From 1st June, Katie Stobbs joins D&G as Lead Coach for Competitive Development and Bronze Squad, alongside broader responsibilities for swimming development across the club — and we could not be more excited to welcome her.
Katie is an accomplished competitive swimmer in her own right, having represented at the British Championships in London this April, and has recently completed her degree in Sport, Exercise and Nutrition at Northumbria University. She brings a deep understanding of athlete development, a sharp coaching eye, and a genuine passion for helping swimmers reach their potential.
"I am beyond excited to join D&G as a swimming coach. Swimming has been a huge part of my life for the last 13 years, both as a swimmer and a coach. I am really looking forward to starting and seeing what the future holds for this amazing club and its swimmers."
We would also like to take a moment to thank Jay for his contribution to D&G and to the swimmers in his care. We wish him every success in what comes next.
And what better time to share this news than a weekend when so many of our swimmers are racing at the South Tyneside Spring Meet. This is exactly the kind of positive momentum that drives a club forward — our swimmers competing hard this weekend, and an exciting new chapter beginning on 1st June. There is a great deal to look forward to.
D&G is a club on the move. Results are improving year on year, squads are growing, and our long-term development plan is firmly in place. This appointment is another step forward in building something that will serve our swimmers for years to come, and we believe the best is still ahead of us.
As with any transition, we ask for your patience and support as Katie settles in and gets to know the swimmers, families and structure of the club. Please give her a warm D&G welcome from day one and she cannot wait to get started.
Any queries in the short term should be directed to Head Coach Paul Woodley while Katie finds her feet.
Thank you, as always, for your trust, your commitment, and your belief in what we are building together.