Repton School has announced the appointment of Jamie Main, former Aquatics GB National Coach, as its new Director of Swimming, effective January 2025. Main joins the prestigious Derbyshire school following a successful stint at the Bath Performance Centre, where he most recently contributed to Team GB’s swimming success at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Main’s appointment marks a significant coup for Repton’s swimming programme, which has seen remarkable growth since its establishment in 2019. His recent accomplishments include coaching Kieran Bird to Olympic gold as part of the men’s 4x200m freestyle relay team in Paris, and previously guiding Jacob Whittle to the Tokyo Olympics at just 16 years of age.
“We have enjoyed remarkable success on the regional, national, and international stage since we founded the Repton swimming programme in 2019,” said Repton’s Headmaster Mark Semmence. “We know that Jamie’s considerable experience and credentials as one of Britain’s leading swimming coaches will give pupils and club members the leadership necessary to build on our recent success.”
The appointment comes at a time when Repton’s swimming programme is already making waves in competitive swimming. The school celebrated the selection of Eva Okaro for Team GB’s Women’s Freestyle Relay Team at the 2024 Paris Olympics, while Megan Neave achieved a commendable fourth place in the 100m Backstroke at the Paralympic Games. The school also recently secured fourth place in The 2024 National Arena League Final.
Main Brings High Level Experience to Repton School
Main brings extensive experience from his time in the East Midlands region, where he spent the majority of his coaching career at Nova Centurion and Derventio Excel. During this period, he was instrumental in developing several elite swimmers, including World Championship medallist Jacob Whittle and European medallist Imogen Clark.
“I’m delighted to be joining Repton,” Main commented. “The School and the swimming programme offers a unique opportunity for emerging talent. Our goal is to guide swimmers towards their full potential and Repton is the perfect environment to facilitate this.”
Reflecting on his departure from Aquatics GB, Main expressed gratitude for his experiences: “Working at the Performance Centres in Bath and Loughborough over the last four years has been an honour. To be selected as an Olympic coach and guide a swimmer to a gold medal in Paris was a very proud moment.”
Aquatics GB Performance Director Chris Spice acknowledged Main’s contributions: “Jamie played a crucial part at the Bath Performance Centre across the Paris Olympic cycle and was a valuable member of the coaching staff throughout multiple international meets. We wish him all the best for the future and look forward to seeing the impact he makes in his new role at Repton.”
Main’s appointment coincides with significant changes in British swimming’s coaching landscape, following the retirement of Bill Furniss as head coach and Mel Marshall’s departure to Australia’s Griffith University Swim Club. Main will be joined at Repton by his wife, with the couple expecting their first child in the near future.
