In this episode of The Coaches Lane, we explore the swimming journey through the lens of the swimming parent. Simon Richards shares his journey as a swimming dad, detailing the highs and lows of supporting his son, 2x Olympic Gold Medalist Matt Richards, on his path to becoming an Olympic champion.

Simon emphasises the importance of enjoyment, hard work, and listening to coaches in youth sports. He reflects on the relationships with various coaches throughout Matt's career and discusses the challenges of managing transitions between clubs and programmes.

Additionally, Simon offers insights on parental support and the significance of intrinsic motivation in young athletes. We delve into the complexities of swimming as a sport, focusing on the roles of motivation, parental support, and the long-term development of young athletes.

We discuss the emotional challenges faced by parents, the importance of communication between coaches and parents, and the impact of coaching on the personal growth of athletes. Simon emphasises the need for a balanced approach to athlete development, highlighting that the journey is as important if not more so than the outcomes.

Connect with Simon here: https://www.instagram.com/s1monrichards/

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 episode, we are joined by Katie Baxa, from Nations Capital Swim Club in the USA, one of the biggest and most prolific programmes in America.

She shares with her inspiring journey from summer league swimming in the US to coaching at the highest levels internationally at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.

She discusses her coaching philosophy, the importance of athlete development, and insights into coaching across different cultures. It is a wonderful conversation and Katie is so honest and humble in her reflections.

You can connect with Katie via her instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/coach_kdbaxa/

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, Andy shares his extensive coaching journey, highlighting the influences that shaped his coaching philosophy and approach. He discusses the importance of integrating safeguarding with coaching practices, the need for resourcefulness in coaching, and the value of learner-centred coaching.

Andy also reflects on global coaching perspectives and the significance of peer coaching in athlete development, emphasising the need for a supportive and safe coaching environment. We explore the importance of guided discovery in coaching, emphasising the need for coaches to allow learners the freedom to explore and express themselves.

We also dive into insights on individualising coaching for diverse swimmers, the significance of building relationships, and the journey of self-discovery as a coach. Andy also reflects on defining success in coaching and offers valuable advice for new coaches, encouraging them to embrace curiosity and foster community.

The book Andy mentions by Jeanne Dekerle can be found here: https://amzn.eu/d/06Y27jgF

You can connect with Andy on Linked-in here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andy-hailey-766b30212/

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 fascinating interview, Scottish Swimming's National Coach Ian Wright shares his journey, coaching philosophy, and insights into developing successful swimmers regardless of resource constraints. Discover practical tips for coaches at all levels to improve technique, build resilience, and foster a strong team culture. Ian shared with us his mentors, lessons and reflections from a career spanning many roles.

You can connect with Ian on Linkedin here:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ian-wright-607a9920/

He also has a fantastic blog to check out on Substack:

https://heat1lane1.substack.com/

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 in-depth interview, Kevin Brooks, Head Coach of Wycombe District Swimming Club, shares his coaching journey, his philosophy on building a sustainable club, and strategies for long-term athlete development. Discover how he transformed Wycombe from a small club into a national powerhouse and the key principles behind his success.

You can connect with Kevin via his instagram page here: https://www.instagram.com/kevbrookscoach/

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 episode, Olympic swimmer and coach developer Alys Thomas shares her journey from early swimming days in Kingston to competing in four Commonwealth Games, transitioning into coaching, and her role in developing Wales' swimming talent.

She discusses longevity in sport, athlete development, coaching strategies, and the importance of enjoyment and individual pathways. It is a fascinating insight into the rollercoaster of the athlete journey and how Alys has taken lessons from her own sporting journey to support the next generation of Welsh swimmers.

You can connect with Alys via her instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alys_thomas/

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 in-depth interview we were joined by Ross Nicholas, the National Performance Director of Swim Wales. He discusses with us the importance of system-wide athlete development, innovative coaching principles, and the role of competitions like the Commonwealth Games in nurturing talent.

This episode offers valuable insights for coaches, athletes, and sports administrators aiming to elevate their performance and support pathways. We explored a range of areas including key topics such as,

• System-wide athlete development in swimming
• Coaching principles for technical and physiological growth
• The impact of competitions like the Commonwealth Games
• Supporting isolated or remote athletes and clubs
• Lessons from other sports and innovative approaches

You can connect with Ross on Linked: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ross-nicholas-70b09712a/

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

Our guest for this episode is an Olympic medalist, World Champion and World Record Holder... but he is so much more than that!

Milo shares with us his inspiring journey from being a 4x Olympic swimmer to transitioning into a coach, emphasising the importance of belief, creativity, and continuous learning in sports and life. Discover insights on resilience, coaching philosophy, and the power of sharing knowledge to elevate the sport. We discuss his view as a parent himself on how we support young people through their journey, and there are some profound insights Milo shares with us on this topic.

You can connect with Milo on instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/milorad_cavic/

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