In this conversation, Ash and Kevin are joined by Ross Douglas, Kingston Royals Head Coach in London.

Having travelled the world and swam under some incredible coaches, then transitioning into coaching and again working around some fantastic coaches… Ross reflects on his journey and the lessons learned.

We explore competition challenges, sources of learning, reflecting on the impact coaches have on swimmers lives beyond the pool

The podcast Ross mentioned is called “Finding Mastery” with Michael Gervais — specifically the violinist episode was the one he referred to:

https://open.spotify.com/episode/37boYEzkSbZerIeN6k3xMX?si=H_XOncWqQ5imHkLrKSJzCw

Here are a few pieces of literature Ross would recommend for coaches:

• Open – Andre Agassi – A fascinating insight into the reality of being an elite athlete, even when it’s not what you truly want.

• Modern Methodics of Training for Elite Swimmers – Andrei Vorontstov – Detailed, world-class perspectives on periodisation and tapering.

• Changing The Game – Ange Postecoglou – Lessons on influencing a sport in a place where it’s not part of the mainstream culture.

Don’t forget we have lots of other resources available to coaches including our wellbeing check in, free to access resources and our CPDs. You can find out more, check out our new website and see our other coaches resources here:

⁠https://aprace.club/pages/coaches-community

In this episode, we are joined by Kevin Renshaw, who has worked across three clubs, spent two decades inside British Swimming/Aquatics GB in various roles, coached medallists across Commonwealth, European, World and Olympic levels.

Kevin shares his extensive coaching journey, discussing theevolution of coaching in swimming, the importance of building a strong foundation for young swimmers, and the critical role parents play in athlete development. He emphasises the need for a coaching philosophy that prioritises the individual athlete, the significance of athletic development outside the pool, and the value of data-driven approaches in talent identification.

He also reflects on the meaning of success in coaching andoffers wisdom for age group coaches, highlighting the importance of making the sport enjoyable and engaging for young athletes.

You can connect with Kevin on Linked-in here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-renshaw-13319a43/

In this conversation, David Fletcher shares his extensive journey from being a competitive swimmer to becoming a sports psychologist and academic. He discusses the importance of sports psychology in enhancing athlete performance, the gaps in education for coaches, and practical tips for those without access to resources.

David emphasises the need for emotional intelligence in coaching and the role of parents in supporting young athletes. He reflects on personal growth, the significance of focusing on the process rather than outcomes, and offers resources for coaches to develop their psychological skills.

You can access many of the articles David has published via his public profile here: https://www.lboro.ac.uk/schools/sport-exercise-health-sciences/people/david-fletcher/#tab4

Be sure to hit subscribe, however you are joining us for this episode!

Club version of AP Race Plus - please email us via coaches@aprace.club for more information. Be sure to click subscribe to our Youtube channel to keep up with all our exciting content: https://www.youtube.com/@apraceFollow us on Instagram and Facebook!https://www.instagram.com/apraceofficialhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/apracecoachesContact us via email if you have questions or want to find out more about one of our CPDs: coaches@aprace.club

In this conversation, Andrew Sheaff joins us from the USA to share his extensive experience in coaching swimming, emphasising the importance of skill development, the constraints-based coaching approach, and the need for continuous learning and adaptation.

He discusses how to engage swimmers in a group setting, the significance of building a coaching culture, and the essential equipment for effective training. Andrew also highlights the value of mentorship and reflection in coaching, providing insights for both new and experienced coaches.

You can connect further with Andrew via the links below:

Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/andrewksheaff/

Website- www.coachandrewsheaff.com

YouTube- https://www.youtube.com/@Andrewsheaff

Read his published book here.

You can find out more about the AP Race Coaches Community on our website: https://aprace.club/pages/coaches-community

In this conversation we are joined by Keiron Piper, head of swimming at Millfield School.

He shares his journey from a young swimmer through to his time in coaching. He discusses the influence of his law degree on his coaching philosophy, the importance of mentorship, and his approach to youth development.

A key topic we explore is the significance of building connections with athletes and understanding their individual journeys. He also addresses the challenges of transitioning young athletes and the unique environment of coaching in a school setting.

Throughout the discussion, Keiron reflects on measuring success as a coach and the importance of technical development in swimming.

You can connect with Keiron here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keiron-piper-51109356/

We mention Gareth Sandford, who you can hear more from here: https://www.supportingchampions.co.uk/036-gareth-sandford-on-working-with-the-worlds-best-coaches/

You can find out more about our AP Race Coaches Community and join us for one of our FREE CPD's here: https://aprace.club/pages/coaches-community

Kathy Johnstone is a former GB swimmer, a 2x Commonwealth Games swimmer for Scotland and a seasoned strength and conditioning coach. She shares her journey from being a competitive swimmer to becoming a strength and conditioning coach, emphasising the importance of simplicity in training, the role of other sports in athlete development, and the challenges faced as a female coach in a male-dominated environment.

Kathy also discusses effective engagement strategies for young athletes, the significance of movement patterns, and the necessity of balancing commitments to swimming and other sports. She also highlights the importance of gamification in training, especially during plateaus, the transfer of skills from land to water, and the future of strength and conditioning in swimming.

You can connect with Kathryn including her incredible blog via the links below:

https://www.instagram.com/coachkathy_swim/

https://hamiltonaquatics.ae/blogdetail/71/sacrifice

Don’t forget we have lots of free CPDs coming up. You can find out more, check out our new website and see our other coaches resources here:

⁠https://aprace.club/pages/coaches-community

This we are joined by Craig Robertson, PhD. He is a Sport Scientist specialising in physiology and performance analysis at Swim England. With over 15 years’ experience as a coach and SSSM practitioner, he has supported athletes across the entire Swim England pathway — from the county and regional programmes through to the Olympic Games.

In addition to his role at Swim England, Craig lectures part-time at Leeds Beckett University on physiology and aquatics modules and contributes to the development of future coaches through the Institute of Swimming’s Senior Coach Programme.

In this conversation, Craig discusses the importance of curiosity in coaching and physiology, emphasising the need for continuous learning and adaptation in training methods. He explores the implementation of energy systems in coaching, the significance of understanding female athlete development, and the balance between capacity and intensity in training. Craig also highlights the importance of building a strong foundation for young athletes and the role of research in informing coaching practices.

You can connect with Craig on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/craig-robertson-2a80ba137/

This week we are joined by Ben Negus, Head Coach at City of Peterborough Swimming Club, a.k.a. COPS!

In this conversation, Ben shares his extensive coaching journey, emphasising the importance of resourcefulness, communication, and the development of both technical skills and personal behaviours in swimmers.

We explore the challenges faced at COPS, the significance of intention in coaching, and the need for continuous learning and reflection. Ben highlights the balance between achieving competitive success and fostering personal growth in athletes, offering valuable insights for aspiring coaches.

You can connect with Ben via Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bennegus1978/

Check out our new website and coaches resources below, as well as sign up for any of our NINE free coach CPD’s across England and Scotland this summer: https://aprace.club/pages/coaches-community