In this episode, we are joined by Alex Dawson, a seasoned swimming coach with a rich history in both the UK and Canada. Alex shares his journey from a competitive swimmer to a coach, discussing the challenges and triumphs he faced along the way. He reflects on the importance of patience, the need for continuous development, and the significance of understanding one's 'why' in coaching.

The conversation delves into the differences between the coaching systems in the UK and Canada, the importance of multi-sport participation for young athletes, and the strategies he employs to build a successful swimming program. Alex also addresses the imposter syndrome many coaches face and offers valuable advice for young coaches starting their careers.

You can connect with Alex on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-dawson-3b7831380/

AP Race are also on Linkedin here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ap-race-holdings/

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 ⁠⁠coaches@aprace.club⁠⁠ 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/⁠

In this episode, Mike Taylor, the director of swimming at the City of Sheffield, shares his journey from a young swimmer to a successful coach. He discusses the importance of mentorship, the culture of Sheffield, and the challenges faced by the club, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mike emphasises the need for sustainability in coaching, the significance of partnerships for performance enhancement, and the importance of understanding athlete development, particularly for female swimmers. He also highlights the continuous learning process for coaches and the need to adapt coaching styles to meet the needs of athletes.

You can connect with Mike on Linkedin here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-taylor-1ab5b6165/?originalSubdomain=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 coaches@aprace.club 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/

In this episode, Brian Sweeney, Head Coach of Templeogue Swim Club, shares his extensive journey in coaching. We explore the importance of community integration, maximising limited resources, and developing grit in swimmers. He discusses the evolution of coach-athlete relationships, the significance of reflection in coaching practices, and the role of ISCA in supporting Irish swimming coaches. Brian defines success not just by medals but by helping athletes realise their potential and navigate challenges in their lives.

Find out more and connect with Brian via the following link: https://briansweeney.ie/about/

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 coaches@aprace.club 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/

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