Aquatic Diploma in Sporting Excellence applications open for artistic swimmers

Applications have opened for the Aquatic Diploma in Sporting Excellence (DiSE) for artistic swimmers.

The industry-leading educational programme is delivered alongside Loughborough college to give athletes the opportunity to combine their studies with training and competition.

The two-year programme is delivered through Swim England workshops, camps, club visits and online one-to-one progress reviews.

Each athlete is allocated an experienced DiSE assessor and are also supported by professional coaches, specialist practitioners and talent staff.

The programme covers a variety of topics including career planning and finance, lifestyle, nutrition, health and safety, mental skills, anti-doping, behaviours and values, communications and media, sports injuries and technical, tactical and physical skills.

DiSE will run for two academic years from September 2023 to July 2025 and applications must be submitted by Friday 14 July.

Applicants for this year’s programme must be born between 1 September 2006 and 31 August 2007.

Athletes must also be enrolling on a full-time state-funded education programme and meet the specific performance criteria.

‘Aiding development in sport and studies’

A number of the nation’s top athletes have taken part in the initiative including Olympians Isabelle Thorpe, Katie Clark and Olivia Federici.

Two time world series medallist, Cerys Hughes also came through the scheme and she shared her experienes of being part of the initiative.

She said: “I really enjoyed the DiSE programme and definitely feel that it has aided my development both within my sport and my studies.

“The programme picked up on aspects of artistic swimming that as an athlete I had never really thought about before, such as the purpose of different training types as well as tailoring routines to what the judges may be looking for to gain the best results.

“One of the areas that I feel has become the most useful is understanding how to create SMART goals.

“Training during the COVID-19 pandemic was difficult at times and goals were a good source of motivation, so having the knowledge to create appropriate ones that I could see myself achieving in the period of time I set definitely enabled me to get the most out of my training as a senior GB team athlete, even without a pool.

“I now even learn about SMART goals as part of my degree course so DiSE gave me a good head start!

“The DiSE assessors were so supportive and very understanding of how busy an athlete’s life is so I definitely don’t think I could have completed the programme without them!

“I would 100% recommend that anyone who is given the opportunity to take part in the programme should go for it because DiSE builds a solid skill base that can be taken forwards into the future.”

Swim England’s DiSE lead Darren Sims believes the programme provides a platform for athletes to thrive.

He said: “DiSE is a unique programme which aims to enhance the athlete’s knowledge and skills in their sport whilst they gain a recognised qualification.

“It’s a fantastic opportunity which gives the athletes the perfect environment to thrive in their sport and prepare them for a post athletic career.”

Applications to the DiSE programme are also open for diving, swimming and water polo.

To find out more about DiSE and apply, click here or email [email protected].