Cheddar Kingfishers are seeking a new Head Coach

Head Coach of Cheddar Kingfishers 

Organisation: Cheddar Kingfishers

Job Type: Head Coach 

Working Hours: Part time

Location: Kings Fitness & Leisure, Cheddar

Salary: Dependant on experience

Closing date: Wednesday 28th February  

Our website: cheddarkingfishers.co.uk

Cheddar Kingfishers is a competitive swim club with a strong grass roots base in coaching skills in the heart of Somerset’s Mendip Hills. We are based At Kings Fitness & Leisure in Cheddar, Somerset. We have a five lane 25m pool with a panoramic view of the local school playing fields which are available for use in the Summer time for land training. Cheddar Kingfishers has five squads including a Masters squad which all compete in open meets; County and Regional Championships; plus local leagues (Cotswold League and Four Seasons) with some swimmers competing in Arena League for other clubs. Cheddar Kingfishers trains for 46 weeks of the year inline with the centres swim scheme. We currently have good working relationships with larger local clubs and hope to develop thus further. 

The poolside team comprises of a head coach and 3 volunteer assistant coaches, complemented by an enthusiastic committee and other volunteers. Cheddar Kingfishers swimming programme serves up to 90 swimmers ranging from learn to swim stages 8-10 to Regional level. Cheddar Kingfishers aims to develop lifelong skills with each swimmer. You need to have a willingness to be sensitive towards personality, response-ability and attitude. You must be prepared to coach a wide range of swimmers with other sporting interests including Open Water, Triathlon and Duathlon. We expect you to fully support everyone who competes in these other disciplines as it follows the clubs ethos to develop the individual rather than just the swimmer. 

The chosen candidate will take their own exposure as either a swimmer or a coach from their previous role to ensure that only positive and inventive coaching methods are used to get the best out of each individual and the team. You be self-motivated and passionate about finding new and innovative ways of coaching to inspire the next generation of athletes to achieve their potential. 

We expect that you will take the time outside of coaching to listen and educate parents. Simple but effective communication will be key in developing and maintaining relationships with members, parents, volunteers including the committee at Cheddar Kingfishers, the leisure centre and outside governing bodies. On deck you will be sensitive towards ability through using emotional intelligence to gage where individuals are. This is particularly important in continuing to develop relationships with the team based on trust. 

 We expect our head coach to be passionate and enthusiastic about swimming on all levels. With a self-motivated approach to planning an annual training programme for poolside staff and volunteers. We also expect a level of land training knowledge to be applied on poolside in the form of a one hour session on Sundays before a pool session.  Cheddar Kingfishers has experienced huge growth in the last three years and we are looking for a head coach who has the energy to continue driving the programme forward.  

This position would suit a less experienced coach looking to develop their leadership or would be suitable for someone with more experience. The right person would be well supported professionally and personally by the volunteer coaches and the committee.

Essential

- Level 1 coaching qualification ASA

- Level 2 teaching qualification ASA

- Safeguarding certificate (willingness to obtain)

- Enhanced DBS (willingness to obtain)

Desirable 

- Level 2 ASA coaching qualification and willingness to enroll on a level 2 course within 6 months 

- Level 2 Fitness Instructing Course

- A minimum of two years coaching experience with a strong knowledge in skills and FUNdamentals 

- CPD and/or Intro into Strength and Conditioning certificate

- Understanding of LTAD

Willingness to:

- Continue our recent work with local clubs to further develop links to highlight our philosophy of developing home grown talent in the area

- Continue the coach mentoring programme from Weston-super-Mare SC for yourself and assistant coaches

Abilities and aptitudes; you should have: 

- Be a positive role model, creating a positive team environment in which to motivate and encourage and empower the team

- Enthusiasm to work with age-group and older swimmers of all abilities

- The ability to manage your own time

- A drive to continually develop your own skills as a coach

How to apply

Please send an email to the address below. Please include your CV and a covering letter.

Contact email chairmancheddarkingfishers@outlook.com