Applications are now open for the 2023 Swim England Senior Swimming Coach programme.

Great coaches shape and enrich the lives of those participating in our aquatic sports. They are the life-blood of our clubs and sports programmes; providing guidance, support and encouragement in order to help people to achieve their personal goals and aspirations. Great coaching is central to our Swim England vision of ‘a nation swimming’ and mission to create ‘a happier, healthier and more successful nation through swimming’.

Swim England Senior Coach Programme

The Senior Coach programme will equip you with the knowledge and skills to be able to create and deliver a holistic, individualised development programmes which optimise the potential of aspiring athletes, at both youth and senior level.

This year-long programme is delivered through a blend of online learning and face to face workshops. You will also be assigned a mentor who will provide bespoke in situ support throughout the duration of the course.

In order to achieve this certificate, you will be also expected to complete a series of assessment tasks to ensure that effective learning and development has taken place.

This programme will help you to work more collaboratively as part of an interdisciplinary team, alongside key external and internal partners; leisure service providers, the club committee, team managers and various sports science and medicine practitioners to create an environment in which our athletes can thrive.

The full programme cost is £2,100.

Who is the course designed for?

The Swim England Senior Swimming Coach programme is for Swim England Swimming Coaches leading a squad of swimmers throughout their programme and working with those competing at regional level or above. Please see the prerequisites below.

Course content

Before applying to the programme, please ensure you can attend all the below dates. All dates are compulsory and will take place in Loughborough.*

The induction and learning days for this year’s programme are:

• Monday 3rd July 2023 – via Zoom 1pm to 3.30pm
• Saturday 9th September 2023
• Sunday 10th September 2023
• Sunday 7th January 2024
• Saturday 9th March 2024

*Any dates that coaches subsequently cannot attend they will be required to pay up to £150 fee for a catch-up session online at a mutually agreeable time/ date for both coach and a member of the delivery team.

Applications

Applications for 2023 have now closed

There are up to 30 places available on the programme across England and Wales with shortlisting taking place from the 2nd June 2023. Applicants will be notified if they have been successful on or after 6th June 2023.

As part of the application process, you will need to submit supporting evidence to confirm that you have met the essential pre-requisite criteria via the application form.  

Prerequisites

Before starting your application please make sure you meet the following pre-requisite criteria;

• Be at least 19 years of age at the start of the course.
• Hold a valid DBS and Safeguarding certificate.
• Hold a Swim England Swimming Coach Certificate (or equivalent) and have a minimum of 12 month’s experience as a qualified swimming coach.
• Listed on the Swim England Club Personnel Record (Teaching and Coaching Register).
• Coach at a SwimMark or Stronger Affiliation accredited club. Individuals who fulfil all other requirements but are not coaching at an accredited club, may still be considered. Additional details may be required as part of the application process.
• Currently coaching for at least 10 hours per week, spanning a minimum of 5 sessions, with the same group of swimmers and can guarantee this will continue into the 2023/2024 season.
• Be the lead coach for a squad of swimmers throughout the programme duration and working with swimmers who are competing at regional level or above.  *You will need to provide evidence that you have coached at least five swimmers to regional or national standard in 2022/2023 and evidence that you will continue to coach at this level for the duration of the programme. Swimmers must be aged 13 years and over (as of 31 December 2023).

Applications from coaches who do not meet the criteria will not be eligible for this programme.

Applicants must commit to attending all sessions including the induction day and all 4 learning days, as well as completing the programme within 12 months.

Application Priority Criteria

Due to the high volume of applicants we receive, in addition to the criteria above, priority will be given to coaches as follows:

1. Coaches working with youth and senior athletes at higher levels of the pathway. For example, a coach typically working with swimmers aged 15-18 years at National Standard will be prioritised over coaches working with swimmers aged 12-14 years at Regional Standard.
2. Coaches who have worked at the higher levels of the Swim England/ Swim Wales Talent pathway programmes. For example, a coach who has been selected as a skills coach on the Swim England Swimming National Youth Development Programme will be prioritised above a coach who has operated as a skills coach on the Regional Development programme.
3. Coaches who are the Head Coach of their club.
4. Coaches who can demonstrate their proactive approach to engaging with opportunities for ongoing learning; for example, Talent Pathway coaching roles, Swim England Regional/ National conferences.

Consideration will also be given to the geographical landscape to ensure we have adequate coverage of swimming and para-swimming programmes offering a performance environment that can effectively cater to our aspiring athletes’ needs.

The quality of the application, in general, will be taken into account and background checks will be carried out as part of the screening process.  Please do not apply if you do not meet the above pre-requisites.