Head Swim Coach
Organisation: Forth Valley Tridents Swim Team
Location: Falkirk and surrounding area
Job Type: Full-time
Salary: £35,000 to £40,000 (dependent on experience)
Closing Date: 20 December 2024
About the Organisation:
Established on 01 January 2025, the Forth Valley Tridents (FVT) are a newly created swim team resulting from the merger of Falkirk, Grangemouth, and Bo’ness swimming clubs, including Falkirk Integrated Regional Swim Team (FIRST). As a result of the merger, Forth Valley Tridents have instantly become one of Scotland’s largest teams comprising approximately 300 athletes incorporating performance, masters, and artistic swimming.
Based within the Falkirk area, the club have a substantial, and growing membership along with an ambitious appetite for further success and development. Prior to merging, the Clubs collectively achieved success at National and International level and have trained and celebrated former and current Commonwealth, Olympic and Paralympic athletes.
The team run an enviable swim programme from novice to elite levels and facilitates both a popular Masters and Artistic swim programme. The team are a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO), supported by a committed Board of Trustees, experienced Management Committee, and a group of skilled coaches and volunteers.
About the appointment:
Having accomplished the merger, we are seeking to discuss this senior position with qualified, enthusiastic, and talented swim coaches capable of leading the programme and supporting the Team.
This is a genuinely exciting opportunity for a suitably experienced individual to help shape the direction and structure the new Club and to lead it towards future success.
We have a strong set of core values which promote opportunities for swimmers of all levels, which help shape the ethos of the Team and the way the Club operates.
The Head Swim Coach will report to the Forth Valley Tridents Swim Team Executive Committee and will be responsible for:
- Leading the development, organisation and implementation of the Club’s coaching and competition pathway, ensuring swimmers across the entire programme are given the opportunity to maximise their potential, including attendance at appropriate swim competitions
- Embedding and developing an appropriate performance culture at FVT, championing our values and promoting positive coaching behaviours across all activities
- Effectively engaging, line managing, and leading the development of our existing team of coaches to ensure they are successful, up to date with technical developments, and have the support to reach their full potential
- Lead the coaching programme for the FVT Performance Squads
- Provide support to the Artistic Swimming Team on areas including development plans, session planning and coaching practices.
- Supporting the FVT management committee in achieving relevant Scottish Swimming Aquamark Level 3 accreditation programmes to ensure continued success as a competitive swimming club
- Contributing to the commercial growth and development of the Club through the delivery of a robust swimmer recruitment programme in conjunction with local ‘Learn to Swim’ providers, aimed at maximising the numbers of swimmers participating in the programme
- Organising, attending and supervising annual training camps, including overseas venues
- Building and maintaining strong relationships with our partners which include Scottish Swimming, Falkirk Council, and sportscotland – the national agency for sport in Scotland
- Developing effective collaborative working relationships with performance support practitioners including Scottish Swimming, and Aquatics GB
- Supporting the organising committee with the organisation of our swim meets
- Contributing to the delivery of the Scottish Swimming national programme of activities, and attendance at relevant Scottish Swimming Performance/Coaching groups
Locations of Work:
- Coaching will take place at venues across Falkirk and the surrounding area, including travel to other venues across Scotland and the wider UK for competitions. There will be a requirement of the role to attend annual swim camps including overseas.
- The position requires regular work at weekends, evenings, and early morning sessions in line with our training programme and competition schedule.
About the candidate:
- Suitable candidates will possess substantial experience of coaching and developing swimmers within a structured performance development pathway and will be able to demonstrate their experience and ability in developing athletes to international level.
- This is a strategic leadership role, closely partnered with Scottish Swimming and it is expected that the successful candidate will be a positive role model for the coaching community with the ability to work closely with the national governing body in a range of areas.
Skills/Qualifications:
- Minimum level 3 coaching or UK equivalent qualification
- Ideally educated to degree level
- Line management experience
- Strong IT Skills – HyTek/Team Unify and other swim specific software
- Social media/marketing experience advantageous
- Excellent communication and planning skills are vital, along with the ability to easily engage and build trust with swimmers and coaches under their charge
- Current safeguarding and disclosure checks in place which would then be renewable
- Ability to commute across Falkirk and surrounding area to meet the early mornings and evening requirements of the swim programme
- Right to work in the UK
Benefits:
- 4% employer pension contribution from FVT Swim Team
- 35 paid days holiday, including public holidays
- FVT kit supplied
- Travel expenses for competitions
- Financial support for agreed training
How to apply:
To apply for the position, please send your current CV and a covering letter explaining why you would be suitable for the role to Keith Waddell at president@forthvalleytridents.org
Interviews are expected to be held January 2025 and will likely incorporate attendance at one of our training sessions to meet existing swim coaches and members of the Club management team.
For an informal conversation about the role in advance of any application, please contact Keith Waddell on 07788 136707.
Appointment date is flexible within reason and is subject to successful completion of Disclosure Scotland safeguarding checks and positive references.
