Runnymede Swimming Clubs Assistant Coach Steve Winnell has been selected as one of only 10 coaches in the East Region on to the ASA Advanced Coaching Programme. This is the first programme to support proactive, talented, developing coaches in their quest to expand their coaching knowledge, skills and experience.  In conjunction with the ASA Talent Development team the programme aims to provide targeted support for coaches who have aspirations to view coaching as a professional opportunity, offering a structured process of mentoring, support and development through advanced experience in a number of appropriate environments. Already qualified as a UKCC Level Coach Steve was one of 80 applicants in the East Region ASA and met all the criteria to be considered for the scheme and as part of the selection process had to attend an interview in Norwich.

This is a fantastic opportunity for Steve to develop his Coaching Skills and experience Club Secretary Heather Davis said that as part of our Clubs continual development programme with our Swim21 Accreditation Steve’s acceptance onto the Coaching Talent programme is a wonderful opportunity for him to develop his skills it  will also be of great benefit for the Club as a whole. It is the icing on the cake to have a swimmer and now a coach being recognized for their abilities by the ASA and East Region and shows how far the Club is continuing with the success of  its development of an outstanding Coaching Team and as well as swimmers.

Steve will be on the programme for a minimum of 2 years within that time he will have access to the following support mechanisms.

·  the ASA Beacon centres/programmes.

· Targeted support from the allocated ASA Talent Development Officer.

· Help/training in the area (s) identified for development.

· Advanced skills and visits in home club environment.

· Support in the creation of local feeder/mentoring networks.

· Observation / analyses / support / challenge of your coaching sessions

· 1-1 discussions for an hour prior to or after each coaching session

· Opportunity to coach at a regional Beacon programme 3 Saturdays each year

· Attendance at two English talent camps per year including seminar workshops

· Specific stroke support

· Support for distance  / open water coaches

· Land training support

· Physiotherapy support and orientation to sport science programmes

Runnymede is also delighted to report that a record number of their swimmers selected for this year’s County Training Camps and development schemes. The tally of talented swimmers include Charlotte Davis, Chloe Davis, James Winnell, Ellie Pirrie, Byron Wood, Ellie Mitchell, Sarah Ellis, Ebony Talbot Dina Day, Matthew Davis and Hannah Shean who were all selected following their performances at last year’s County Championships.