British swimming has launched a new apprenticeship programme for coaches. The scheme is designed to help the sport build on its success from the Beijing Olympics and prepare for the opportunities offered by London 2012.Launched by the ASA in conjunction with the Institute of Swimming, phase one of the training will offer 40 professional apprenticeships to young coaches. These candidates will be taken to Level 3 qualification in the UK Coaching Certificate whilst they work in a club environment
Nick Sellwood, head of the ASA’s Talent Development, said: “This is a great opportunity for young people with coaching ambitions in any of the aquatic disciplines. We have been aware for some time that many of our top coaches have followed a development path that did not include higher education.”
“This is an opportunity to provide a fast-track programme for young people into high performance coaching.”
The scheme is building on the success of the Advanced Apprenticeship in Sporting Excellence Programme which assisted Rebecca Adlington to her two Olympic gold medals last year, and has helped more than 300 athletes like her remain in the sport.
The ASA believes the apprenticeships will be particularly welcome in this uncertain economic climate, as they will offer young people the chance to pursue training in coaching and effectively create career opportunities in all Olympic disciplines in the pool.
Phase two of the programme will see a further 200 places offered for level two coaches.
David Sparkes, the ASA chief executive, said: “Coaching is at the heart of the success we achieved in Beijing and the lasting legacy we can all leave for the sport is even better coaches to take the sport forward from London. This scheme, based on the UK Coaching Certificate will do just that and will give our clubs the experienced coaches they need to find the next stars in the pool to challenge for gold medals.”
Hannah Galloway, Sportsister
The Women’s Sports Magazine
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