Hereford Swimming Club's new head coach sees plenty of challenges in the years ahead.

Chris Treanor, aged 22, took over from Richard Blackshaw in September and has already seen his young charges hold their own in the Premier Division of the Speedo League.

But now he is hoping to assist in progressing the club to the next level.

"There is loads of scope for potential here," he said. "The club has probably gone as far as it can in the current state and is on the edge of making it to 'medium-sized' club status to be able to compete with the likes of Millfield and Plymouth.

"I would like to build up a bigger club here and I see it as at least five years' work, possibly even longer."

Despite his relative youth, Treanor has already been a head coach, at Bridgwater Swimming Club, and joined Hereford after doing development work with the Halifax and Bradford club.

He was predominantly an open water swimmer himself, becoming a county champion and making it to the nationals 'on a few occasions' before taking up coaching.

"I started as a 14-year-old when I did my Duke of Edinburgh award," he said. "I did it as part of my 'service' and enjoyed it. It then grew from one hour a week, helping with learn-to-swim lessons before progressing up the ladder to become a head coach."

He realises, however, that he has a hard act to follow as he succeeds the popular Blackshaw.

"Richard was an excellent coach and it was a rapidly-improved club over the three years that he was here," said Treanor. "I'm hoping to continue that progression. It's a daunting prospect following someone as successful as Richard but I am hopeful that I can do it."

The dedication required to be a good coach is exemplified by the unsocial hours required, with sessions from 6-7.30am and then 4-9pm daily. But however good a coach is, he needs to have talented swimmers under him to make a mark and Treanor says he is fortunate in that respect.

"We have a few really good swimmers here," he said. "We have one, Josh Haines, who has qualified for the nationals at 100m and 200m butterfly. Chris Bayliss is very promising at breaststroke and individual medley while, of the younger ones, Otto Putland is going to be something hot this year, his first at national level."

Now that the Speedo League is completed, Hereford Swimming Club's next major date is the county championships - where it is combined with Gloucester-shire - in the New Year.