Hi, my name is Fiona and I am one of the founders of S.W.I.M.

​

I have always been a very active individual and from a young age I took part in a range of sports including cross-country running, basketball, tennis, Gaelic football and of course, swimming. My swimming journey began when I was 3-months old with my family taking me to the Valley Leisure centre every Sunday for a morning dip. When I was old enough, I joined swimming lessons at the Arena Health and Fitness Club in North Belfast and at age 7 I joined Alliance Swimming Club where I progressed through the Learn to Swim program before joining the competitive club.

​

At age 13 I moved to Lisburn Swimming Club where I started to take my swimming a little more seriously. At this stage swimming became a major part of life, rising at 4:30am to train in the mornings before school then returning to the pool in the evening to complete my second session of the day followed by regular evening gym sessions. For the next few years I was completing 8-10 swimming sessions a week and 2-3 land training/ gym session. I competed at regional and national competitions such as Ulster Championships, Irish Nationals and the Irish Olympic trials and spent time on both the Ulster and Irish junior squads.​ I continued swimming through university representing the swim team on several occasions at varsities and BUCS. I studied Sport and Exercise Science at Ulster University and graduated with a 2:1 in July 2020. I then went on to study a MSc in Sports and Exercise Nutrition and graduated with Commendation in July 2023 as a qualified Sports Nutritionist.

 

Over the course of my 8 years of teaching swimming I have completed my level 1 & 2 swim teaching and level 1 swim coaching qualifications through Swim Ireland. I have worked for a range of swim schools in and around Belfast and through this I have had the opportunity to work with adults and children of all ages and abilities. As I have been through all the stages of swimming myself, progressing from learn to swim to a competitive club environment, I believe I have the knowledge and experience to help anyone gain water confidence and get swimming.

​

I look forward to seeing you at the pool!

​

Fiona 😊