air Cadets between 2000 and 2003, competing against teams from England, Wales, and Ireland. In 2025, Calum completed his Scottish Swimming Coaching Qualification (SSCQ), formalising his transition from athlete to coach. After a self-described “short” 25-year break from swimming, Calum returned to competition in 2025 at the Scottish Masters Championships, earning three medals. He still holds his original InCAS club championship certificates — some dating back to 1994 — along with old blue race cards, a reminder of the club’s history and traditions. Calum brings passion, experience, and a lifelong connection to the club, and he’s committed to helping the next generation of InCAS swimmers thrive.

Mikey joined the InCAS coaching team in 2025 and quickly established himself within the Junior Development squads, bringing a technical, organised, and athlete-centred approach to every session. He holds SSCQ, CWPS, and First Aid certifications, and combines coaching knowledge with a wealth of transferable skills from a varied and demanding career. A former competitive swimmer, Mikey raced at district level in Livingston as a teenager, swam nationally with the Sea Cadets in Queensferry, and represented the Army in cross-services events during his military service. After leaving the Army, he spent years working offshore as an inspection diver — experience that strengthened his understanding of physical conditioning, discipline, and the psychology of performing under pressure. Outside the pool, Mikey is deeply involved in the club as a parent volunteer and acts as the resident website, tech, and media lead. Before coaching, he spent a decade in the film and TV industry as a Director of Photography, working on documentaries, broadcast shows, and short films for major networks. He brings clarity, structure, and a strong eye for detail to his coaching, with a focus on helping young swimmers build confident technique, good habits, and a positive mindset both in and out of the water.