Squad Coach

Organisation: Winchester City Penguins Swimming Club

Contract Type: Permanent

Qualifications:

• Coaching: Swim England Land Training Certificate or Swim England Land Based Coaching Certificate
• Coaching Swimming: Swimming Coach Certificate or Level 2 Award
• Coaching Swimming: Senior Swimming Coach Certificate or Level 3 Award

Working Hours: Full time

Location: Winchester

Closing Date: 13th April 2025 23:59

Winchester City Penguins Swimming Club (WCPSC) based in Hampshire is looking for an experienced Squad Coach to join our team. This is an incredibly exciting opportunity for an ambitious coach to work with a thriving club and join our committed team of coaches, teachers, and volunteers.

Background

WCPSC is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation with Swim Mark accreditation and now has approximately 1000 members ranging in ages 3 - 70. The charity operates out of several pools around Winchester, with our main base being the new 50m Leisure Centre in Bar End, and attracts members from across Hampshire. We run a successful training and competition program.

WCPSC has seen a growth in swimming membership in the past few years and has developed pathways for swimmers of all levels. We have a large learn to swim programme which teaches the key fundamental skills for all our young swimmers, a valuable life skill which can lead to a future in competitive swimming.

WCPSC is one of the top clubs in Hampshire and currently has a team in the Premier Division of the National Swimming League. We are seeing increasing numbers of swimmers qualifying for all levels of swimming from development, county, regional, national, and international levels. The role will support Head Coach Ben Reid to continue to grow and establish WCPSC’s reputation as one of the top clubs in the Region.

Summary of the role

The successful candidate will work as part of the coaching staff and with all squad coaches. In line with Swim England’s Optimal Athlete Development Framework (OADF), developing the person and the athlete will be at the forefront of their thinking. Galvanizing team spirit, collaborative working, and inspirational coaching is at the heart of the coaching programme.

This position will also be responsible for writing, planning, and implementing the training program for designated squads. They will also play an integral part in designing the annual competition calendar and attending the required competitions as selected by the Head Coach. This may include county, regional, and national competitions where required.

The Coach must demonstrate the ability to communicate with parents and coaches and fulfil all required administration duties in a timely manner.

Ideally, they will have land training expertise and equivalent qualifications to support our swimmers’ overall development.

Reporting line

The Head Coach.

Main responsibilities:

• Responsible for planning, coaching, and managing a squad of swimmers.
• Help deliver the vision set out by the Head Coach for all coaching aspects of the club.
• Undertake special projects to ensure continued development of our swimmers that include land training, psychological wellbeing and development, and team cohesion.
• Support and participate in all aspects of our parent engagement policy.
• Assist the Head Coach with managing the swimming program, identifying ‘gaps’ and target intervention where appropriate.
• Attend designated competitions and give constructive feedback, encouragement, and support to all. Identify potential racing opportunities with local stakeholders if appropriate.
• Provide coaching cover when necessary.
• Support the meet administrator and help with meet entries for all open meets.
• Attend weekly team meetings.
• Any other duties as required by the needs of the role.
• To ensure, as a WCPSC coach, that you are at the forefront of professional coaching standards and can embrace the latest technology and evidence-based innovation and research.

Qualifications and requirements:

• UKCC/ASA Level 2 or Level 3 Coaching Award/Swim England Swimming Coach or Senior Swimming Coach Certificate
• Valid full UK driving licence, due to us operating out of our pools in the Winchester area, and for competitions nationwide.
• DBS clearance.
• Safeguarding Certificate
• Educated to degree level or demonstrates suitable experience.
• Provide 2 suitable references.
• Right to work in the UK documentation
• Land training (ideal but not essential)

Personal attributes:

• Be an effective communicator, within the club and the community, and comfortable talking with parents, swimmers, fellow coaches, and other key people and organisations.
• Proven track record of development coaching swimming, including knowledge (and preferably recent experience) of the Long-Term Athlete Development framework, OADF and provide evidence of relevant continuing professional development (CPD) both formal and informal.
• Experience in broader aquatic sports provision, whilst not essential, will be an advantage.
• The ability to build and maintain effective working relationships with the Head Coach and other coaching staff, swimmers, and their parents.
• A flexible approach to working hours.
• A great attitude and a 'can do' approach to your work which may include additional hours to ensure the job is done to the best of your ability.
• Effective time management, planning, and organisation.
• Ability to ask for help and support where needed.

This job description should not be regarded as exclusive or exhaustive. It is intended to provide the framework within which the role of the Squad Coach will be developed and may be subject to adjustment considering the changing needs of WCPSC.

How to apply

Please use the apply button below to contact Ben Reid (Head Coach) with your CV and a covering letter detailing your suitability for the role. If you would like to find out more about the role, please get in touch.