You might think Club coaching involves leading the weekly training sessions and managing the team's performances at competitions but there's a lot more to it than that.
Head Coach, Colin Barton, has spent much of the last two weekends at the National Swimming Centre in Stirling attending orientation days and coaching conferences.
Saturday 1st September was the orientation day for the District Regional Programme. Colin is one of the coaches who will deliver the programme over 3 days to young qualifiers from across the district. The orientation day gave the opportunity to meet others on the delivery team, plan the first day and receive input around suitable land sessions and positive mindset. Helen Thomson, who will carry out the assistant team manager role, also attended.
Sunday 2nd September was the annual Youth Coach Symposium which is compulsory for coaches like Colin, who have placed swimmers in the national squads. This year, topics covered ranged from female athlete health to a review of the performances of Scottish swimmers in the European championships, Commonwealth games and European youth championships. There was also a session on the importance of land training for swimmers.
Today (Sunday 9th) Colin is back in Stirling for a full day at the National youth squad training camp. Again attendance at these days is compulsory and Colin is one of a group of coaches assisting poolside during 2 sessions.
