Roles - Head Coach

Head Coach

Role

To provide leadership to swimmers, coaches and poolside volunteers to help all swimmers achieve their full potential up to and including national level.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership

• To liaise with the Committee to implement the Club Development Plan, reporting regularly on progress to the Committee and annually at the Club AGM.

• Ensure all poolside coaching sessions and galas are resourced adequately and are well run.

• Carry out appropriate planning and administration work required to be successful (i.e. coaching rota, session plans and gala schedule (to support all squads at all levels), with the goal of maximising attendance at Counties, Regional or National level events).

Health and Safety

• Ensure coaches comply with all club policies, especially including child welfare.

• Liaise with the Club’s Welfare Officer as appropriate to ensure any child protection issues or concerns are dealt with promptly and in line with appropriate policies.

Communication

• To coordinate regular coaching and parent meetings for all squads.

• To develop links with swimming partners and governing bodies e.g. ONB, Swim South East, attending relevant conferences and meetings or delegate as appropriate.

• Prepare and present updates / reports for Committee meetings and the Club AGM.

Coaching and competing

• Carry out coaching duties as outlined in the coaching job description.

• Develop and implement a 12-month competition schedule in agreement with the Committee, and ensure appropriate coaching representation.

• Ensure parent understanding of the eligibility for galas and encourage appropriate swimmer participation.

• To develop and implement a structured training programme for all squads to achieve their full potential. Determine appropriate squad for each swimmer, develop and publish the squad requirements, criteria and frequency for progression between squads.

• To monitor and evaluate all existing programmes including all squad training sessions from Swim School through to the Performance Squad, including membership & attendance etc. and implement any required improvements in consultation with the coaching team.

• Lead, develop and monitor the performance of existing coaches in line with Swim England qualification ensuring that all qualifications are renewed and updated as and when required.

• To support and strive to continually improve performance in galas, and attend competitions.

• Implement a land base strength and conditioning programme to compliment the pool based training.

• Keep updated attendance registers.

Qualification, Experience and Skills Required

• The Head Coach will normally hold a Level 2 Coaching Swimming Qualification or above (or an equivalent qualification).

• Knowledge, experience & understanding of swimmer development especially transition from youth to senior.

• A proven high level of technical knowledge & experience of leading, coaching and motivating swimmers within a competitive swimming programme.

• Appropriate IT skills, competent with MS products, Swim Manager and Meet Manager software and the ability to introduce technology into the training programme as necessary (e.g. use of underwater video equipment etc.).

• Ability to develop swimmers’ technique, motivate and encourage high performance.

• Sound organisation and time management skills, and commitment to the Club.

• Ability to motivate swimmers and coaches.

• Ability to communicate effectively with the Committee, swimmers, coaches, volunteers and parents, to give positive and constructive feedback.

• Good written and presentation skills required to prepare and present reports.

• Demonstrate an appropriate level of technical swimming knowledge.

• A first aid certificate is recommended.

Name: ………..........…………….. Signed …………..........……………. Date …………………..