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NOVA Centurion: UK Performance Swimming Programme

A Performance Swimming Programme with an International Pedigree

NOVA Centurion is the competitive arm of the Nottinghamshire County Swim Squad and an established British performance swimming programme with more than five decades of success. Across generations, NOVA has developed swimmers from club and county competition through to national titles, senior international representation, Olympic and Paralympic competition and medals on the world stage.

 

That pedigree continues today. NOVA supports ambitious swimmers targeting British and international competition through high-performance coaching and a connected county pathway. Based in Nottinghamshire, with Harvey Hadden Sports Village as its principal performance base, NOVA is part of Swim England’s Performance Centre network and works with the University of Nottingham and Nottingham Trent University to support high-performing student-athletes.

Harvey Hadden Pool

More Than 50 Years of British Performance Swimming

From a Pioneering County Pathway to NOVA Centurion Today

The roots of the Nottinghamshire County Swim Squad stretch back to the early 1970s, when the county began building a structured performance pathway for talented competitive swimmers. From early training at Victoria Baths in Sneinton, the programme later moved to Beechdale Baths before making Harvey Hadden Sports Village its principal Nottingham base in 2015.

 

The £16m redevelopment of Harvey Hadden provided NOVA with a modern 50-metre training and competition environment. While facilities and governance have evolved, the purpose has remained consistent: to create a pathway in which talented swimmers can progress from local and regional competition towards national and international performance.

A Connected Swimming Pathway from Club to International Level

Aquatic Pathways within Nottinghamshire

A Coaching Heritage Shaped by High Performance

Neville Cross

Neville Cross

Chief Coach
1973 to 1980

Bill Furness

Bill Furness (OBE)

Head Coach
1980 to 2013

Jamie Man

Jamie Main

Head Coach
 2013 to 2014

Nathan Hilton

Nathan Hilton

Director of Coaching
 2014 to 2023

Joseph Stanford

Dr Joseph Stanford

Director of Coaching
2023 to present

A Proven Record of National and International Swimming Success

Producing Olympians, Paralympians and International Swimmers Across Generations

For more than five decades, NOVA Centurion and the Nottinghamshire County Swim Squad have produced swimmers who have progressed from domestic competition to the highest levels of the sport. The programme’s record includes national champions, world record holders, Olympians, Paralympians, senior international representatives and medallists at Olympic, Paralympic, World, European and Commonwealth level.

Domestically, NOVA swimmers have claimed national titles, Great Britain Club Team Championship honours and leading team performances at national senior, youth and age-group championships.

Internationally, athletes developed or supported by the programme have represented Great Britain and other nations at major championships around the world.
That international pedigree is not confined to NOVA’s past. The current performance environment continues to support senior and junior internationals, including athletes representing nations across Africa and Asia, while developing the next generation of swimmers with ambitions beyond national competition.

NOVA’s legacy is defined by continuity rather than a single era or athlete: a connected pathway that has repeatedly helped talented swimmers move from regional and national success towards international teams. It is this combination of established heritage and current international relevance that continues to define the programme.

Read the full story of the coaches, leadership and performance culture that have shaped more than five decades of NOVA Centurion and Nottinghamshire County Swim Squad success.

“

At Nova Centurion, we are committed to developing young swimmers across Nottinghamshire through strong partnerships with local clubs. We provide a clear pathway for athletes to progress, whether they aspire to reach the top of their sport or simply become the best they can be. Our exceptional coaching staff focuses on both technical excellence and personal growth, ensuring every swimmer is supported in reaching their full potential, whether that’s competing at the Olympic level or achieving their personal goals.

”

Joseph Stanford – Director of Coaching, NOVA Centurion

Our Aim: Building a Pathway to Senior International Swimming

Our aim is to be the leading swimming programme in Great Britain, achieved through a connected pathway that develops individuals from promising competitive swimmers into national performers and, for those with the potential and ambition, senior international athletes.

Explore the NOVA Centurion Performance Pathway

Speak to us about NOVA Centurion’s performance swimming pathway and the opportunities available to swimmers who want to develop within a high-performance environment.

Contact

What International Swimmers Say About NOVA Centurion

"Training at Nova Centurion completely opened my eyes to how exceptional the sprint program is. With the incredible support services from my coach, I’ve been able to get faster than I ever imagined.”
Zach Moyo
Zach Moyo - Zambia Swimming Association Senior International Athlete (University of Nottingham Alumni)
"Training at Nova Centurion has been a hugely positive experience, giving me the speed and belief to compete confidently on the international stage."
Nubia Adjei
Nubia Adjei - Ghana Swimming AssociationSenior International Athlete (University of Nottingham Alumni)
Balancing Medicine with performance swimming at an international level is challenging, but the NOVA Scholarship has made it possible. The financial support, world-class facilities, and expert coaching have been invaluable in helping me train and perform at my best. I’m truly grateful for the opportunities, support, and friendships I’ve gained through the programme.
Megan Sng
Megan Sng - Hong Kong China Swimming AssociationSenior International Athlete (University of Nottingham Alumni)
I have a great experience at NOVA, the training was always challenging but I loved doing it with my friends by my side! There aren't many programmes in the country with the level of performance coaching and quality distance training that NOVA has. I don't think I would be the person I am today without the relationships I have at NOVA with my team mates and staff, so a big thank you always.
Freya Colbert - Aquatics GB
Freya Colbert - Aquatics GBEuropean Champion and Commonwealth Medallist
I have had so many great experiences since joining NOVA at the age of 9, always having felt supported by my coaches and team mates from Regional Development through to the Performance Squad. NOVA's great programme has given me the opportunity to compete internationally, both in the pool and open water. It has also given me the opportunity to receive a scholarship to train and study in the US for 4 years and I would not be the athlete or person that I am today with NOVA's support.
Livia Kingsland - Aquatics GB & Wingate Swimming
Livia Kingsland - Aquatics GB & Wingate SwimmingInternational Junior Athlete and NCAA Scholar
NOVA and the University of Nottingham provided me with the environment to thrive as an athlete. The programme and support enabled me to achieve things I never dreamt of achieving.
Polly Holden - Aquatics GB
Polly Holden - Aquatics GBSenior International Athlete (University of Nottingham Alumni)
I started swimming in a small club in Staffordshire. The opportunity to train under such a great coaching team and the emphasis on developing and the emphasis on developing homegrown talent drew me to NOVA. Highlights of my career include competing at the Beijing 2008 Olympics. I think the impact NOVA Centurion and the University of Nottingham had on me is to always do things with integrity, work hard, be honest with yourself, show up every day and believe you will be rewarded.
Jessica Sylvester - Aquatics GB
Jessica Sylvester - Aquatics GBOlympian, European & Commonwealth Medallist (University of Nottingham Alumni)
Being a member of NOVA from age 12 to 29 shaped my swimming career, guiding me to two Paralympic medals, and influenced my life beyond the pool. The lessons learned, discipline instilled, experiences had, and connections forged have been key in building my character and impacting my career.
Charlotte Henshaw- Aquatics GB
Charlotte Henshaw- Aquatics GBDouble Paralympic Medallist
It's an incredible journey with so many highs and lows! I started swimming with NOVA Centurion from Sutton-in-Ashfield when I was 10 years old and was a member of the squad until I retired at 25. I am proud to have been part of the Nottinghamshire County Swim Squad and to have been part of a legacy that has produced so many world class swimmers.
Ollie Hynd- Aquatics GB
Ollie Hynd- Aquatics GBParalympic, World, European and Commonwealth Champion
I was fortunate to be selected for the NOVA Centurion program at just 10 years old, starting out at Radford Swimming Club. I remained with NOVA throughout my entire swimming career. The decision to stay with NOVA was easy, given the exceptional training. The discipline, commitment, and resilience I developed during my time with NOVA was pivotal in preparing me for my future career in the Royal Air Force.
Adam Faulkner - Aquatics GB
Adam Faulkner - Aquatics GBOlympian & Commonwealth Medalist

See all our international swimmers and international medallists here. 

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