The Coaches Lane

In this in-depth interview we were joined by Ross Nicholas, the National Performance Director of Swim Wales. He discusses with us the importance of system-wide athlete development, innovative coaching principles, and the role of competitions like the Commonwealth Games in nurturing talent.

This episode offers valuable insights for coaches, athletes, and sports administrators aiming to elevate their performance and support pathways. We explored a range of areas including key topics such as,
System-wide athlete development in swimming
Coaching principles for technical and physiological growth
The impact of competitions like the Commonwealth Games
Supporting isolated or remote athletes and clubs
Lessons from other sports and innovative approaches
You can connect with Ross on Linked: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ross-nicholas-70b09712a/

Don't forget we have a wide range of resources on our coaching website including recommend books, podcasts and links to our CPDs. You can also sign up for our free wellbeing check in there too.  ⁠⁠⁠https://aprace.club/pages/coaches-community⁠⁠⁠
For coaches looking to explore AP Race Plus, our club support platform that offers digital access to world class information for swimmers, parents and coaches, please email the team via ⁠⁠and we will be able to help support club, big or small, wherever you are located. You can also get a feel for the platform via our website here: ⁠⁠⁠https://plus.aprace.club/⁠
Contact us directly via ⁠[email protected]⁠

Our guest for this episode is an Olympic medalist, World Champion and World Record Holder... but he is so much more than that!

Milo shares with us his inspiring journey from being a 4x Olympic swimmer to transitioning into a coach, emphasising the importance of belief, creativity, and continuous learning in sports and life. Discover insights on resilience, coaching philosophy, and the power of sharing knowledge to elevate the sport. We discuss his view as a parent himself on how we support young people through their journey, and there are some profound insights Milo shares with us on this topic.

You can connect with Milo on instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/milorad_cavic/

Don't forget we have a wide range of resources on our coaching website including recommend books, podcasts and links to our CPDs. You can also sign up for our free wellbeing check in there too.  ⁠⁠https://aprace.club/pages/coaches-community⁠⁠

For coaches looking to explore AP Race Plus, our club support platform that offers digital access to world class information for swimmers, parents and coaches, please email the team via ⁠⁠and we will be able to help support club, big or small, wherever you are located. You can also get a feel for the platform via our website here: ⁠⁠https://plus.aprace.club/

Contact us directly via [email protected]

Join us as we explore John Szaranek's journey through swimming to coaching at the National Centre in Ireland. We dive into how his coaching philosophy was influenced by 30 years in the police service, and insights into developing elite swimmers in Ireland and beyond.

Don't forget we have a wide range of resources on our coaching website including recommend books, podcasts and links to our CPDs. You can also sign up for our free wellbeing check in there too.  ⁠⁠https://aprace.club/pages/coaches-community⁠⁠

For coaches looking to explore AP Race Plus, our club support platform that offers digital access to world class information for swimmers, parents and coaches, please email the team via ⁠⁠and we will be able to help support club, big or small, wherever you are located. You can also get a feel for the platform via our website here: ⁠⁠https://plus.aprace.club/

Contact us directly via [email protected]

In this insightful interview, Danish Olympic Champion, Pernille Blume shares her journey from becoming an Olympic swimmer and then the transition into a multifaceted career.

Pertinent for club coaches, was certainly how she emphasised the importance of joy, exploration, and emotional intelligence in sports and life.

You can connect with Pernille via her instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/pernilleblume/

Don't forget we have a wide range of resources on our coaching website including recommend books, podcasts and links to our CPDs. You can also sign up for our free wellbeing check in there too.  ⁠⁠https://aprace.club/pages/coaches-community⁠⁠

For coaches looking to explore AP Race Plus, our club support platform that offers digital access to world class information for swimmers, parents and coaches, please email the team via ⁠⁠and we will be able to help support club, big or small, wherever you are located. You can also get a feel for the platform via our website here: ⁠⁠https://plus.aprace.club/

Contact us directly via [email protected]

In this conversation, we speak to Andi Manley, the Director of Swimming at Loughborough University. The coach to Dan Wiffen's Olympic Gold Medal-winning campaign in 2024, Andi shares insights from his extensive coaching journey including powerful insights from that moment in Paris. He discusses the transition from being a swimmer to a coach, the importance of understanding each athlete as an individual, and the influence of various coaches on his development.

Andi reflects on the success of athletes like Dan Wiffen, his coaching philosophy, and the unique environment at Loughborough that fosters athlete growth. He also touches on the challenges of balancing coaching with parenting, the importance of continuous professional development, and offers advice for early career coaches. As he prepares for the role of Team England Head Coach at the 2026 Commonwealth Games, Andi emphasises the significance of collaboration and support within the coaching community.

You can find out more about Loughborough University's Swim Programme here: https://www.lboro.ac.uk/sport/sports/swimming/

Don't forget we have a wide range of resources on our coaching website including recommend books, podcasts and links to our CPDs. You can also sign up for our free wellbeing check in there too.  ⁠⁠https://aprace.club/pages/coaches-community⁠⁠
For coaches looking to explore AP Race Plus, our club support platform that offers digital access to world class information for swimmers, parents and coaches, please email the team via ⁠⁠and we will be able to help support club, big or small, wherever you are located. You can also get a feel for the platform via our website here: ⁠⁠https://plus.aprace.club/
Contact us directly via [email protected]