May 22, 2026
A highly experienced and skilled group of swimming coaches and support staff has been assembled in order to facilitate the best possible performances for the squad at Glasgow 2026.
The coaching staff come from a wide range of backgrounds within the swimming community, including performance centres, university programmes, club coaches and school programmes.
Andi Manley will serve as Head Coach, where he will be supported by Richard Blackshaw as Team Leader and Rod Wardle as Lead Team Manager.
Wardle will be supported by Team Manager Claire Thorn, while Daniel Waddingham will lead athlete preparation and recovery, as Lead Sport Science and Sports Medicine Practitioner and strength and conditioning.
Two performance analysts – Craig Robertson and Victoria Jones – and two physiotherapists – Rachel Carter and Lisa Sharratt – will support this work alongside a team of eight coaches: Ryan Livingstone, Jamie Main, Karen Bradbury, Andy Sharp, Richard Denigan, Kevin Brooks, Greg King-Limb and Tokyo 2020 Olympic champion Calum Jarvis.
Five of the eight will be heading to their first senior major championships and first multi-sports Games.
Highly experienced and committed staff
Team England Swimming Head Coach, Andi Manley, said: “Being selected for a Commonwealth Games is a proud moment for everyone involved, and that extends beyond the athletes to the team supporting them every day.
“This group brings together highly experienced and committed staff from across the breadth of the coaching community, all focused on creating the right environment for our swimmers to prepare well and perform at their best.
“We’re aligned in our approach, and I’m looking forward to seeing what we can achieve together. The opportunity to represent England doesn’t come around often and we’re aiming to make the nation proud this summer.”
Swim England Head of Sport and Team England Team Leader for Swimming and Para-Swimming, Richard Blackshaw, said: “To compete at a Commonwealth Games takes a huge collective effort, with a committed team of people working tirelessly behind the scenes to give athletes everything they need to succeed.
“What makes this staff group particularly strong is its quality and togetherness, bringing world-class coaching, performance support and team operations into one integrated unit, built around shared standards and a collective focus on ensuring the team arrives ready to compete in Glasgow.
“United by a single purpose, our staff are determined to help the team represent Team England with pride and showcase the professionalism, care and expertise that sits at the heart of English swimming.”
An initial selection of support staff was announced earlier this year, with both accredited staff and additional support staff now finalised.
Team England swimming and para-swimming staff:
- Richard Blackshaw – Team Leader
- Andi Manley – Head Coach
- Rod Wardle – Lead Team Manager
- Claire Thorn – Team Manager
- Daniel Waddingham – Lead Sport Science and Sports Medicine Practitioner and Strength and Conditioning
- Craig Robertson – Performance Analyst
- Victoria Jones – Performance Analyst
- Rachel Carter – Physiotherapy
- Lisa Sharratt – Physiotherapy
- Ryan Livingstone – Team Coach
- Jamie Main – Team Coach
- Karen Bradbury – Team Coach
- Andy Sharp – Team Coach
- Richard Denigan – Team Coach
- Kevin Brooks – Team Coach
- Calum Jarvis – Team Coach
- Greg King-Limb – Team Coach
Additional support staff:
- Paula West – Coordinator
- Jessica Arnold – Coordinator
- Anna Woodside – Performance Operations
- Ally Whike – Director of Sport
- Diane Elliot – Sports Science Sports Medicine Manager
- Gemma Hathaway – Strength & Conditioning
- Abi Woodliffe-Thomas – Nutritionist
- Danielle Brayson – Swimming Lead
- Mollie Goodwin – Performance Analyst
- David Fletcher – Team Dynamics
- Daniel Richardson – Media
- Kelly Stock – Media
- Craig Gibbons – Coach
- Dave Heathcock – Selection Panel
- Rob Aubry – Selection Panel
- Jonothon Murt – Selection Chair
