Swim England

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Officials, coaches and athletes represent Swim England at National Talent Camp

From the 16-19 December, Loughborough University opened its doors to 350 young athletes, coaches and officials for the Youth Sport Trust’s (YST) 2016 National Talent Camp.

What is National Talent Camp?

The Talent Camp is funded by Sport England, supported by Loughborough University, and delivered with the support of 10 National Governing Bodies of sport.

The camp offers talented young people an opportunity to challenge and develop themselves alongside like-minded young people at a four-day residential.

All eight ASA regions were represented at the 2016 National Talent Camp, with 25 coaches, 16 officials and 13 athletes from swimming, diving, water polo and synchro.

The young people attended sessions where they looked at issues such as:

  • Their philosophy and values
  • Their moral compass
  • Behaviour in sport
  • Emotional intelligence
  • The role and importance of sleep and sleep patterns in being at the top of their game.

The ASA participants were also supported by other young leaders from aquatics who had previously been involved in the camp and returned as mentors or camp volunteers.

Chris Stray attended the Talent Camp in 2014, returned in 2015 as a young mentor and then returned again in 2016 as a National Talent Camp Alumni volunteer.

Chris had a variety of roles and supported the aquatics participants across the four days.

“The young people have embraced and accepted new challenges with energy and a great attitude towards aquatics,” said Chris.

“I have found the experience this year extremely rewarding and I have very much enjoyed the opportunity to get involved in all areas of the camp.”

Award Winners

Our congratulations also go to Trevor Pinchemain, who was highly commended for the 2016 National Talent Camp Young Official Award.

This is presented to the young official who has shown the most growth and development over the course of the camp.

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