National Centre Assistant Head Coach (Limerick)

Job Description

National Centre Assistant Head Coach (Limerick)

RESPONSIBLE TO: National Centre Head Coach (Limerick)

MEMBER OF: Swim Ireland National Centre (Limerick) Multi-Disciplinary Team

Swim Ireland Performance Coaching Round Table

Swim Ireland Extended Performance Team

LOCATION: UL Sport, the University of Limerick campus and Irish Sport HQ on the Sport Ireland Campus, and, on occasion, any other location at which it is necessary for Swim Ireland Performance business to take place, including locations both within and outside Ireland, as directed by the National Performance Director

STRATEGIC LINKS: Head of Sport Science & Sports Medicine

Performance Operations Manager

Regional Pathway Development Coach (Munster)

The National Centre Assistant Head Coach (Limerick) will contribute to the achievement of Swim Ireland’s Performance aims, objectives and targets through the following:

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Management & Leadership

1. Along with the National Performance Director, drive and deliver the ‘2024-2028 Performance Plan’ leading into the European Aquatics Championships (50m), the Commonwealth Games, the World Aquatics Championships (50m), the World Para Swimming European Championships, the World Para Swimming World Championships, and the Olympic and Paralympic Games, within each respective Olympic/Paralympic cycle
2. Work collaboratively and professionally with staff at UL Sport, the University of Limerick and the Sport Ireland Institute
3. Alongside relevant Performance colleagues, work collaboratively within a multi-disciplinary team in relation to the National Centre (Limerick), the National Programme and National Teams
4. Work cooperatively with the Head of Sport Science & Sports Medicine and the Sport Ireland Institute to establish Sport Science and Sports Medicine (SSSM) requirements for National Centre (Limerick) athletes and liaise with service providers to ensure appropriate delivery, reporting and monitoring in the Daily Performance Environment (DPE)
5. Encourage the development of all coaching/SSSM staff within the National Programme
6. In consultation with the Performance Operations Manager, help plan and organise any National Programme, National Team and/or National Centre (Limerick) training camps or preparation meets, as agreed with the National Centre Head Coach (Limerick)
7. Support the National Performance Director in the delivery of National and Regional performance-related member engagement, interventions and other similar initiatives when required

2. National Centre (Limerick)

1. Operate as the Assistant Head Coach within the National Centre (Limerick), supporting the development of Olympic and Paralympic athletes within the Centre
2. Ensure that written coaching sessions are prepared in advance and distributed where the post holder is not present and/or when required by the National Centre Head Coach (Limerick)
3. Maintain a log of all coaching/cycle plans and coaching sessions written and undertaken. Such a log may be reviewed periodically at the request of the National Performance Director. All such records should be retained for the duration of employment
4. Support the monitoring of all athletes in the National Centre (Limerick)
5. Contribute to the cyclical/seasonal target setting process and related communication for National Centre (Limerick) athletes
6. In association with the National Centre Head Coach (Limerick), restructure National Centre (Limerick) coaching hours during school/university vacation periods or in the event of UL pool closure
7. In the case of any coaching absence (illness, holiday or professional duties away from the programme) ensure that adequate coaching cover is in place
8. As requested by the National Centre Head Coach (Limerick), support National Centre (Limerick) athletes prior to, during and after international selection, meets and camps, and prepare any necessary and relevant sessions, schedules or reports in advance of such activities, with optimum athlete performance in mind. Liaise effectively with the athlete(s) in question and the Head Coach of the respective National Team at all times during this process
9. Attend all agreed domestic preparation meets with National Centre (Limerick) athletes
10. Integrate both full-time and part-time athletes into the National Centre (Limerick) programme, as appropriate to their stage of development on the Performance Pathway
11. In association with the National Centre Head Coach (Limerick), plan and prepare for National Programme and/or National Centre (Limerick) camps, meets and team activities
12. Liaise efficiently and proactively with the Performance Operations Manager, the National Centre Head Coach (Limerick) and other key stakeholders in relation to domestic, welfare and pastoral arrangements for meets and camps, including risk assessment, accommodation, transport bookings, meals, chaperones, drivers and other necessary arrangements

3. National Team, National Programme, Regional Programme

1. Operate as a National Team Coach for Swim Ireland Performance as required by the National Performance Director
2. Assume a coaching role for the National Programme and/or the Munster Regional Programme as required by the National Performance Director

4. Sport Science & Sports Medicine / Sport Ireland Institute

1. In association with the Head of Sport Science & Sports Medicine, help to ensure that all SSSM services required for National Centre (Limerick) athletes are procured, via the Sport Ireland Institute where practical and feasible, and delivered by suitably qualified, experienced and able practitioners
2. In conjunction with the Head of Sport Science & Sports Medicine and the Sport Ireland Institute Lifestyle practitioner(s), help to ensure that a programme of academic mentoring, pastoral and lifestyle support is developed for National Centre (Limerick) athletes

5. Partnership Liaison & Networking

1. Liaise with the National Centre Head Coach (Limerick) to produce reports for Swim Ireland PR colleagues for relevant media channels, including external media, the company website and company social media, following relevant meets, camps and/or individual achievements
2. Support the National Performance Director in strengthening the relationships with the Olympic Federation of Ireland, Sport Ireland, University of Limerick/UL Sport, and other key partners
3. Provide advice and guidance to National Programme, National Team and/or National Centre parents, guardians and families, and handle all such communications in a professional, considered and timely manner
4. Liaise effectively and proactively with both internal and external support-service providers in relation to the health, well-being and welfare of National Programme, National Team and/or National Centre athletes
5. Take a lead role in developing and mentoring coaches who are working with identified athletes and emerging talent, and contribute to planning and coach development initiatives when required by the National Performance Director
6. Adhere to existing policies and contribute to the development of organisational and operational frameworks and processes that deliver a high level of duty of care to athletes and support adherence to Swim Ireland’s principles of athlete and staff welfare and well-being
7. Assist (when required) in the recruitment of candidates to be employed within the Performance programme
8. Operate as a talent identification coach for the Programme when required. Promote the National Centre programme and the opportunities that exist within the National Centre (Limerick) for talented athletes
9. Support colleagues who have a lead role in the development, promotion and progression of a National Centre-based skills and technical clinic programme for Swim Ireland athletes who are external to the National Centre programme, in association with the Performance Manager
10. Support colleagues who have a lead role in the organisation, promotion and development of coach, parent and/or athlete education programmes through National Centre-based clinics, seminars, workshops and camps, in association with the Performance Manager

6. Miscellaneous

1. Take part in Performance Review arrangements made by Swim Ireland on a bi-annual basis
2. Attend all necessary Swim Ireland meetings as requested by the National Performance Director

Report information to the National Performance D...