This is the application stage for the Swim England Senior Swimming Coach programme 2021.

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

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 development programme. This in turn will improve performance and keep athletes committed and motivated to their own progression, whilst aligning with the clear messages of Swim England Swimming and Para-Swimming Talent Pathways.

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

This year-long programme is delivered through a blend of learning days (both online and face to face), online learning, and practical poolside sessions. You will 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 development has taken place.

All dates below are compulsory for all learners to attend

• Induction Saturday 25th September 2021*
• Learning Day 1 Sunday 26th September 2021*
• Learning Day 2 Sunday 9th January 2022
• Learning Day 3 Sunday 20th March 2022

*These will be held on Zoom. We intend to run learning days 2 and 3 at SportPark, Loughborough, LE11 3QF but this will be reviewed closer to the time.

Before applying to the programme, please make sure you can attend all four days. The full programme cost is £2000.

Applications are open from 11th June and need to be submitted by the 25th July 2021. There are up to 30 places available on the programme across England and Wales with shortlisting taking place from the 26th July 2021.

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 Classroom. 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 8th August 2021. Applicants will be notified if they have been successful or not week commencing the 23rd August.

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 but 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 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 the regional swimming festival standard in 2021 or evidence of coaching to this standard in previous years pre COVID-19 (coaches are able to use qualifying swimmers for pre COVID-19 2018/2019 and evidence that they have coached and continue to coach at this level for the duration of the programme)
• Commit to attending 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 in order to ensure that we have adequate coverage of swimming and para-swimming programmes that can offer a performance environment that can effectively cater for the needs of our aspiring athletes.

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.