Artistic Swimming Coaches

Alyssa Ward

Head Coach

I first started with Rykneld SC as a ‘speed’ swimmer at the age of 6, before transitioning to Artistic Swimming in 2011 at the age of 14. I fell in love with the sport extremely quickly and was soon developed to National level by our previous Head Coach, Jean Timmons, before being encouraged to join a regional hub designed to bring swimmers together into a competitive team who would otherwise be isolated. When I retired from competing, I naturally pursued coaching and passed my Level 2 Artistic Swimming Coach qualification in 2018. I became Head Coach in 2019 and have since had the pleasure of growing the Squad fourfold alongside a fantastic and dedicated group of 8 coaches who I am very proud to lead and mentor. Of course I am passionate about Synchro itself; I love the intricacies of choreography, the artistry and I respect the physicality it requires. But most importantly I am dedicated to inspire and encourage both our swimmers and coaches to progress to the highest standard of which they are capable and learn important life skills that will help them succeed in the future.

Mia Hudson

I joined Rykneld's Artistic Swimming Squad in 2014 at the age of 10 and immediately became addicted to the sport! I proceeded all the way through the Under 18 section of the club, with my last four years in the role of Club Captain, competing (and medalling!) at National competitions. I am now swimming in our Masters section and have also been coaching since 2021. I coach the Senior Team in the Under 18 Squad and also work with the Synchro Stars Novices. I have completed both my Level 1 and Level 2 Artistic Swimming Coach qualifications, and I am also a Level 1 Artistic Swimming Judge. I am also on the Club’s Committee as Artistic Swimming Competition and Social Media Secretary. In my non-swimming spare time (which there isn’t much of!) I work in retail and enjoy ice skating and escape rooms.

Hannah Montague

I joined Rykneld’s Artistic Swimming squad in 1993 and loved the sport. I became a Registered National Scorer, Grade B examiner, Team Manager and completed an ASA level 1 Teaching Qualification. I competed in the Scottish Nationals twice and loved competing all over the country. I also competed in the Masters Squad. I have been coaching since I was 18, with a brief break to have children, and returned when my eldest daughter joined the Squad in 2019. Outside of swimming after working as a solicitor for almost 20 years, I am now training to be a teacher working with children with SEND. I am a School Governor at Lady Manners School, I enjoy raising funds for Sheffield Children’s Hospital, especially doing the Great North Run. I also enjoy dance and yoga in my spare time.

Katie Hibbs

I joined Rykneld as an Artistic Swimmer nearly 15 years ago and have since progressed through the club, achieving my Level 1 Assistant and Level 2 Artistic Swimming Coach qualifications, coaching both the Novice section and an Under 18 team. I also volunteer at competitions as an official, holding a Level 1 Judge qualification. Artistic Swimming has been a huge part of my life, and I love being able to give back to the sport through coaching and volunteering. I currently compete for Rykneld in the Masters section of Artistic Swimming, taking part in both Tech and Combo team events, competing both regionally and nationally. Outside of the pool, I am a Psychology teacher, and in my spare time I can often be found curled up with a good book.

Livvy Shelton

I’ve been involved in artistic swimming for over 3 decades! I am a Level 2 Artistic Swimming Coach and a Level 2 Artistic Swimming Judge. I swam for Green Arrows Artistic Swimming Club in Nottingham for 28 years, winning over 40 medals regionally and nationally within that time. I also coached the Under 18 swimmers there for over 10 years. During this time, I had helped Rykneld out when they needed additional coaches which built a relationship between Green Arrows and Rykneld which led to the clubs coming together in a collaborative Senior Team to compete at the National SE Combo Cup in 2023. I enjoyed the atmosphere and nurturing environment of Rykneld during this time so much that in 2023 I made the move permanently to coach the Under 18 swimmers and swim for the Synchro Masters Team. I volunteer for the sport regionally and at national competitions up and down the country. In between being on poolside and in the pool I work full time as an administrator. I love walking my boxer dog Toby, and spending time with my nieces. I keep fit between Synchro training sessions by swimming 2-3 miles a week.

Becky Nash

I’ve been swimming with Rykneld Artistic Swimming Club since 2011 when I was 9 years old. Once i turned 18 i decided to become a coach while still swimming in the Masters team. I’ve coached all ages starting off with Stars who didn’t compete, to a 13-18 team who successfully competed with a fantastic Hannah Montana routine. I enjoy coaching through play with younger swimmers - we play games designed to increase the swimmers’ confidence and build on the basic synchro skills they continue to learn throughout their years with the club. I am now a Level 1 Artistic Swimming Coach and a Level 1 Artistic Swimming Judge. Away from the pool I’m a Cable Jointer, fixing the electricity to streetlights around Staffordshire. I’ve completed my apprenticeship and have been working for my company for 5 years. As this is a predominately male role I enjoy being a girly girl away from work. I love glitter and sparkles, having my nails done and spa days!

Evie Greenhalgh

I joined Rykneld Artistic Swimming Squad when I was 10 and swam all the way up to national level to compete in Combo Cup (where we won gold). When I reached 18 I then started to volunteer as a coach and loved it so much I then went on to do my Swim Teacher and Artistic Swimming Qualifications, becoming a Level 1 Artistic Swimming Coach, a Level 2 Swim Teacher and Level 1 Artistic Swimming Judge. After working within Rykneld’s Learn To Swim programme for a little over a year I then began helping out to cover coached sessions before fully transitioning into a Level 2 Swim Coach. I currently juggle Coaching our Junior Swimming Squads as Assistant Swimming Head Coach, as well as a team in the Synchro Squad, and I am on the Club’s Committee in the roles of Swimming Competition and Social Media Secretary. Outside of swimming I work in retail.

Lauren Tann

I am a Level 1 Artistic Swimming Coach and enjoy coaching the younger swimmers in our 12&Under Team with my sister Alyssa. I have swum for Rykneld Artistic Swimming Squad since 2007 and after a break when I had my daughter, now swim in the Masters Team winning medals both regionally and nationally. I work as an Occupational Therapist in a specialist school for children with Autism, and have postgraduate training in sensory integration. I also have training and experience of ADHD, selective mutism and mental health in children. I run Sugarcraft classes teaching children the art of cake decoration and am an active member of St Paul’s Church Hasland including flower arranging and supporting the community of the church. I enjoy spending time with family in the great outdoors with any spare time I have!

Rachel Nash

I have been doing Artistic Swimming since 2013 when I was 6 years old after watching my sister start it a few years before me. I instantly fell in love with the creativity of the sport and how the possibilities are endless to what you can do in the water. Over the years I have swum competitively in all the age groups, then was recently given the opportunity to assist with coaching the Stars Novice group, where I love to pass on my knowledge to the brilliant little swimmers who come along to give it a try! I enjoy letting the kids learn through play to create a comfortable environment in the water. I help out with the Under 18 teams occasionally, and also now swim with our Masters team after accumulating a lot of experience and medals over the years with this brilliant club. I’ve made so many lifelong friends and I couldn’t imagine my life without swimming. I spend the majority of my time in or around a pool working as a lifeguard outside of synchro. When I’m not in a pool, I’m in a dance studio teaching many styles of dance and musical theatre to all ages ranging from 4 to 14.