COACHES AND COMMITTEE
COACHES
All of our coaches are fully trained and insured, DBS checked, and are some of the most experienced in the sport.
SUSAN INNES – Head Coach
A member of Seymour since 1963, Susan won a place in the Great Britain Squad for 4 years consecutively and performed in front of HRH Queen Elizabeth II in a routine called the ‘Beefeaters’ choreographed by club founder Dawn Zajac.
Since competing over the last 28 years in the Masters, she has been a Gold, Silver and Bronze Medallist in the UK Nationals, European Masters and World Championships, competing in Solo, Duet, Trio and Team events. She was awarded Swimmer of the Year for London for achieving 3 Gold Medals in the UK National Masters in 2009. She has also judged in the UK and at European events through her career.
Sue helped to make history at the ASA Masters Synchronised Swimming Championships in November 2016 when she and Derde Exposito took part in the 40-49yrs duet and won gold, becoming the first mixed duet ever to compete in Great Britain.
Souad Abdellaoui – Senior Coach
Souad is Seymour Club Chair and Coach. A National judge and a qualified level 2 Team Manager. Souad also holds qualifications in Coaching Disabled People in Sport, Equality in Coaching, Child Protection and Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults as well as having a Time to Listen Certificate (Welfare Officer qualification).
Coming from a very varied sporting background, Souad was a speed swimmer, national basketballer and national table tennis player. She was introduced to synchronised swimming as a parent and has successfully coached and trained junior teams, winning regional and national competitions.
Souad was London Synchro Manager for over 6 years until she stood down due to health issues. She is still a member of the London Region Artistic Swimming committee and London Region Athletes and Officials Development Officer.
Souad’s biggest achievement is getting All London Regional clubs to agree to form the London Region Synchronised Swimming Squad that was launched in June 2014.
Sondus Hassounah – Coach
Sondus is a level two coach – She brings to the club 18 years of Synchro experience, 8 years of which as a national team swimmer (Egypt) having participated in international, world cups and youth Olympics competitions. She also has 5 years of experience as a coach and judge.
Emma Holloway – Coach
Emma started synchro at the age of 9 swimming for Chippenham and at the age of 12 was invited to swim with Bristol Central Swimming Club. She was lucky enough to be selected onto national squads prior to being selected to swim at the Junior Europeans for Great Britain in Belgrade, Serbia in 2011.
Emma continued synchro on the national stage until retiring from competition in 2015 after winning 3 team golds, a duet gold and silver and a silver solo medal at the England National Championships. She is now part of Aquabatix, a company that creates innovative synchro based entertainment for live events and on-screen globally, where she has been involved in many events including Sport Relief and performing at the opening of the Burj al Arab swimming pool and terrace in Dubai.
Emma started coaching while she was still swimming, as she wanted to help develop the next generation of synchronised swimmers. She did her level 2 swimming teaching and synchronised swimming coach qualification when she turned 17, and while in her last year at the University at Bath studying Sports & Exercise, she coached the 12 & under City of Bristol competitive squad, as well as doing several one-to-ones and some coaching with the Beacon Squad. Following graduation, Emma moved for a job in London and began coaching with Seymour. Emma is also a level one judge is planning to do her level 2 very soon.
Charlotte Lea –Coach
Charlotte joined Seymour 38 years ago and was coached by founder Dawn Zajac. She has competed in the National, World and European Masters Championships achieving Gold, Silver and Bronze in her events.
She has been a constant and relentless supporter of the club, putting in long hours to ensure it has gained the recognition and support it needed to move forward. She was Middlesex President in 2009, and was the driving force in helping the Club gain ASA Swim 21 status, the first London Synchro Club to do so.
Naomi Gould – Coach
Naomi started synchro at the age of 8 with her sister Alecia, who was 6 at the time. As juniors they swam for the Medway Mermaids, often as a duo. As an older swimmer she worked as an assistant coach but she gave up the sport when she was 18. After many years off synchro, in 2017 Naomi and her sister discovered that they could swim as Masters with Seymour Synchro. They now compete at the British National Masters every year and have also had the opportunity to compete abroad in Italy and Belgium. Naomi’s highlight has been coming 3rd in the Free Team division at Brussels with the “Fire” routine.
In October 2018 Naomi completed her Level 1 & 2 coaching qualifications and since then has been coaching the Under 13s at Seymour – the youngest member is 8, and the oldest is 13.
COMMITTEE
The club is supported by our volunteer committee members.
Souad Abdellaoui – Chairman
Souad has been our club chair for fourteen years. Souad ensures we are fully Swim England accredited and is our liaison with the ASA making sure we are compliant with policies and procedures, e.g. health and safety, covid, risk assessments etc.
Souad is also the juniors competition secretary.
BELINDA KOH & Julie Steele – Joint treasurers and fundraisers
Belinda and Julie administer all of the clubs fees, ASA payments and general finances. They are also responsible for fundraising for club activities.
Eva Rodriguez – Welfare Officer
Eva is been with the club for eight years as a coach and eight years as welfare officer. Eva supports our swimmers and coaches during their time with Seymour.
Naomi Gould – Secretary
In addition to her coaching duties and swimming with the masters, we are fortunate that Naomi also finds the time to be our club secretary.
Elizabeth Winter – Masters Competition Secretary
Elizabeth enters masters swimmers into competitions and sends full information of schedules.
If you would like to help or volunteer please get in touch, we are always looking for team managers, fundraisers, videographers and photographers!