Supporting the next generation of Scottish swimming coaches
The University of Edinburgh Performance Swimming Programme, in partnership with Scottish Swimming and sportscotland, have appointed to a new Coaching Futures position.
Swimming appointment
After a competitive and rigorous recruitment process, Danny Kirkham has been successfully appointed to the new Coaching Futures position with Edinburgh Performance Swimming Programme. Danny is currently coaching in East Lothian and also brings a wealth of experience to the position having previously competed as part of the swim programme at Edinburgh.
I am delighted to be joining the leading swim programme in Scotland and I can not wait to get started in my role. I am looking forward to working with a fantastic team of swimmers, coaches and support all staff all within the world class facilities the university has to offer.
Chris Jones, Head of Swimming at The University of Edinburgh, is delighted with the appointment;
We are extremely excited that Danny is going to join our team. Continuing or great partnership with Scottish Swimming we are really looking forward to establishing this groudbreaking sportscotland initiative within The University of Edinburgh. Danny has already some good experiences within swimming and we just want to help him further on that coaching journey. Danny will be supporting the team and help coach the groups whilst getting some valuable experiences a long the way.
The Coaching Futures Programme
Coaching Futures is sportscotland’s performance athlete-to-coach apprenticeship scheme. The aim of the programme is to assist Scottish Governing Bodies of Sport to utilise the experience of performance athletes and create opportunities for them to transition into coaching.
The apprenticeship provides a unique opportunity to ‘earn while you learn’ by focusing on the development of coaching practice. Apprentices are given time to learn through guided-study and by working alongside experienced coaches with support from a coach developer. Above all, Coaching Futures provides the opportunity to learn actively through experience and gives the apprentice the tools to self-direct and regulate the development of their emerging coaching practice.
Ian Wright, Head Coach at Scottish Swimming said:
Scottish Swimming are delighted to be partnering with sportscotland and The University of Edinburgh to deliver a new Coaching Futures position. As a young aspiring and ambitious coach I am confident that Danny will benefit greatly from the opportunity to work with and learn from a range of coaches and practitioners in the UoE programme.
Forbes Dunlop, Chief Executive of sportscotland, added:
The Coaching Futures programme is a fantastic opportunity, not only for the aspiring coaches, but also for the sports they represent. The transition to retirement can be very challenging for athletes and that’s why it was important for us to work with partners like Scottish Swimming and The University of Edinburgh to find a way for those athletes to develop in their new career in a safe and supportive environment. It’s also a great way to retain talent in the Scottish sporting system as governing bodies can benefit from the skills and experience athletes have gained during their competitive careers. We wish Danny the best of luck as he embarks on his coaching journey.