Enniskillen Lakelanders Amateur Swimming Club Head Coach
Job Description
We are looking to build on our success with the appointment of a professional development
coach who will be able to develop and deliver coaching programs, support the team at
competitions and liaise with parents and swimmers on achieving their swimming potential.
The head coach has a key role to play in imparting the ethos of the club and contributing to
its success. He or she will provide skilled and confident leadership to swimmers, coaches
and volunteers working poolside to help all swimmers achieve their full potential up to and
including national level. This is a weekly commitment of up to 18 hours regular training
across a number of squads and attendance at galas, competitions plus
administration. The post holder reports to the Chairperson and is expected to fully cooperate with the Committee in the development and running of the club.
Personnel Specification
Essential criteria:
1. Swim Ireland Level 3 or SI Level 2 working towards attaining Level 3 Coaching
qualification or equivalent.
2. A minimum of 3 years’ experience coaching a high performance squad.
3. Knowledge, experience & understanding of swimmer development especially
transition from youth to senior.
4. Either possess or be working towards RLSS National Pool Lifesaving Qualification or
equivalent, First Aid and other appropriate qualifications.
5. Current Licence and evidence of regular CPD to maintain licence.
6. Current Access NI clearance or equivalent and current Safeguarding Children
qualification.
7. A proven knowledge & experience of leading & coaching a swimming performance
programme to national level.
8. Appropriate IT skills, competent with MS products, Hy-Tek and Meet Manager
software.
9. A Full Driving licence or access to a form of transport that will allow them to fulfil the
duties of the post to include; representing the Club at various galas, training and
Coaching events in Ulster, Ireland and further afield as and when required. The Head
Coach will also be required to represent Enniskillen Lakelanders at Swim Ireland and
Swim Ulster meetings, training and coaching events as required.
10. The nature of the duties requires flexibility around work patterns including the need to
work unsocial hours.
Desirable Criteria:
1. A proven track record at National level of swimming at youth and/or senior levels.
2. Awareness of how to support and develop swimmers with a disability.
3. Understanding of modern sports science and sport medicine.
4. A proven knowledge & understanding of different coaching philosophies, coach
development, and developing a performance culture & environment.
5. Relevant knowledge and experience of working with National and International
swimming groups & associations.
6. Proven record of developing and leading on a land based strength and conditioning
programme to compliment the pool based training.
Skills Required:
1. A high level of technical knowledge and experience of leading and motivating all
swimming groups effectively.
2. Ability to develop swimmers’ technique, motivate and encourage high performance.
3. Ability to recruit, support, give direction to and monitor the performance of paid
coaches and volunteer coaching assistants and to give regular feedback.
4. Ability to communicate effectively (one-to-one and in meetings) with swimmers,
coaches, volunteers and parents, to give positive and constructive feedback and to
inspire respect.
5. Comfortable with the use of technology both as a management and communication
tool.
6. Good time management and organisational skills and commitment to the Club.
Duties:
The club has an experienced committee and team of volunteers managing club finances,
membership, the recruitment and development of officials, competition schedules, swimmer
welfare and a range of competitions run by the club, requiring only direction where
appropriate from the head coach.
The successful applicant will be responsible for all aspects of operating a year-round
competitive swim programme.
Duties will include:
1. Support the EL Committee in recruiting, supervising/educating and retention of all
coaching resources as required.
2. Be a positive role model, maintaining high ethical and moral standards, and adhere
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to the Swim Ireland Coaches’ Code of Conduct.
Directly coach the Senior Squad.
Attend and support EL swimmers as part of the Irish national and Ulster regional high
performance programme.
Design and oversee seasonal training for all groups.
Set and publish workout schedules to include a land training/strength and
conditioning programme.
Set Club/Squad competition schedules for all groups and ensure appropriate
coaching representation.
Determine appropriate squad for each swimmer, develop and publish the squad
requirements and criteria for progression between squads.
Provide a Monthly Report and attend the Executive Committee Meetings.
Hold periodic parent meetings to educate and inform parents and receive feedback
from parents and swimmers.
Direct Staff Meetings as needed and produce a record as required.
Attend all EL meetings.
Attend Swim Ireland and Swim Ulster meetings as required
Leadership and management:
1. Provide leadership across the Club, including awareness of latest developments in
the sport.
2. Work with the Club chairperson and committee to develop the club’s strategy and
inform the annual budget, reporting on progress monthly to the committee and
annually to the club AGM.
3. Ensure all poolside coaching sessions are adequately staffed and well run.
4. Attend to other such general duties associated with the post of head coach.
Coaching and competing:
1. Improve/develop the technical skills of our swimmers on all four strokes.
2. Improve/develop their technique with regard to racing starts and turns ensuring
compliance with FINA rules.
3. Develop the fitness/stamina of swimmers within the squads.
4. Allocate swimmers to squads and input to individual development plans for
swimmers (with assistance of other group leads and coaches).
5. Liaise with the committee/parents/swimmers with regard to swimmers progress
including making decisions to move swimmers between squads in line with the set
and published criteria (with assistance of other group leads and coaches).
6. Assess potential new members attending trial sessions against the set and published
criteria.
7. Arrange & attend regular coaches meetings to discuss the next step in the training
cycle.
8. Develop and update regularly a rolling 12-month forward training programme for all
squads, with the help of other teachers/coaches and following current ASA good
practice for athlete development, helping swimmers to develop and also to enjoy the
sport
9. Have overall responsibility for the recruitment of new swimmers and ensure good
relationships with all local swim schools and Clubs and other likely sources of
recruitment.
10. Develop a 12-month competition schedule to meet the needs of all swimmers in the
club; encourage swimmers to participate in appropriate competitions, support
swimmers at competitions and give feedback on performance, support team
managers in the selection of swimmers for team galas.
Communication:
1. Assist with communications about the club, e.g. by drafting gala reports.
2. Hold regular (e.g. termly) teacher/coaching meetings with coaches and coaching
volunteers, to communicate priorities, give feedback, share good practice and
promote high performance.
3. Hold regular meetings (e.g. termly) to communicate with swimmers and parents (e.g.
setting out objectives, competition opportunities, group moves and team selection)
and use these to help recruit more volunteers into coaching or supporting the Club in
other ways.
4. Represent the Club at meetings as required.
Training and development:
1. Liaise with the Executive to identify appropriate development opportunities and
encourage teaching staff/volunteers to obtain qualifications; ensure a suitable
succession plan is in place for all coaches.
2. Continue to develop own qualifications and attend CPD as appropriate.
Health and Safety/Compliance:
1. Comply with Enniskillen Lakelanders and pool provider policies and procedures to
ensure the safety of swimmers, coaches and parents at all times; communicate as
appropriate to all coaches and volunteer assistants to ensure compliance.
2. Be responsible for ensuring coaching staff comply with all club policies, including
child welfare.
3. Liaise with the Club Childrens Officers as appropriate to ensure any child protection
issues or concerns are dealt with promptly and in line with appropriate policies.
Remuneration:
Enniskillen Lakelanders offer competitive remuneration for the role of Head Coach. This will
be dependent on experience and qualifications.
Enniskillen Lakelanders expect that the successful applicant will not engage in any
paid or unpaid activities outside of their role as Head Coach for Enniskillen
Lakelanders ASC which may create a potential conflict of interest unless expressly
agreed by the Executive.
The successful applicant will be confirmed in post following a 6 month probationary period.
Please note the above is an exemplar of the Major Duties of the post. It is not intended as an
exhaustive list of every one of the post holder’s duties. Enniskillen Lakelanders reserve the
right to extend the duties as they deem appropriate.
How to apply:
For further information about this role, contact the Club Secretary, Mrs. Frances
Rolston Bruce via the email address below.
Contact email: [email protected]
Closing date 14th December 2016 3.00pm
Please note that applicants must clearly demonstrate that they meet the essential criteria set out
above in order to progress through the shortlisting process.