Swim England
Talent Development Programmes
22 July 2023Our County and Regional Swimming associations in collaboration with the Swim England National Talent Team deliver a series of talent pathway programmes for aspiring young athletes. Whilst these initiatives are created primarily for the purpose of developing athletes, they also serve as an important vehicle for coach development.
See pathway below to see all the opportunities available to you as a talent coach.
Assistant Coach
The County Development Programme is the first step to coaches working on the talent pathway.
Coaches should contact their County Development programme lead to request to either attend and observe the talent development programmes as an observer or advise that they would like to be considered for a position as a skills coach.
Coaches who are successful in their application to the programme will be strongly encouraged to create an IDP which will enable the coach to be effectively mentored in this role.
Coach
A certified Coach can look to get involved within either the County, Regional or National programmes, requesting either to attend and observe the talent development programmes or advise that they would like to be considered for a position as a skills coach.
Organised by the County Lead, Swim England National Talent provide guidance, support recruitment of the workforce and support the programme lead.
The skills coach will typically be at least a qualified Coach (Level 2) or an assistant coach working towards the Coach qualification.
The Head Coach will hold a minimum of Coach (Level 2) qualification.
Organised by The Regional Lead in collaboration with Swim England National Talent. The skills coach will typically be at least a qualified Coach (Level 2).
The Head Coach will hold a minimum of Coach (Level 2) qualification.
The Regional Officers will be advised, which coaches have engaged with the County Camps.
As these coaches are already on the pathway they will be considered for the Regional programmes.
Organised by The Swim England National Talent Programme Lead. The skills coach will typically be at least a qualified Coach (Level 2).
The Head Coach will hold a minimum of Senior Coach (Level 3) qualification.
Coaches who have coached on Regional Talent Camps will be considered for the National Age Group Development Programme and the National Para Swimming Programme.
- County Programme – Through your Local County Association
- Regional Programme – Through the Regional Lead via the Regional Office
- National Age Group Development Programme – Through the Swim England National Talent Team
Job descriptions with a role and expectation outline are sent to any selected coach.
Having checked with the organiser, all coaches have the opportunity to observe at their local County, Regional Talent Camps and National Camps providing they have a current DBS and Safeguarding certificate.
Coaches who are successful in their application to the programme will be strongly encouraged to create an IDP which will enable the coach to be effectively mentored in this role.
Senior Coach
National Youth Development Programme, Diploma in Sporting Excellent Programme, Youth Performance Programme and Senior Performance Programme are all led and delivered by Swim England National Talent Team and having contacted the Swim England Talent Team, coaches have the opportunity to attend these camps as an observer and will be welcome to ask questions providing they have and up to date DBS and Safeguarding certificate.
Coaches who have engaged on the talent pathway through the County, Regional and Age Group Programmes will be considered for roles within these programmes.
All Coaches would be expected to hold or be working towards a Senior Coach Qualification (Level 3). If selected for these programmes you will have a copy of a Job Description and a Role Expectation Outline.
Coach selections will be based on engagement through the programmes and skills coaches from higher up the pathway in previous years may be selected to operate as a Head Coach further down the pathway.
The number of coaches in each programme reduces towards the top end youth and senior level, therefore, coaches may have a period of time where they will not be involved in Talent Camps, however, previous engagement will ensure that you remain on a list for the future.