Open Water Technical Officials Training – Expression of Interest

Become a Qualified Licensed Open Water Official

Would you like to stand on the side of a beautiful lake on a lovely sunny day instead of a hot pool? Fancy doing something a little different? Why not train to become a qualified licensed open water official!

Whilst the sunny weather can’t be guaranteed, Swim England would like to acknowledge the skills and understanding pool swimming officials have which would be used in open water swimming.

Swim England would like swimming officials to consider applying for a place on their bespoke course which will take place in Loughborough on 17 May 2020.

This Open Water Officials’ Bridging Course will comprise of:

  • One day, face-to-face delivery, which will be a mix of seminars and skills practice through the use of videos
  • One day attending your Regional Open Water Championships, where officials roles will be signed off by a mentor.

Opportunities 

Once you have qualified as Level 1 official and applied for an open water licence, you can volunteer to officiate at the National Open Water Championships.

If you would like to apply, please click on the below link and fill in the short application form:

Open Water Officials’ Bridging Course application form

If you have any questions, please contact sharon.lock@swimming.org

Regional Open Water Development Camp 2019

On the 16th June, some of the most talented 12-16 years Open Water and distance swimmers from around the region came together to work on their Open Water Skills.

The day started at the Excel Leisure Centre in Walton on Thames where the swimmers participated in a pool based open water skills session, workshops on starting and sighting and some land work too.

The afternoon was based at the Ferris Meadow lake in Shepperton, where despite the cool water temperature all swimmers worked hard and continued to progress their skills.

Thank-you to Lead Coach Josh Atkins, skills coaches, Alan Londesbrough, Ian Keys, Matt Naunton, Claire Muller and Team Managers Terry Norris and Heather Reid.

Swim England Open Water National Age Group Championships 2019

The Swim England Open Water National Age Group Championships is the premiere competition for young open water swimmers in England.

The Championships contain races over three distances: 2km, 3km and 5km.

Age groups 12 and 13 yrs compete over 2km, 14 and 15 yrs compete over 3km, while 16, 17/18 and 19+ yrs complete the 5km course.

Details including the qualifying times are now available. Please click here for more details. Entries are due to open in May.

Swim England Youth Panel Members

Swim England are looking for Youth Panel Volunteers to join their current Youth Panel.

The Youth Advisory Panel is a group of young people aged between 16–25 years old. Collectively, they act as representatives for all young people involved in the sport of swimming, providing them with a voice.

The Youth Advisory Panel meets up to 4 times per year, usually for a 4 hour meeting at a weekend, and typically in Loughborough at the Head Offices of Swim England. Meetings are led by the Youth Advisory Panel chair, who is supported by a vice chair, with both being elected from the Youth Advisory Panel membership, by their peers. In addition to attendance at meetings, there may be a small amount of work required between meetings, and some online surveys sent by Swim England to seek more immediate feedback on a particular topic. Youth Advisory Panel members’ expenses for travelling to and from meetings are covered by Swim England to ensure that these are accessible to all.

Who are we looking for?

  • Young people who are actively involved in the sport as a participant, teacher, coach, official or volunteer
  • Young people who are between 16-25 years old
  • Young people who are active in one of the following disciplines:
  • Diving
  • Water Polo
  • Synchronised Swimming
  • Open Water
  • Para Swimming
  • A non-swimming volunteer
  • Young people who are ideally a Swim England member (Cat 1 – non-competitive, Cat 2 – competitive Cat 3 – other)

What are we looking for?

We are looking for dedicated new members who will be committed to attending meetings, contributing to discussions and working collaboratively with their Youth Advisory Panel peers. We are looking for passionate young people who want to positively influence the experiences of other young people involved in the sport and to act as representatives for them. If you think this could be you then please apply!

Applicants can be active in swimming but one of the disciplines listed above must be their primary focus.

Applications will be considered from individuals who are not members as long as the application demonstrates significant experience of sports participation and/or volunteering.

How to apply

The application process has two steps – an online application form and a video submission

Please complete the online form by clicking on this link:- click here . Please complete the online personal details form and submit a video no longer than 2 minutes to the email address below.

Your video should focus on:-

Discussing an issue in sport which is important to you

Video Tips

  • Tell us what the issue is, why it is important to you, how does it affect you or people you know, how would you solve it?
  • Please make sure you introduce yourself so we know who you are and can match your video to your on-line application.
  • Think about where you are when you record your video – is it bright enough for us to see you? What is around you? Could someone identify where you are or see something you don’t want them to?
  • Two minutes goes by quicker than you think when you’re recording so plan what you want to say.
  • Think about how quickly you speak.
  • Make the video as interesting as you can but remember it’s about you.

Who will review the applications?

Applications which meet the criteria will be reviewed by the current Youth Panel who will decide on who should join as new members.

Contact email

volunteering@swimming.org

Closing date for applications is 30th September 2018

Regional Open Water Camp 2018

Harold Fern and A H Turner Awards

The Regional Management Board welcomes nominations for the Harold Fern and A H Turner Awards. Any nomination should be accompanied by a supporting letter and CV for the nominee. The criteria is as follows:

The Award is given to the individual or organisation making the most outstanding contribution to aquatics at club, county, regional, national or international level.

In selecting the winner of the Award each year, the Sport s Operations Committee will give consideration to the following:

  • outstanding achievement in advancing the sport through competition/coaching/officiating
  • outstanding achievement in the administration of the sport
  • outstanding achievement in advising the sport

Please send any nominations across to bryony.gibbs@southeastswimming.org no later than 12pm on Monday 2nd July.

Swim England Coaching & Teaching Guidance

It is vital for the future of our sport that participants are confident in the quality of activities offered by Swim England affiliated organisations. It is also very important that clubs, administrators, coaches and teachers have the peace of mind that they are covered by appropriate insurance.

Swim England have put together Coaching and Teaching statement and guidance which covers Swim England’s expectations of clubs in relation to the level of coaching and teaching in all disciplines in the club environment. This is also the standard that is required by Swim England’s insurers in relation to a club’s liability insurance.

Regional Swimming Camps 2018 – Skills Coaches Required

In conjunction with Swim England Talent, the region deliver the 12 year old pathway camps. We are looking for enthusiastic coaches to support the camps and to develop themselves through attendance at  the Regional Coaches Conference. For a further information and an application form please see below;

Job Description for Regional Skills Coach 2018

Skills Coach Expression of Interest Form 2018

We will again be running a regional open water camp for 12-16 year olds on the 17th June. We are looking for coaches to support this camp. Coaches are also welcome to attend the camp in an observational capacity also. Please see below for further information and an application form.

Job Description for Open Water Regional Skills Coach 2018

Open Water Skills Coach Expression of Interest Form 2018