Jacob Peters achieves major qualification in his swimming career

Commonwealth Games silver medallist Jacob Peters has achieved a major qualification in his swimming career.

While the 18-year-old, who trains with Poole SC, has his sights set on reaching this year’s World Championships in Korea and Tokyo 2020, he has also completed his Swim England Level 1 Swimming Assistant (teaching) course.

Peters received a silver medal as part of Team England’s 4x100m medley relay team at the 2018 Commonwealth Games and reached the final of three individual events on the Gold Coast – the 50m, 100m and 200m Butterfly.

And even though he is training hard in a bid to qualify for the World Championships and Olympic Games, he still found time to take his Level 1 course through the Institute of Swimming.

Peters said: “The big dream is the Olympics. I’m very excited and determined to qualify and compete in these events and to proudly represent my country.

“Training to become a swimming teacher was the perfect solution. I obviously love the water, but I also needed a job that will fit my unusual schedule.”

Peters spends on average 25 hours each week training in the pool as he strives for more success on the international stage.

Course was above and beyond expectations

By completing his Level 1 course, he has opened the possibility to working around his busy training programme.

Peters visited the Fern Down Leisure Centre for the four-day course, which involves a mixture of classroom activities and pool side learning, including at least four 30-minute swimming lessons to gain hands-on, practical experience.

He said: “I was surprised at how much I enjoyed the course. It went above and beyond my expectations.

“I was thrilled with the instant feedback from the kids that I was training with. It was great to watch the children’s faces as they grew in confidence in the water. I can’t wait to use the skills learnt. It’s a very rewarding job.”

Rebecca Cox, managing director of the Institute of Swimming, believes Peters has successfully safeguarded his career.

She said: “We are thrilled that Jacob enjoyed his course and I’m confident that teaching swimming will be the perfect partner to his professional sporting career, as the role is so rewarding and offers flexible working hours.

“We look forward to watching him achieve great things both in and out of the pool.”