Scottish Volleyball is pleased to confirm the appointments of Seain Cook and Rachael Gunn as Scotland Beach Head Coaches, following a competitive recruitment process aimed at strengthening the national beach volleyball programme. These roles are a result of continued support from Fédération Internationale de Volleyball (FIVB) and their ongoing Empowerment Project to support National Teams from growing Federations.
Seain Cook will take on the role of Scotland Beach Head Coach and Technical Advisor, with a remit focused on leading the senior performance programme, guiding technical direction, and supporting long-term coach and athlete development. He will plan national training sessions for all athletes with some delivery at National Training Weekends, coordinate individual development planning, and contribute to the design of the upcoming Head Coach Award. He will also work closely with network coaches across Scotland and lead engagement with international partners to open up further development opportunities.
Originally from Perth, Cook represented Scotland in both indoor and beach volleyball, including at the 2018 Commonwealth Games. After several seasons playing professionally in Europe, he transitioned to the AVP beach tour in the United States, where he has competed since 2022. He has reached a career-high ranking of 19 on the AVP and made a semifinal appearance at the Manhattan Beach Open. His technical knowledge and international experience bring valuable perspective to Scotland’s high-performance beach athletes and coaches.
Rachael Gunn has been appointed as Scotland Beach Head Coach for Pathways and National Teams. Based in Scotland, Gunn will lead the delivery of regional pathway sessions, monthly national training weekends for juniors and seniors, and provide in-session feedback and coach support. She will also oversee the delivery of the new Development Beach Coach Award and work in collaboration with network coaches and programme staff to support the identification and progression of high-potential players.
Gunn, who played collegiate volleyball at Eastern Florida State College and professionally in Austria, Kosovo, and most recently in Greece with AOF Porfyras, has been active across both indoor and beach volleyball. Her coaching experience across various levels of the sport, combined with a strong commitment to athlete and coach development, makes her well-placed to support the continued growth and structure of Scotland’s national beach pathway.
Margaret Ann Fleming MBE, CEO of Scottish Volleyball, said, “These appointments reflect our commitment to building a strong structure for beach volleyball in Scotland. Seain and Rachael both bring relevant experience and a clear understanding of what’s needed to develop players and coaches at all levels.”
Ally Jack, Head of Performance and Coaching, added, “With Seain’s high-performance background and Rachael’s strengths in delivery and development, we’re well placed to strengthen both our elite programmes and pathway systems. I’m looking forward to supporting their work.”
These roles mark a new stage in the development of beach volleyball in Scotland, with a focus on long-term planning, coach education, and sustained athlete support. The whole Performance and Coaching Hub are excited to now be ready to launch our Tartan Talent Beach offering in the coming days and continue to support our Senior and Performance beach athletes into an exciting summer season!
