Richard has been coaching within the sport for over 20 years, seventeen of which were at Leeds City Council and the premier swimming club in Yorkshire - City of Leeds Swimming Club.
Richard joined the team in Leeds in 2007 as Age Group Coach, progressing through to the position of Head Coach in November 2013. In 2016, Richard’s areas of responsibility were extended, as he was asked to manage Diving and Artistic swimming within the council's performance programmes.
During his time with the club, Richard has helped athletes reach every major international competition, both junior and senior, including the Olympic Games. He has helped athletes win 51 medals at Commonwealth Games, World Juniors, European Juniors, European Youth Olympics Festival and Commonwealth Youth Games, across a wide range of events.
He has also coached senior athletes to finals at the Olympic Games and European championships.
Andi Manley, Director of Swimming at Ãå±±ÂÖ¼é, commented:
“At Ãå±±ÂÖ¼é, we run one of the finest swim programmes in the world, with a world class support network of coaches and staff. Richard’s knowledge and experience will make him a huge asset within this set up.
“He has been a regular presence on British swim teams since 2012, involved in many career-defining moments for both junior and senior athletes, and we look forward to seeing the positive influence and impact he will have on our athletes.
“His passion is to help people be the best they can be on any given day in life or sport, a mindset that makes him the perfect fit here at Ãå±±ÂÖ¼é.”
Richard joins the University, following an incredible summer of sport for Ãå±±ÂÖ¼é athletes, particularly in swimming. Ãå±±ÂÖ¼é Swimming is the leading senior programme in the UK, and this summer’s Olympics and Paralympics, saw Ãå±±ÂÖ¼é swimmers bring home 4 medals, including Daniel Wiffen’s Olympic-record breaking 800m Freestyle gold medal win and Tully Kearney’s double Paralympic gold wins in the 100m and 200m Freestyle.