Our Coaches

Carl Kirsopp

Head Coach

I have been a competitive swimmer for almost 20 years. I started with Rykneld in 2007 and currently swim competitively for Sutton Swimming Club. I am primarily a backstroke swimmer and have competed at County level and made it to Regionals multiple times.   In terms of my background, I am a qualified level 1 and 2 swimming teacher, a qualified lifeguard as well as a qualified level 1 and 2 coach. I have coached at Rykneld at Sharley Park Leisure Centre and I teach swimming to all ages at Clay Cross Active for North East Derbyshire District Council.   My main ambition in this club is to enable all swimmers to achieve their full potential. I believe I can help the swimmers get great results, whether that's PBs, medals or even County and Regional qualifying times.  My inspiration is my former coach, the late Paul Watkinson, who simultaneously enabled me to enjoy my swimming as well as obtain results, such as getting me to Regionals in 2022 and 2023. I endeavour to follow in his footsteps by doing just that; making it fun but also getting those results and helping the swimmers achieve their goals, no matter how big or small they may be. I look forward to meeting the new swimmers in all areas of the club as well as reconnecting with those that may remember me from before.

Evie Greenhalgh

Assistant Head Coach

Tony Gelsthorpe

Squad coach

I am a passionate and committed coach who believes in helping every athlete realise their potential. Having competed in elite sporting environments, I understand the value of hard work, resilience and showing up consistently I bring that mindset into every session on poolside. 

My approach to coaching is built around strong fundamentals, attention to detail and creating an environment where swimmers feel supported, challenged and confident. I want athletes to enjoy their training, take pride in their progress and learn to push their own limits in a positive and constructive way. 

I believe success comes from consistency, discipline and belief but also from enjoying the journey. Whether a swimmer is chasing personal bests, regional success or long-term ambitions, my goal is to help them grow not only as athletes, but as confident and resilient individuals. For me, coaching is about building trust, encouraging ambition and helping swimmers leave the pool stronger in both body and mindset.

Macy Helps

Squad coach

I began swimming with Rykneld at the age of 7. I competed with the club until I was 17 before moving to Ripley RASCALS, where I qualified as a Level 1 Coach. I now coach at both Ripley and Rykneld. Coaching is something I genuinely love—I enjoy supporting swimmers of all abilities and helping them develop both in the pool and as individuals. Swimming has always been a sport I’m passionate about, and being able to give back through coaching is incredibly rewarding. Outside of swimming, I completed my A Levels last year and currently work as a part-time lifeguard at Clay Cross Active.

Ben Walker

Squad coach

A real all-rounder when it comes to the water; I have played water polo for Warwick Water Polo Club and been a previous competitive swimmer for Bicester Blue Fins, Warwick University and Kenilworth Masters. Alongside this, I have been coaching and teaching swimming since 2009, completing my level 2 teaching qualification in 2012. I have had the pleasure of working as the lead academy coach at Bicester Blue Fins and spent two years as the head coach for the Warwick University swimming team from 2018-2020. I also enjoyed working with Leaminton Spa and Rugby swimming clubs during my time living in these towns. This has enabled me to coaching a huge range of swimmers from learn to swim through to national level swimmers and BUCs finalists. Outside of swimming I am a maths teacher and Head of Year 11 at a secondary school in Doncaster. I have a real passion for seeing young people progress and am enjoying working with Rykneld again.