Mike Coles

Regional President 2019/2020

Mike has spent a lifetime in aquatics, teaching swimming as a SEQ Level 2 Swimming Teacher; as well being a water polo coach and teacher and a fully water polo referee at national events. He is also a life member of both Weston-super-Mare Swimming Club and Somerset, and working at Brean Splash Swim School.

Both of his sons play water polo, and his wife, Joy, officiates at local matches, but has previously joined Mike at officiating at International events.

They are looking forward to their three grandchildren, Alfie, Stephanie and Arthur following on the aquatic theme, and they are already having swimming lessons.

He represents Somerset on the board, and is also Water Polo Manager for the region, with added responsibility for development of water polo and officials. He is also secretary of the Bristol & West Water Polo League.

Born and bred in Weston-super-Mare, Mike joined Weston-super-Mare Swimming in 1960, representing them at competitive swimming, diving and water polo. He also represented his school, county and region at swimming and water polo.

He has served on the committee of the club for 43 years and has been chairman, and is their present general secretary, and water polo secretary. Also, he is water polo secretary for Somerset as well as their assistant administration secretary, and in 2010 he was part of the county management team that received the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service.

For the region, as well as being their present water polo manager, he has represented them on the old ASA Technical Committee, serving as their competition secretary from 2001 to 2008.

In 2015 he received the honour of being made President of the county.

Mike took over as secretary of the regional water polo management committee in 2017, and also took on the posts of development and official’s co-ordinator. In 2019 he was nominated as President-elect by Somerset and invited to join the Regional Board in a non-voting capacity, and continued to serve the board as the South West President in 2020.

At the end of his presidency Somerset nominated him to replace Graham Cockrill as their representative on the board, and in 2021 he became a director following Incorporation.