Coaches - Falcon Swimming Club

Mandy Barker – Joint Head Coach
Kirsty Wright – Joint Head Coach

Hi I’m Kirsty, joint Head Coach for Falcon

My swimming life began when I was introduced to water by my parents at a very young age. Many an evening would be spent at Hucknall Swimming Baths, Noel Street baths or Ken Martin. I have taken part in competitive swimming, lifesaving, snorkelling, kayaking and boating.

I had a childhood dream to be a swim teacher just like my Auntie, little did I know it would come true.

Fast forward many years, at age 7 my daughter asked if she could join Falcon. One session I was talking to the Head Coach about our swimming days and the next thing I knew I was stood next to him on deck – I’m not sure I saw that coming (he did J ) I spent three months being directly mentored by Ian Melvin before I took a lane on my own.

When I’m not on deck you’ll find me at my full-time job, where I am a Trainer Assessor for childcare practitioners on apprenticeships and work based learning programmes.

Imogen Gould – Head of Development

“Hi, I’m Imogen Gould, the Head of Development Squad at Falcon. Swimming is a huge part of my life with Falcon at the heart of it!
I joined Falcon in 2003 and swam in many galas and I competed at my first county championships at 12 years old. Training at Falcon then enabled me to be selected to join the Nottinghamshire County Squad Nova Centurion when I was 13. I trained pretty much everyday with Nova for 6 years and competed at multiple open meets and championships throughout the country. I have been County and regional champion in multiple events over many years, and became a National medalist at 19.
Alongside swimming I completed 10 GCSEs, 3 A Levels, a BSc degree in Sport and Exercise Science and a MSc Degree in Sports Medicine.

Outside of coaching Falcon, I have worked as a Sports scientist for Swim England & Nova Centurion, and have been lucky enough to work with some incredible athletes.

Currently, I work for the NHS in Oncology Research. I have also been vaccinating for the COVID-19 pandemic!

Over the years, I have learnt a lot from the coaches at Falcon and I wish to carry that into the future generation of swimmers 😊”