Some of Wollongong's top junior swimmers will have the opportunity to take their racing to the next level as part of the Illawarra Academy of Sport's new swimming program.
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The program will be unique to the Academy's other sports in that the swimming setup will also place a heavy emphasis on developing the coaches of athletes involved. It will be run in conjunction with South Eastern Swimming Association, South East Sports Academy and Swimming NSW.
This, according to IAS athlete coach and program manager Dane Robinson, will ultimately benefit all of the region's swimmers when coaches transfer their new skills to their individual clubs.
"For me, the best thing about this program is it's not just for athletes but it's also for coaches," Robinson said. "There is a strong emphasis on coach development.
"It's the first of it's kind for the Academy and for Swimming NSW that we're looking after athletes and coaches simultaneously. It is a collaborative approach, we want to be working with athletes, coaches and parents to help the athletes put their best foot forward."
The program is open to swimmers who have competed at the Australian Age or Australian Open Championships but did not make a final.
Twenty-six athletes and eight coaches were invited to the program and the goal is to help swimmers take that next step in their racing.
As part of the program, athletes and coaches will attend training camps at venues such as the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra and engage in all the other activities that all Academy athletes participate in.
"We'll hold three training camps over weekends where athletes and coaches will come together to work on technique, training methods and incorporate advanced coaching as well. We'll go to the AIS, use their pool, their bio-mechanics and facilities.
"Qualifying for nationals is no easy feat, it's quite special to have a really high-quality athlete from the get-go. The goal is to hopefully take them from qualifying for nationals to finishing in the top 10."
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