How becoming a coach helped National Awards winner Tegan grow in confidence

Swim England National Awards winner Tegan Smith has expressed how becoming a coach gave her a new-found confidence – and also helped her cope as she studied for an international law degree.

Tegan was named Artistic Swimming Development Coach of the Year at the University of Birmingham’s Great Hall last November.

The judges were impressed by her ‘quality and commitment to coaching’ as head coach for the Midlands Regional Artistic Swimming squad, Warwickshire County Development squad and volunteer coach at the City of Birmingham.

Tegan has also taken on a role as assistant coach for the youth team on the Swim England national programme and admitted she was ‘really excited’ and ‘looking forward’ to working with the squad in 2025.

She encouraged anyone thinking of becoming a coach to ‘just throw yourself into it’.

“As a swimmer, any coach will tell you I was silent,” said Tegan. “I didn’t speak to anyone.

“I was very much like just get my head down, don’t talk.

“Coaching really helped me grow in confidence. It just helps you get to know everyone because the artistic swimming community is so supportive of everyone.

“Being a coach, you see it from a different perspective and you get to appreciate it so much more. You learn so much about your sport and get to meet so many amazing people  – you don’t always appreciate that side of things as a swimmer.”

It’s so refreshing

Despite the hard work of studying for a law degree, Tegan always made time for her coaching commitments and said it proved to be a huge help.

She said: “I was a swimmer when doing my GCSEs and A levels and had to balance that with my training and my studies – so I brought that into when I was at uni and coaching.

“It was kind of a nice break – something different to just reading and writing essays.

“It’s so refreshing. You’re doing something that you love and you’re passionate about and, if anything, it helps because otherwise you’re just going to sit in your room or in the library and get stressed.

“All of my schools and uni were really supportive. It’s about making the time for yourself and doing something that you enjoy because, then, you’re going to get the best results out of both things – your studies and coaching or swimming.”

Tegan said becoming a coach having been an artistic swimmer was a ‘natural transition’.

“I was in the Midlands squad myself and then all of a sudden, I was running it,” said Tegan.

“I was supported so much at my club as a swimmer and then got involved with volunteering. Then my club supported me with my qualifications and I really enjoyed it.

“It was a natural transition. If you’re interested in doing it, go a bit earlier to your session, talk to some of the younger swimmers and help them and it goes from there.”

Help shape the future of coaching

Swim England is developing a new coaching strategy – which will be shaped by the entire aquatics community.

The Co-creation of the Future of Coaching process will seek the views from coaches, clubs, participants and parents through a survey.

Coaches can complete the survey by clicking here.

A separate survey for participants and parents can be filled in here, while clubs have been sent a link to their specific survey.

Coaches are also being invited to attend workshops which are being held at eight venues nationwide throughout March to discuss ideas and share opinions.

Craig McCulloch, Swim England’s Head of Coaching, said: “This is a key chance to be part of a vision which shapes the future of coaching across all aquatic sports.

“The Co-creation of the Future of Coaching will create a sense of belonging and shared ownership. It will be a strategy for coaches, informed by coaches and everyone they work closely with.

“It is an exciting process which will drive significant change.”

Coaches can book a place on the workshops by completing this online form.