At the end of this month, we say goodbye to Jay Manners as a coach at Derwentside and Gateshead Swim Team.
From the 1st of June, Jay takes on a full-time role as Junior Coach at City of Sunderland Swimming Club — a well-deserved step forward in what is already a strong coaching career.
This weekend, Jay will be on the poolside at the Tyneside Spring Meet, coaching for D&G one last time. It feels like a fitting send-off: a full weekend of competition, with Sunday as his final day in the role. If you are there, take a moment to wish him well.
Jay has been a valued part of our coaching team, working with our Competitive Development and Bronze squads. Known for his kind and supportive approach, he has always placed as much importance on sportsmanship as on performance, and that comes through in the athletes he has developed. He has built genuine connections with his swimmers, and those relationships matter. The families and athletes he has worked with will feel his absence, but this club has always been built on strong foundations and the programme continues. Our coaching team remains committed to every swimmer's development, and that does not change.
What many people may not know is that Jay is also one of our Masters swimmers, and a highly accomplished competitor in his own right. Reaching a B Final at British Championships in the Men's 400 IM is no small achievement, and it speaks to the level of dedication and understanding he brings to the sport — not just as a coach, but as an athlete himself.
His contribution to the sport extends further still. Those who follow regional live streaming coverage will know Jay as a confident and capable commentator, someone who clearly understands the sport and communicates it well to audiences beyond the poolside.
He has also given a significant amount of his time to Swim England North East as Social Media and Administrative Coordinator — a role that extended his contribution well beyond the poolside.
What stands out about Jay is not just his coaching ability, but the commitment he has shown to developing himself alongside the swimmers he works with. Completing his BSc in Sport Coaching and Development at Manchester Metropolitan University at the same time as holding down two demanding roles says a lot about his drive and professionalism.
The great news is that Jay is not going far. The collaborative relationship between D&G and Sunderland ASC means we will continue to work alongside him, and that partnership is something we genuinely value.
Thank you, Jay, for everything you have brought to this club. We are proud to have been part of your journey, and we look forward to seeing what comes next.
Good luck — though we suspect you will not need much of it.