In this conversation, we speak to Andi Manley, the Director of Swimming at Loughborough University. The coach to Dan Wiffen's Olympic Gold Medal-winning campaign in 2024, Andi shares insights from his extensive coaching journey including powerful insights from that moment in Paris. He discusses the transition from being a swimmer to a coach, the importance of understanding each athlete as an individual, and the influence of various coaches on his development.

Andi reflects on the success of athletes like Dan Wiffen, his coaching philosophy, and the unique environment at Loughborough that fosters athlete growth. He also touches on the challenges of balancing coaching with parenting, the importance of continuous professional development, and offers advice for early career coaches. As he prepares for the role of Team England Head Coach at the 2026 Commonwealth Games, Andi emphasises the significance of collaboration and support within the coaching community.

You can find out more about Loughborough University's Swim Programme here: https://www.lboro.ac.uk/sport/sports/swimming/

Don't forget we have a wide range of resources on our coaching website including recommend books, podcasts and links to our CPDs. You can also sign up for our free wellbeing check in there too. ⁠⁠https://aprace.club/pages/coaches-community⁠⁠

For coaches looking to explore AP Race Plus, our club support platform that offers digital access to world class information for swimmers, parents and coaches, please email the team via ⁠⁠and we will be able to help support club, big or small, wherever you are located. You can also get a feel for the platform via our website here: ⁠⁠https://plus.aprace.club/

Contact us directly via coaches@aprace.club

In this conversation, Lauren Cox shares her journey as a swimmer, detailing her experiences from a small club to becoming a European Champion. She discusses the importance of resilience, the adaptations in her training, and the lessons learned from various coaches.

Lauren emphasises the significance of mental toughness, visualisation techniques, and the role of resistance training in her development. She reflects on the transitions between programs and the importance of maintaining strong relationships with coaches. Ultimately, Lauren defines success as personal fulfilment rather than just accolades, highlighting the need for athletes to enjoy their journey.

You can follow Laurens journey here: https://www.instagram.com/lauren_cox01/

Don't forget we have a wide range of resources on our coaching website including recommend books, podcasts and links to our CPDs. You can also sign up for our free wellbeing check in there too. ⁠⁠https://aprace.club/pages/coaches-community⁠⁠

For coaches looking to explore AP Race Plus, our club support platform that offers digital access to world class information for swimmers, parents and coaches, please email the team via ⁠⁠and we will be able to help support club, big or small, wherever you are located. You can also get a feel for the platform via our website here: ⁠⁠https://plus.aprace.club/

Contact us directly via coaches@aprace.club

In this conversation, Gary Laybourne shares his unique perspective on coaching, drawing from his experiences in athletics and his journey from a troubled youth to a successful coach.

He emphasises the importance of fun and inclusion in coaching young athletes, the need for coaches to balance historical wisdom with modern practices, and the significance of engaging parents in the coaching process.

Gary also discusses his day job, which focuses on empowering marginalised youth through sports, and reflects on his personal journey and the lessons learned along the way. You can connect with Gary via the links below:

Instagram 👉🏻 https://www.instagram.com/gazlaybourne/

Linked-in 👉🏻 https://www.linkedin.com/in/gary-laybourne-5307697a/

CoreCore 👉🏻 https://coachcore.org.uk/

Don't forget we have a wide range of resources on our coaching website including recommend books, podcasts and links to our CPDs. You can also sign up for our free wellbeing check in there too. ⁠⁠https://aprace.club/pages/coaches-community⁠⁠

For coaches looking to explore AP Race Plus, our club support platform that offers digital access to world class information for swimmers, parents and coaches, please email the team via ⁠⁠and we will be able to help support club, big or small, wherever you are located. You can also get a feel for the platform via our website here: ⁠⁠https://plus.aprace.club/

Contact us directly via coaches@aprace.club