Squad Coach

The City of Oxford Swimming Club (COSC) is looking to appoint a suitably qualified swimming coach to support the Club’s timetable across two main pools in Oxford. As an Age Group Coach, the successful candidate will support coaching across the Club, be responsible for the development of a Junior squad, and work alongside other coaches and across other squads.  

Applicants should hold an ASA Level 2 Coaching Award or Swim England Swimming Coach Certificate.

About You

You will have a passion for swim coaching; be enthusiastic, a motivator, and a good listener; understand the varied needs of swimmers and build a relationship based on mutual respect and trust. You will be able to work in a dynamic coaching team to develop our Junior and Age Group Programme and place the swimmer at the heart of this role. You will see the whole person and their potential whatever their ambitions might be and foster a team spirit.

Main tasks

You would be responsible through the Head Coach to the Executive Committee of the City of Oxford Swimming Club for: 

• Working to support the Head of Age Coach, to develop COSC’s Junior and and Age Group swimmers (generally aged 10 to 14);   
• Ensuring the delivery is focused on developing skills, technique and progressive physiological training in line with the Head Coach’s philosophy and Optimal Athlete Development Framework (OADF) for Junior and Age group swimmers; 
• Delivering a high standard of swim coaching to the Club; 
• Assisting in maintaining the Club at SwimMark Competitive Development level; 
• Assisting in picking, managing and monitoring the selection and management of swimmers for team competitions; 
• Observing Health and Safety, Equal Opportunities and Anti-Discrimination across relevant squads, in line with Club and Swim England codes of conduct and with consideration of safeguarding policies during squad sessions; 
• Introducing the implementation of the Swim England Club Awards scheme; 
• Being responsible for the creation of session plans, which fall in line with the Head of Age’s annual plan;
• Attending coaches’ meetings when required ; 
• Being a team player through supporting the club’s structure, which includes working with a mixture of squads on a regular basis. 
• Attending competitions. 

Detailed Tasks

Delivery of swimming coaching:

• Developing Junior and Age Group swimmers in line with the vision of the Head of Age and Head Coach.  
• Supporting the Head of Age with writing a competition plan appropriate for Junior/Age Group swimmers in line with OADF and attending competitions as a lead for specific squads. 
• Liaising with the Head Coach and Head of Age regarding the progression of Junior/Age Group swimmers through the squad system in line with OADF. 
• Motivating swimmers, and delivering appropriate skill-based and technical development sessions and capacities relevant to future success 
• Coordinating the activities of the Junior/Age Group swimmers alongside the annual planning, individual feedback and target setting, continual monitoring of development, and attendance at competitions. ; 
• Ensuring that session registers are completed on Swim Manager. 
• Any reasonable further duties as might, from time to time, be requested by the Club. 

Competition Responsibilities:

You are expected to attend, support and motivate swimmers at competitions, which could include: 

• Junior Arena League;
• National Arena League; 
• COSC Development and Level 3 meets; 
• Oxfordshire North Bucks (ONB) County Championships;  
• South East Regionals;  
• Open Meets.

Health and Safety, Equal Opportunity and Anti-Discrimination Legislation:

• Ensure all applicable SwimMark requirements are fully incorporated in the running of all poolside activities, land training and competitions. 
• Ensure the Welfare Team is made aware of any accidents, incidents or concerns that might occur during a training session. 
• Observe Health and Safety, Equal Opportunities, Anti-Discrimination and Data Protection across all squads, in line with Club and Swim England codes of conduct and with consideration of safeguarding policies during squad sessions. 
• Be aware of the club policies and procedures and those of Swim England.     

Other Relevant Matters:

• All coaches are expected to represent and promote the interests of the City of Oxford Swimming Club and play a role in the wider swimming community. 
• Have a good knowledge and understanding of the (OADF). 
• Attend staff training and Continuing Professional Development (CPD) sessions and keep knowledge up to date. 

An Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check will be carried out on the successful candidate.

How to apply

Please submit your CV and a covering letter, explaining your suitability for the role, via the apply button.