We are extremely fortunate to have such an excellent coaching team here at Durham. Our coaching structures are world-class, and our staff bring a depth of international coaching and playing experience to the programme. Many of our sports programmes contain full-time performance coaches, who dedicate their time to supporting our student-athletes to achieve both their academic and sporting potential.
Here at Durham, we recognise the importance of not only our coaching staff, but our fleet of staff who work behind the scenes rehabilitating our athletes, endorsing healthy lifestyles and healthy mindsets, conditioning our athletes and making them stronger and many more experts. Read on for further information on our supporting staff who work around the clock to provide that additional support.
Prior to Durham, Danny was a former FBU Europe and GB U19 Assistant Coach. He has now retained his role at Durham for 6 years, and as the Defensive Coordinator for the 2017-2018 period, led the team to a National Championship win.
Contact Danny for more information on Durham University's American Football Team.
Official webpage for American Football
Matt has been a freelance Level 2 badminton coach since 2006, and oversees the badminton programme here at Durham. When he's not at The Sport and Wellbeing Park, Matt coaches The British Army Badminton Team, as well as engaging in individual and group work across the North East. Matt's previous roles within the Badminton industry included assistant coach at Teesside performance centre, tutor for Junior Leader Awards, a College Coach, Secondary and Primary School Coach.
Performance-wise, Matt has competed on the National Circuit for over 20 years, reaching highs of top 20 rankings in singles and mixed doubles. In his time at Durham, Matt and the team have achieved excellent individual results at BUCS Individual Nationals, reaching the semi-finals stages. The club have maintained a high standard within the elite league, with the men's first team competing in premier division since 2014. Matt's most recent accomplishment was partner-matching Durham athletes with the Zambian Commonwealth Games Team, providing excellent training opportunities and competitive matches in advance of Birmingham 2022.
Contact Matt for more information on Durham University's Badminton Club.
Official webpage for Badminton.
In previous roles, Lee has held positions such as Fiba Europe U16 Head Coach, Basketball England's U15/16 Head Coach from 2006-2016, and GB U20 Coach. As well as withholding Head of Basketball at Team Durham for 6 years, Lee has also dominated the Women's Basketball League, leading as Head Coach for the Durham Palatinates. During Lee's time at Durham, he has overseen two BUCS National Championship wins in 2012 and 2018, including WBBL Cup finalists in 2020 and Trophy finalists in 2019 and 2020; predominantly coaching the women's team.
Lee has a wealth of experience working within basketball, and oversees the basketball programme here at Durham. Lee holds his athletes testimony to his favourite Durham sporting memories, flourishing over the years with hundreds of players who have come through the system; whilst pursuing their education and playing the game they all love.
Contact Lee about Women's Basketball, and the professional team Durham Palatinates.
Ian brings over 20 years of coaching experience to the role of Men's basketball coach. His CV is populated with an outstanding career track as Regional Coach in 2015-2016, former NBL Coach of the Year, England's U15 Coach 2015-2017, whilst holding 8 BUCS League Championships and 4 NBL National Titles.
Outside of Basketball at Durham, Ian manages The Institute of Sport and Education at Bede Sixth Form College.
One of the greatest achievements within Ian's coaching career included taking Durham's previous Division 3 BUCS team, progressing them to BUCS Premiership as a player coach. Similarly, Ian supported and progressed his prior club from NBL Division 4, up to Division 1. Ian's highlighted sporting memory whilst here at Durham was taking the men's team to their first Final 8's Competition back in 2010, after 3 back-to-back promotions.
Contact Ian with any queries relating to Men's Basketball at Durham.
Official webpage for University Basketball.
Rob joined DUBC as Head of Rowing in 2021. Rob has spent over 10 years coaching the best that Great Britain has to offer, having spent five years as a high-performance coach at Leander before stepping into his position coaching on the GB Team. Here, Rob coached multiple crews to world medals, including two silvers for the Men’s pair in 2014 and 2015 behind the formidable New Zealand pair. At the Rio Olympics, Rob coached DUBC Alumnus, Stewart Innes, to a 4th place in the Men’s pair. In previous roles, Rob was the Director of Rowing at Wallingford RC, a British Rowing High Performance Centre, culminating in the club producing a number of Olympic and World level athletes.
Rob was attracted to the role at DUBC after spending 10 weeks coaching the Men’s squad in the leadup to Henley 2021. He saw opportunities for the club to reach it’s full potential and loved the atmosphere and commitment that the athletes fostered. The athletes have full confidence in Rob to help us deliver the club’s goals in the leadup to the 150th anniversary in 2027. The goal is to reinstate Durham as the leading university boat club in the country, winning races on the biggest stages and increasing the number of athletes selected for the national team. For us, this means winning the men’s and women’s eights categories at Henley Royal Regatta for the first time in DUBC history.
Contact Rob about the World leading facilities Durham has to offer, the club, coaches and athlete sport.
A former Durham alumnus from 2011, Will held the position of Development Coach shortly after graduating. After pursuing a career as an international rower, Will has recently been appointed the position of Lead Rowing Coach in 2022. Will's extensive history as a performance athlete brings courage, passion and experience of the pathway to his role. Will has represented Great Britain since the age of 15, winning numerous international medals and GB trials three times. Will's successes continued in his rowing career, succeeding as a 2010 Under23 World Champion, 2012 European Silver medal, 2013 and 2015 Bronze World Cup winner, 7th place in Rio Olympics in 2016 and World Cup Gold in 2017.
Contact Will with any questions on rowing for DUBC as a performance athlete.
Before coming to Durham, Holly rowed and coached at Chester-Le-Street Amateur Rowing Club from 2007 - 2020. She commenced her rowing career as a learn-to-row coach for both juniors and seniors at the club, progressing into the coaching team being allocated a junior squad. Holly spent the following 6 years coaching different squads within the club of all levels and abilities, including athletes who went on to trial within the GB junior system. Outside of Chester-le-Street, Holly held coaching roles at various other clubs and schools, including York City, setting up an academy for rowing at Park View School, coached at Queen Elizabeth High School and sat on the Northern Rowing Council as an Assistant Junior Coordinator. Holly upheld multiple roles within the clubs she has worked in, supporting her position at DUBC, including club captain, junior club captain, school development officer and training camp leader.
Holly moved to Durham University Boat Club as an Assistant Rowing Coach in 2021, eager to be involved in the Club's upstanding ethos and position within the rowing community. DUBC has supported Holly's next steps in her coaching career, working alongside high-performance coaches and continuing to grow and learn as a coach. Holly is enthusiastic, and excited to introduce new people into the sport of rowing; helping them on their journey through the sport and the club.
Contact Holly about DUBC's learn-to-row programme, sculling camps and everything Development Squad related.
Official webpage for the Boat Club.
Mel’s professional cricketing career spanned over thirteen years, playing for Durham CCC, Warwickshire CCC & Middlesex CCC, including over 100 first class games. He also represented England U19s in a home series against India and played on an away tour of Sri Lank. In 1998/1999 Mel played in an England A tour to Zimbabwe and South Africa.
Mel started his coaching journey in 2005 working with Middlesex Academy before becoming a coaching consultant; he has worked with Durham CCC, South Northumberland CC, Newcastle University and was assistant coach with the Yorkshire Diamond’s in the Woman’s KSL super league. Mel holds a current ECB L4 master coaching qualification.
In 2019 Mel took over as Head of Cricket at Durham University and overseas all DU cricket.
Contact Mel with any queries relating to playing high-performance cricket at Durham.
Official webpage for Men's Cricket.
Official webpage for Women's Cricket.
Adam is a vastly experienced tutor and Coach Mentor for the FA. He is also a former FA CCD (Northumberland & Jersey) & FA Women's Technical Talent Coach (North East). His role covers coaching in grassroot football, further education and higher education backgrounds.
In 2015, after Durham University Men's First Team secured promotion that season, they then won Northern 2B and Northern 1A in consecutive years, under the guidance of former Durham City boss Adam Furness, to earn a place in the six-team Premier North.
Contact Adam about football at Durham.
Chris joined Derby Futsal Club as men's first team coach in 2021. Chris adds a vast amount of experience to the team, already having a UEFA B coaching badge. He has coached in America and has a wide range of knowledge in English football, in the Women’s Super League with Durham Women. Also, in futsal, he has coached Durham Palatinates, Durham University and Newcastle Football Club.
Contact Chris about football at Durham.
Official webpage for Men's Football.
Official webpage for Women's Football.
With almost 8 years experience as Head of Hockey at Team Durham, Gareth came to Durham with a strong performance sport background from both Nottingham Trent University and The University of Leeds. Not only does Gareth oversee Head of Hockey at Durham, but also holds the position of Deputy Head of Sport (coaching). Gareth boasts impressive coaching accomplishments from the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games, to FIH Series Finals Valencia, FIH Hockey Series Open Lithuania, FIH World League 2 Malaysia and two European Championships.
During his time at the club, one of Gareth's greatest achievements included being ranked the #1 BUCS University for Hockey in 2018 and 2020. Performance-wise, Gareth emboldened the promotion of the Men's 1st team into the England Hockey Premier League in 2020; attaining the highest domestic level for the first time in DUHC history. In the same successive year, both 1st teams and 2nd teams made all four BUCS National Championship Finals in 2020. Gareth also overseen the 1st team's victory of BUCS National Champions in 2018; the first time in 26 years. Out of all the success the club has achieved under Gareth's reign, his embedded Durham memory will always be seeing the journey and development of athletes within the Hockey programme, from their first steps onto the pitch to their graduation - seeing the growth of an individual both on and off the pitch.
Contact Gareth as Head of Hockey.
Matt is currently the lead for the DUHC Women's Hockey Programme, whilst playing in the National Premier Division for DUHC Men's 1st team. Matt held the role of First Team Head Coach for Whitley Bay and Tynemouth Hockey Club from 2016-2020, where he moved to the Head Coach role for U16 Girls at Pennine Pumas for the 2021/2022 season.
Contact Matt if you are interested in women's hockey.
Sarah came as support coach to DUHC 7 years ago and during that time has worked as lead coach for the Women’s 2s and, for the last four seasons, as lead coach for the Men’s 2s. Sarah also leads our Squad B training programme. Amongst her commitment to performance coaching in the region, Sarah is currently Head Coach for the Boys Programme at the England Hockey Performance Centre.During her time at Durham, one of Sarah’s largest successes has been leading the M2s to promotion into the National League North Conference, as well as making BUCS finals in the 2019/2020 season. It was also one of Sarah’s proudest moments to lead the W2s to DUHCs first win of the day at BUCS finals in 2018, a day she will never forget!
Contact Sarah with any queries on playing for the 2nd teams at Durham.
Official webpage for Durham University Hockey.
As a performance athlete, Eddie took home the gold at the British Junior Trials in 1977. Eddie now coaches the Judo team here at Durham.
Contact Eddie for information on Judo at Durham.
Official webpage for Durham University Judo.
Sam has a strong history as a performance athlete in Karate, a second Dan blackbelt by the age of 14, invited to the England Squad trials. Sam's most recent successes at Northern Regionals in 2019 brought him home a gold in Adult Team Kata, silver in Senior Male Individual Kumite and Senior Male Team Kumite, and a bronze in Senior Male Dan Grade Kata. Sam is a coach and a mentor for our Team Durham karate athletes.
Contact Sam for information on Karate at Durham.
Official webpage for Durham University Karate.
In her other roles, Gel is a netball coach and a publican at Grangetown Netball. In 2019, Gel was nominated for Coach/Mentor of the Year - Gazette Sports Awards. She fulfils a part-time coaching job at Durham with the DUNC squad.
Contact Geraldine about netball here at Durham.
Official webpage for Netball.
Si has travelled the world to deliver successful rugby programmes in the likes of New Zealand, Canada and Australia. Si is an experienced, driven and successful rugby coach who has worked with representative and contracted players for 15 years. Si's coaching style has enabled him to gel into Durham RFU since his inauguration of the role in 2019, with a track record of delivering on-field success in exceptionally competitive environments, not only through high-quality, player-centred, delivery but also by developing a positive culture and building a strong team identity. Si is a previous alumnus to Durham University and RFU, and since his return has coached both Men and Women's first teams to BUCS Super Rugby league titles in the same season.
Si brings to the table 15 seasons of BUCS rugby coaching experience, including 3 seasons coaching club rugby in New Zealand. His CV is showered in coaching CPD and success, such as World Rugby Coach Educator, won NZRU Performance Coaching Award, Completing RFU Level 4 in 2022 and is a TASS Talented Athlete Lifestyle Advisor. A key highlight in Si's player performance profiles has been seeing his players go on to play for England Men and Women, England U20s Men & Women, All Blacks 7s, Black Ferns, Wellington Lions, Wellington Hurricanes & Canada Men and Women.
Contact Si about playing rugby here at Durham.
DUWRFC was founded 35 years ago by Cameron Henderson, who still leads the club and this rich history of rugby excellence has fostered international talent in both 15s and 7s. CAm has been at the helm for over three and a half decades, developing DUWRFC into the largest University Women's Club in the UK.
Contact Cam about Women's Rugby at Durham.
Official webpage for Durham University Men's Rugby Union.
Official webpage for Durham University Women's Rugby Union.
Mark is a Level-4 Performance Squash Coach, and whilst he coaches Durham University's Squash Team, he is also a freelance coach, England Squash Tutor and Assessor. Mark was also the Regional Manager for England Squash for over 10 years. Prior to coaching, Mark was a professional football player based in Pontefract. He holds a postgraduate diploma in high performance sports coaching.
Contact Mark on playing squash at Durham.
Official webpage for Durham's Squash Club.
TBC
Contact Adam if you are interested in competitive table tennis.
Official webpage for Table Tennis at Durham.
Contact Annie if you are interested in competitive ultimate frisbee.
Official webpage for Ultimate Frisbee at Durham.
Prior to Durham, Dave's role as a Volleyball Coach commenced at Northumbria University, where he withheld the role of Head Volleyball Coach for 8 years. Towards the back end of his career at Northumbria, Dave undertook the role of England Senior Lead Volleyball Coach for the men and women's team for one year, followed by Senior Women's Head Volleyball Coach for the following 2 years at Volleyball England. Dave came to Durham in 2019 as Head Volleyball Coach. Alongside leading the volleyball team to victory, Dave also works as an Athlete Recruitment Coordinator at Durham. Other career highlights include Team GB Olympics Assistant Coach, FIVB International Coach and Volleyball England's Coach of the Year for 2013 and 2015.
During his time at Durham, Dave's passion for performance has embedded into his team and their success. The 2021-2022 has been a highlighted season for Dave, seeing the team win 7 titles; including the Women's 1st Team winning the BUCS League, BUCS Championship and National Super League. The Women's 2nd Team also took home a win for the BUCS League and Trophy champions. Meanwhile, the Men's 1st Team won the BUCS League and were crowned National Super league Champions. Dave's favourite memory whilst being at Durham was seeing both teams lifting the National Super League winner's trophies at the presentation event in Kettering; all getting their gold medals.
Prior to joining Durham for the start of the 2022/23 season, Paul had held coaching positions at both Northumbria and Newcastle University. After retiring from playing in 2016, Paul joined fellow Durham Head Coach, Dave Goodchild, on his coaching staff at Northumbria University as an assistant coach, where he spent 5 years with their programme winning multiple national titles across both the men’s and women’s game.
Whilst coaching at Northumbria, Paul also worked with the England U19 Women’s National Team. After a brief spell as assistant coach, he then progressed to the head coach position, and is now currently working with the Senior Women’s Team. Paul now looks after the men's team here at Durham, whilst maintaining a role as Curriculum Team Leader at Middlesbrough College, where he is also Head of Volleyball for their academy programme.
Ross was also a fellow Northumbria University Volleyball coach prior to coming to Durham, where for 7 years he held the role of assistant coach and statistician for Team Northumbria. The statistician role involves completing statistics during live games to support the coaches with the tools available to formulate plans for future games and identify opportunities in current games. From 2015, Ross supported Volleyball England in a similar role, supporting England's Junior Men's Team through coaching and talent development. Ross made his move to Durham in 2019, whilst maintaining a job with The Student Loan's Company.
A former water polo player himself, Alex played NCAA Water Polo at The University of California, Irvine for 4 years, then went on to play and coach at Durham for 6 years. Alex is a Durham alumnus from the department of Anthropology for his Masters, then onto Sport and Exercise Sciences, where he studied his PhD. Since being in Durham from 2014, Alex has made his move into the Student Enrichment Department as Head Coach and Director of Water Polo Operations, as well as Postgraduate Recruitment Coordinator.
During Alex's reign at Durham, he has seen the University Water Polo Club win 6 National titles an 1 Trophy Championship. When reminiscing his favourite sporting memory, Alex draws on the history of home water polo matches at Freeman's Quay, where the seats are filled with spectators.
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