Applications are now closed for the 2022 Swim England Senior Swimming Coach programme.

As a coach, you inspire and deliver success at all levels. The Senior Coach programme will equip you with the tools to create and develop individualised programmes and optimise the performance levels of aspiring athletes, at both youth and senior levels.

Based upon the age and stage of development of your athletes, you will apply the most current and innovative coaching techniques to develop a holistic athlete programme. This, in turn, will improve performance and keep athletes committed and motivated, whilst aligning with the direction of Swim England Swimming and Para-Swimming.

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.

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

To achieve this certificate, you will be expected to complete a series of assessment tasks to ensure that effective development has taken place.

The full programme cost is £2,000.

Who is the course designed for?

The Swim England Senior Swimming Coach programme is for Swim England Level 2 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 18th July 2022
• Saturday 10th September 2022
• Sunday 11th September 2022
• Sunday 8th January 2023
• Sunday 19th March 2023

*Any dates that coaches subsequently cannot attend they will be required to pay a £150 fee for a catch-up session in Loughborough at a mutually agreeable time/ date for both coach and Swim England staff member.

Applications

Applications are open from 6^th June and need to be submitted by midnight on the 3^rd July 2022. There are up to 30 places available on the programme across England and Wales with shortlisting taking place from the 4^th July 2022.

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 Google Classrooms. You will have access to this workspace within 48 hours of starting your application. All applications for the programme must be completed by midnight on the 3^rd July 2022. Applicants will be notified if they have been successful or after the 11^th July 2022.

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 months’ experience as a qualified swimming coach.
• Be listed on the Swim England Teaching and Coaching Register.
• Be coaching at a SwimMark or Stronger Affiliation accredited club. Those who are not, but meet all other criteria may be considered, further information will be requested on application.
• Currently coaching for at least 10 hours per week, spanning a minimum of 5 sessions, with the same group of swimmers.
• Be the lead coach for a squad of swimmers throughout the programme duration and work 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 standards in 2021/2022 and evidence that you continue to coach at this level for the duration of the programme. Swimmers must be aged 13 years and over (as of the 31^st December 2022).

Applicants must commit to attending all sessions including the induction day and all 3 learning days, as well as completing the programme within 12 months.

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 Event Camps 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 etc.

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.