Coaching Development
Coach Development
Life Saving Victoria recognises that in order to bring athletes to the highest level of achievement it is imperative to have and develop the best coaches.
In order to provide the best coaching skills to developing athletes and clubs the coaching development pathway provides coaches seeking to improve their skills and abilities the opportunity to work in advanced and structured coaching environments with elite level athletes of all disciplines, providing skill assistance and professional development knowledge that can be used by coaches at all levels.
Once involved in the program coaches can apply for positions within the structured growth that will give them advancement and the ability to improve and grow in their coaching all the way from club coaches to being appointed to State and Australian teams High Performance Squads.
Coaching Development Programs
Winter Development Coaches
Coaches can apply for positions with the WDS at any time and should do so by indicating their wish to be included by emailing the manager of aquatic sports.
Coach positions will be advertised annually usually around the time of the State Championships and applications are invited from all qualified coaches to fill the positions. The program delivery is dependent on the number of coaches willing to be involved and these numbers reflect directly on the number of available positions for athletes.
The squad activities run from July until October each year and provide coaching to talented junior (up to U 15) athletes in all disciplines. It is an ideal position for coaches at smaller clubs to join experienced and senior coaches in the off season and expand their knowledge and understanding of coaching.
WDS coaches are also offered the opportunity to work with Elite Development Squad athletes and coaches to help take their coaching to the next level. They are also able to attend selected sessions at High Performance Camps to assist and observe Australian and State HP coaches working with the most elite athletes.
WDS coaches are offered development opportunities and coach education not available outside the program and include priority selection for advanced coaching courses such as Level 2 as well as State Development Team coach appointments.
*Note: Newly qualified coaches are also encouraged to work as assistant coaches with the WDS to accumulate their coaching hours within a structured coaching environment.
Elite Development coaches
Elite Development coaches equate to the level of club head coach or specialist coaches, they have extensive experience and are long standing level 1 or level 2 coaches. Like the JDS coaches these specialists will work with the elite development athletes during the off season between July and October and be involved with their crossover activities with the High Performance Squad. Ideally these coaches will have been involved with coaching the Junior Development Squad in previous years.
Elite Development coaches may also be event specialist coaches who deliver a few sessions to the athletes at suitable locations in order to assist in overcoming specific skill deficiencies.
Elite Development coaches will work closely with the High Performance coaches and as assistants to the National coaches who deliver specific training to the High Performance Athletes.
EDS coaches are also offered additional coaching education opportunities for development not available outside the program as well as training and free use of the silicon coach video analysis software for all athletes they coach. They are offered priority positions for Level 3 courses run nationally by SLSA and State Team coach appointments.
Appointments are made for a two year period with half the coach positions advertised annually (usually around the time of the State Championships). This provides continuity for the athletes within the program and applications are invited from all qualified coaches to fill the available positions. The efficiency and standard of the program delivery is dependent on the number of qualified coaches willing to be involved and these numbers reflect directly on the number of available positions and disciplines for athletes. Likewise applications are invited from senior coaches for specific program assistance (a limited number of sessions or limited locations) throughout the program.
High Performance Squad Coaches
High Performance Squad coaches form the top of the coaching skill pool in the State and will be level 2 & 3 coaches with extensive experience. In all cases they would likely have come through the development program and have a thorough understanding and knowledge of the development pathways for both athletes and coaches.
The High Performance coach positions are two year appointments that coincide with the SLSA National High Performance appointments. Coaches wishing to be involved in the High Performance program should contact the Head Coach of the HPS by email hps@lifesavingvictoria.com.au to arrange a meeting to discuss the requirements.
High Performance coaches work closely with the National High Performance coaches and athletes as well as senior coaches around Australia, they liaise with sports scientists and Universities as well as sport professionals such as dieticians, nutritionists and psychologists. HPS coaches will have a thorough knowledge of sports science, coaching, programming development and will likely have coached National medalists. They also deliver and facilitate level 1 and 2 coaching courses on behalf of Life Saving Victoria.
The Head Coach of the High Performance Squad works closely with the Head Coach of the National High Performance Squad, The National Coaching Coordinator, National HP coaches, Elite Senior coaches from other sports, the Victorian Institute of Sport and associated sports science Universities and members of the SLSA and LSV boards of directors. The Head Coach also chairs the State Development Panel (incorporating Development, High Performance and State Teams) and sits on the Aquatic Sports Executive of Life Saving Victoria.