Our Committee
Sharon Hudson
Chair
I am Sharon and I am currently the Chair of Rykneld Swimming Club. I have been involved in the club since 2014 when my daughter Mia started doing Artistic (then known as Synchronised) Swimming. I soon started helping poolside then was asked to join the committee as a voice for Synchro, and in the usual ‘careful what you say yes to’ habit of clubs run by volunteers, was soon helping Head Coach Alyssa run the Squad - doing all the behind the scenes organisation, communication, membership, events, finance etc so she could focus on Coaching, and building and mentoring our brilliant team of 8 coaches (of which she still now does a fantastic job!). After several years on the committee as Synchro Coordinator, when Pam had to step down as Chair last summer I agreed to step up temporarily to cover for her, with Judie from Competitive Swimming as Co-Chair so we had an experienced person from both disciplines of the Club overseeing things. This seemed to work well in the short term so we both stepped up as Chair and Vice Chair moving forwards. My daughter Mia is now a Coach and Masters swimmer for the Artistic Swimming Squad so it looks like I’ll be around for some time to come! In my day to day life (when I get a minute to spare from swimming business!) I work part time as an Exam Invigilator and part time for the NSPCC doing Primary School Workshops empowering children to Speak Out and Stay Safe (Google it - it’s brilliant!) and I get out in the Peaks to walk as often as I can!
Margaret Roberts
Secretary
I have been involved with Rykneld Swimming Club since its inception in 1972, as my father was one of the founding members. Over the years, I have participated in both swimming and artistic swimming, competing and coaching in both disciplines.
My long-standing involvement has allowed me to gain a wealth of knowledge in the world of swimming. Throughout the years, I have served the club in various capacities, including Chair, Secretary, Welfare Officer, as well a committee member without portfolio.
When my twin daughters joined the club, I resumed my active participation. Encouraged by Dr. David Hunt, another founding member, I renewed my Judge 1 and Judge 2 qualifications and went on to complete the Referee exam. Since then, I have officiated at numerous Open Meets, national competitions, and international selection events.
My interest in open water swimming was sparked when one of my daughters explored this discipline. I subsequently qualified as an open water referee, which led to the honour of being nominated to the FINA list in 2011. I was then selected to officiate at the 2012 London Olympics which was a real honour.
Since then, I have represented British Swimming at World Championship events in countries including Italy, Hungary, Japan, and Ukraine. I now write and deliver training for Open Water Officials and also provide training for pool officiating.
In addition to my club responsibilities, I serve on the Derbyshire ASA Executive Committee and the British Swimming Officials Group as an Open Water specialist.
Katie Westwood
Treasurer
I took on the role of Treasurer (and website coordinator) after Rykneld's AGM in November 2024. My daughters swim competitively for Rykneld, and I wanted to do my bit to support the club they love.
I'm always available by e-mail or in person to answer any finance questions parents may have. In my day job, I'm a Business Manager in a local school, and hold several school governance positions.
I have also recently completed my online training to be a J1 official, and am now a J1 trainee timekeeper officiating at Open Meets.
Judie Mayolfi-Rebaudi
Vice Chair & Membership Secretary
I first dove into the club as a Masters swimmer and never looked back. Now, with grandchildren making waves in the pool, swimming has truly become a family tradition. When not supporting the club behind the scenes, you may find me helping on pool side or sneaking in a few lengths. I am dedicated to keeping the club a fun and welcoming place for swimmers of all ages.
Laura Stopps
Welfare Officer
I joined the Rykneld Committee following the AGM in November 2024. My daughter swims competitively and I wanted to get more involved in the running of the club. My role as Welfare Officer fits with my safeguarding responsibilities in my job as a paediatric physiotherapist and safeguarding supervisor in the NHS as well as my other voluntary role as the safeguarding governor at a local primary school. If you have any concerns or just want to chat something through, feel free to speak to me or drop me an e-mail via the welfare e-mail address on the website.
Michelle Reid
Welfare Officer
I joined the committee to support the club after seeing how much my daughter enjoys swimming at Rykneld . In May 2025, I took on the role of Welfare Officer alongside Laura,a role that fits well with my background in teaching, child welfare, and my experience as a primary school governor with a focus on safeguarding. I’m always happy to help and want all swimmers to feel safe, supported, and confident both in and out of the pool. If you ever have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
Kirsty Morley
Volunteer Coordinator & Parent Liaison
I'm our Parent Liaison and Volunteer Coordinator. You'll find me on the spectator gallery and I'm more than happy to be approached for a chat about any questions or concerns parents may have. My son Rex swims competitively for the club.
By day I'm a Dental Hygiene/Therapist treating a range of both adults and children in the NHS and private section just outside of Chesterfield. I've been doing this for 20 years and am passionate within my role. My hobbies include netball, walking my two dogs and reading.
Amy Roberts
Swimming Head Coach
Rykneld Swimming Club runs in my blood; my granddad was one of the founding members and my mum was also a member of the club from an early age and is still an active member. I started swimming for Rykneld at the age of 7, where I fell in love with the sport. Throughout the years I started to volunteer and help with the learn to swim programme where I found my love of teaching the younger generation - I became a qualified Level 2 teacher. While I was at University I was Learn to Swim Co-Ordinator and oversaw the programme. Whilst doing this I became a Level 1 coach shortly followed by my Level 2 qualification. Since becoming a qualified Level 2 coach I fell in love with the sport all over again and saw what coaching could give to these young swimmers. I believe that every swimmer should be given the opportunity to thrive within the sport; both swimming and para swimming. I helped our very own Learn to Swim teacher Kai get to the World Para Championships. I continue to help guide and coach our swimmers with swimmers to reach Midland level.
My qualifications include:
• Level 2 Swimming Coach
• Level 1 Swimming Coach
• Level 2 Swimming Teacher
• Level 1 Swimming Teacher
• Technical Swimming Official- Starter
• Artistic Swimming Teacher Level 1
• Deliverer of Swim England Team Manager Courses.
Alyssa Ward
Artistic Swimming 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 a 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 Artistic Swimming Coach (Level 2) qualification in 2018. I became Head Coach in 2019 and have since had the pleasure of growing the club 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 in 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.
Evie Greenhalgh
Social Media
Teacher & Coach
I joined the artistic side of the club 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 masters age I then started to volunteer as a coach and loved it so much I decided to do my swimming teacher qualifications. I started teaching Learn to Swim and when our pool closed I started assisting our Head Coach Amy with running squad sessions. She encouraged me to do my Level 1 coaching qualification and I now coach the junior squad under her mentorship.
My qualifications include:
Level 1 Swim Teacher
Level 2 Swim Teacher
Level 1 Artistic Swim Coach
Level 1 Swimming Coach
Team Manager
Mia Hudson
Social Media Competition Secretary
Coach
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 have completed both my Level 1 Assistant and Level 2 Artistic Swimming Coach qualifications, and I am also a Level 1 Artistic Swimming Judge. I am now on the committee as Artistic Swimming Competition Secretary, in charge of the competition entries and admin. In my non-swimming spare time I work in retail and am learning to ice (figure) skate as a hobby.
Wendy Ellis
Committee Member Vice Treasurer
My daughter joined the artistic swimming group in 2021 when she was 10 years old. She has loved learning new skills, making new friends and having the experience of competing. I joined the committee in September 2024 to support the club and hold the role of vice treasurer. I have worked in the NHS for the past 27 years and have held senior leadership and safeguarding roles in this time.