Meet the AST Coaching Team
Our club is powered by a dedicated and passionate team of qualified coaches and teachers. With experience ranging from grassroots development to international Masters competition, our coaches are committed to helping every swimmer achieve their personal best in a supportive and friendly environment.
Get to know the team below!
Our Lead Coaches
Nic Hazelton
Head Coach & World Masters Champion
Qualifications: Swim England Level 2 Coach, Level 2 Teacher
About Nic: Nic has been a competitive swimmer since the age of 5, achieving top rankings at County and Regional level in her signature 50m and 100m Backstroke events. Her passion for competition continued into Masters swimming, where she achieved a top-3 national ranking and won Gold and Bronze medals at the 2005 World Masters Games in Canada.
Nic loves to help our swimmers achieve their goals and was deservedly nominated for the Swim England South West Coach of the Year award in 2023. Outside of the pool, she is an Architectural Technician.
Oliver Astill
Lead Development Coach
Qualifications: Swim England Level 2 Coach
About Oliver: Oliver is a fantastic example of our club's community spirit. He first joined us as a swim parent and volunteer Team Manager at galas. Inspired by the team, he completed his Level 1 coaching qualification in 2024 and quickly became an integral part of the coaching team, before achieving his Level 2 qualification in early 2025.
As a swim team parent himself, Ollie has a great understanding of a swimmer's journey and is a key figure in developing our competitive squads.
Lewis Plume
Junior Squad Lead Coach
Qualifications: Swim England Level 2 Coach
About Lewis: Lewis joined the team in 2024 with a specific mission: to lead our newly formed Junior Squad. He excels at developing the skills and confidence of our youngest swimmers as they transition from lessons into club swimming.
With a focus on making training both fun and competitive, Lewis plays a vital role in organising our entries into team galas, giving our new swimmers their first exciting taste of racing as part of the AST family.
Our Coaches & Teachers
Lewis Duggan
Coach & Performance Squad Swimmer
Qualifications: Swim England Level 1 Coach, Level 2 Teacher
About Lewis: Lewis has been a dedicated AST swimmer since 2015 and is a perfect role model for our younger athletes. He balances his own training in the Performance Squad with his work as a Level 2 Swim Teacher and developing coach.
He is the reigning County Champion and Club Record Holder in the 100m Butterfly and has won multiple County and Regional medals. Lewis brings his competitive experience to his coaching, inspiring the next generation while still leading the charge in the pool.
Tom Brice
Coach & Swim Teacher
Qualifications: Swim England Level 1 Coach, Level 2 Teacher
About Tom: Tom will be a familiar face to many of our families, having taught many of our newest members to swim at the Academy. Having found his passion for swimming through teaching, Tom began gaining coaching experience with the team in 2024 and achieved his Level 1 coaching qualification in April 2025.
His skill as an instructor was recognised with a nomination for the Swim England Teacher of the Year award in 2024, and he is now keen to continue developing his coaching skills on poolside.
Chris Wood
Junior Squad Coach
Qualifications: Swim England Level 1 Coach
About Chris: Chris joined us in April 2024 to work alongside Lewis Plume in supporting our Junior Squad. He is a key part of the team that welcomes our youngest swimmers into the club.
Chris provides fantastic support during training sessions and is a regular presence at team galas, helping to guide our new swimmers through their first competition experiences.
