Role & Key Responsibilities of Coaches

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

Leadership

• To liaise with committee to implement the Club Development Plan and inform the annual budget, reporting on progress to the committee and annually to the Club AGM
• Ensure all poolside coaching sessions and galas are resourced adequately and well run
• Carry out appropriate administration work particularly as required.

Health and Safety

• Comply with Swim Ireland, Swim Ulster, ABC, PASC and Cascades policies and procedures to ensure the safety of swimmers, coaches and parents at all times; communicate as appropriate to coaches to ensure compliance
• Ensure coaches comply with all club policies, including child welfare
• Liaise with the Club’s Children’s Officer as appropriate to ensure any child protection issues or concerns are dealt with promptly and in line with appropriate policies.

Communication

• To co-ordinate regular coaching and parent meetings
• Work closely with volunteers and parents to develop their skills and knowledge, providing feedback when required
• To develop links with swimming partners and governing bodies e.g. ABC Council, LASC, Cascades, Swim Ireland and Swim Ulster, attending relevant conferences and meetings or delegate as appropriate
• Prepare and present reports for committee meetings and AGM.

Coaching and competing

• Develop and implement a 12-month competition schedule in agreement with 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 and criteria for progression between squads
• To monitor and evaluate all existing programmes including all squad training sessions, membership 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 Ireland 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 in line with PASC policy
• Implement a land base strength and conditioning programme to compliment the pool based training
• Keep updated attendance registers
• Carry out coaching duties as outlined in the coaching job description.

Qualification, Experience and Skills Required:

• The Head Coach will normally hold a SI/UKCC 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 a swimming performance programme
• Access NI clearance and current safeguarding children certificate
• Appropriate IT skills, competent with MS products, Hy-Tek and Meet Manager software
• Ability to develop swimmers’ technique, motivate and encourage high performance
• Ability to recruit, support, give direction and monitor the performance of coaches and provide regular feedback
• A first aid certificate would also be recommended
• Sound organisation and time management skills, and commitment to the club
• Ability to motivate swimmers and coaches
• Ability to communicate effectively with the PASC Committee, swimmers, coaches, volunteers and parents, to give positive and constructive feedback
• Good written and presentation skills required to prepare and present reports
• Show an appropriate level of technical knowledge.