Coaching Staff

Martin was appointed Head Coach at Wharenui in early 2005, after moving to New Zealand from England, where he was Head Coach at the Otter Swimming Club in London.  He is a UK ASA qualified & NZ Silver coach who brings to Wharenui a wealth of first-hand knowledge of swimming, including skill and technique, land training application, mental preparation and nutritional education, having trained a number of world-class open water swimmers such as triathletes and Channel swimmers in the UK.  Martin had a long and illustrious international swimming career.  He swam for Great Britain for 15 years, was a double Olympian, attended five World Championships and three Commonwealth Games 94,98,02, winning Commonwealth Gold in the 100 Backstroke in 1994 & silver in the medley relay in 1998.  During his career, Martin broke more than 50 British swimming records with his longest standing records being the 50m & 100m backstroke which he held for 12 years.  His last major meet for GB before officially retiring was the Manchester Commonwealth Games in 2002 where he made two finals and was the fastest backstroker over 50m in Britain. 

headcoach@wharenui.co.nz

William Campbell took over as Assistant Coach in mid-2016 after many years of coaching throughout the Wharenui squad pathway, from Learn To Swim and Technique to Squads.  William has been swimming with the club since he was a kid and is extremely passionate about the club.  He is the current club captain and has a wealth of swimming experience, including representing the club at two Queensland State Champs.   Throughout his career he has collected numerous LC/SC NAGs medals, top 10 Opens places and two Bronze medals at Queensland State Champs.  In 2012 Will was selected as part of the New Zealand team for the Trans-Tasman Tri Series and was selected for the Makos in the Zonal Championship in 2016.  He holds various SCWC records and is the current Opens Men’s 100m Backstroke holder.  Will continues to swim under Martin in the National squad as well as coach water polo through Canterbury Water Polo.   Will coaches Prep, Intermediate and Development squads.