Jamie Main is leaving his role as Aquatics GB National Coach at the Bath Performance Centre to become Director of Swimming at Repton School, Aquatics GB announced today.

Main joined the team in Bath, south-west England, in 2022 as National Coach for Olympic swimming and joined up with Bath National Centre Lead Coach David McNulty.

Main played a key role into Paris 2024, coaching Kieran Bird to Olympic gold as a prelims swimmer with the men’s 4x200m freestyle relay.

He will now return to the East Midlands region, where he has spent the majority of his coaching career at Nova Centurion and subsequently bringing through the likes of World Championship medallist Jacob Whittle and European medallist Imogen Clark at Derventio Excel.

Main also spent time with Aquatics GB at the Loughborough Performance Centre, while he has been a regular on senior international coaching teams in that time, including at his debut Olympics in Paris.

Main, who is set to become a father for the first time, said:

“Working at the Performance Centres in Bath and Loughborough over the last four years has been an honour. Walking on deck as a national coach to work with world-class swimmers had always been an ambition. To be selected as an Olympic coach and guide a swimmer to a gold medal in Paris was a very proud moment.

“I will always be grateful for the experiences that working for Aquatics GB has given me, and I want to say a huge thanks to the leadership, staff and swimmers. I’m excited for what my next chapter will bring at Repton Swimming. It’s a programme with ambition which has progressed significantly since its inception in 2019.

“I’m looking forward to becoming a dad for the first time and returning to the Midlands. I’m sure life will bring lots of new adventures in the years ahead.”

Aquatics GB Performance Director Chris Spice added:

“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, including in Paris this summer. We wish him all the best for the future and look forward to seeing the impact he makes in his new role at Repton.”

It follows the departure from Aquatics GB of head coach Bill Furniss who retired as the most successful Head Coach in the history of British Olympic swimming, having led the team to 19 medals over the past three Games.

Mel Marshall also left the GB coaching staff and heads to Australia in the new year to take up a role with Griffith University Swim Club after guiding Adam Peaty to Olympic, world, European and Commonwealth success.

Repton School noted that Main's appointment coincides with the continued growth and success of Repton Swimming. Repton swimmer Eva Okaro was selected for Team GB at the 2024 Paris Olympics as part of the Women’s Freestyle Relay Team, and Megan Neave finished fourth in the 100m Backstroke at the Paralympic Games. Repton also placed fourth in The 2024 National Arena League Final and finished in the top five clubs at the Aquatics GB Summer Championships.

Repton’s Headmaster Mark Semmence said:

“We have enjoyed remarkable success on the regional, national, and international stage since we founded the Repton swimming programme in 2019. 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.”

Main said he was "delighted to be joining Repton", adding:

"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. I look forward to working with the swimmers and staff to continue the progress made in recent years.”