In this conversation we speak to Team Ipswich's long time Head Coach, Dave Champion.

Dave shares with us his extensive coaching journey, discussing the evolution of his coaching philosophy, the importance of creating a positive training environment, and the significance of fun and challenge in athlete development. He reflects on past coaching practices, the impact of influential figures like Bill Sweetenham, and the importance of continuous learning and well-being for coaches.

Dave emphasises the need for emotional resilience and the value of empowering athletes to believe in themselves, ultimately defining success as happiness and fulfilment in coaching.

You can connect with Dave on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davechamp1105/

Check out our new website and coaches resources here:

https://aprace.club/pages/coaches-community

In this episode of The Coaches Lane, Alan Lynn, the Head of Performance Coach Development for Aquatics GB, shares his extensive journey in aquatics.

He emphasises the importance of curiosity, persistence, and continuous learning in coaching. He discusses the need for coaches to take an active role in their development, the characteristics that define successful coaches, and the balance between aspirations and realistic goals in coaching.

Alan also highlights the significance of health and well-being for coaches and outlines the exciting future of coaching in Great Britain, with a focus on collaboration and support for coaches at all levels.

As part of our ongoing push for more support for coaches and great development opportunities, AP Race has joined forces with Aquatics GB and the three Home Nations for a two-day conference in Manchester on the 9th and 10th September. Included will be keynotes, workshops and pool based sessions, led by coaches from across the World Class Programme, as well as a conference dinner at the end of day one. The focus will be largely towards the science of coaching, looking at the research and providing thought-provoking questions on what we do… why we do it… and how we do it.

Final details are being confirmed by Aquatics GB, but you can secure your place for £85.00, which includes meals across the event and access to all sessions. Accommodation for those staying will need to be arranged separately. The event will be located at the Hyatt Hotel, Manchester Metropolitan University Institute of Sport and the Manchester Aquatics Centre.

Register here: https://britishswimming.formstack.com/forms/home_nations_coaching_conference_2025_registration_form_1

Don't forget to check out our NEW website, https://aprace.club/

• In this episode of the Coaching Community Podcast, Mel Marshall shares her journey from being an Olympic swimmer to becoming a one of the most successful coaches globally. She discusses the importance of influence, communication, patience, and continuous learning in coaching, and shares some incredible stories with us!
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• You can connect with Mel via Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melmarshallmassive/

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  Don't forget, one of Mel's former athletes, Olympic Champion Anna Hopkin, will be presenting at the AP Race London International 2025 as part of our Coach CPD, which you can find out more and register for here: ⁠https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/ap-race-events/ap-race-london-international-2025-coach-cpd-saturday-24th-may-coach-cpd/e-ajmlre⁠

  
  

  Contact the podcast team here: ⁠https://forms.gle/d1A2giJs2ir3eUnS7⁠

  
  

  Head to the AP Race homepage here:

  ⁠⁠https://aprace.club/⁠⁠

  We have a wide range of support for coaches and you can find out more about our face to face CPD’s via our coaching website. These CPD’s run across the year and are generally available 2-3 months prior to each event.

  Our coaches landing page can be found here: ⁠⁠⁠https://coaches.aprace.club/⁠⁠⁠

  We have a drop in Zoom call once a month for coaches which we then upload onto YouTube afterwards for those who cannot make it to join the live discussion - Sign up to our mailing list to hear about this and much more: ⁠⁠⁠https://coaches.aprace.club/contact/mailing-list/⁠⁠⁠

  We also have a free mental health and wellbeing check-in which we would urge you to sign up for.

  Register for our coaches wellbeing check-in here: ⁠⁠⁠https://coaches.aprace.club/wellbeing⁠/⁠⁠

  We have a resources page on our website we are constantly adding to: ⁠⁠⁠https://coaches.aprace.club/resources/⁠⁠⁠

  
  

  Social pages:

  Follow us on Instagram and Facebook:

  ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/apraceofficial⁠⁠⁠

  ⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/apracecoaches⁠

In this conversation, Olympic Gold Medalist, Anna Hopkin shares her journey from a competitive swimmer to a performance lifestyle advisor and her role with AP Race post retirement. She discusses the importance of balance in training, the influence of coaches on her development, and the significance of maintaining variety in sports. Other topics included:

• Specialising too early in a sport can hinder development.
• Variety in training helps maintain motivation and enjoyment.
• Coaches play a crucial role in supporting athletes' journeys.
• Open communication between athletes and coaches is essential.
• Transitions between different coaching programs can be positive.
• Maintaining other sports can enhance swimming performance.
• Education should be prioritised alongside sports. also touches on the importance of breaking taboos surrounding female health and creating a culture of understanding and support within the coaching community.

Anna will be presenting to coaches at the AP Race London International 2025 as part of our Coach CPD, which you can find out more and register for here: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/ap-race-events/ap-race-london-international-2025-coach-cpd-saturday-24th-may-coach-cpd/e-ajmlre

Contact the podcast team here: ⁠https://forms.gle/d1A2giJs2ir3eUnS7⁠

Head to the AP Race homepage here:

⁠https://aprace.club/⁠

We have a wide range of support for coaches and you can find out more about our face to face CPD’s via our coaching website. These CPD’s run across the year and are generally available 2-3 months prior to each event.

Our coaches landing page can be found here: ⁠⁠https://coaches.aprace.club/⁠⁠

We have a drop in Zoom call once a month for coaches which we then upload onto YouTube afterwards for those who cannot make it to join the live discussion - Sign up to our mailing list to hear about this and much more: ⁠⁠https://coaches.aprace.club/contact/mailing-list/⁠⁠

We also have a free mental health and wellbeing check-in which we would urge you to sign up for.

Register for our coaches wellbeing check-in here: ⁠⁠https://coaches.aprace.club/wellbeing/⁠⁠

We have a resources page on our website we are constantly adding to: ⁠⁠https://coaches.aprace.club/resources/⁠⁠

Social pages:

Follow us on Instagram and Facebook:

⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/apraceofficial⁠⁠

⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/apracecoaches⁠

In this conversation, Sean Balmer shares his extensive coaching journey, emphasising the importance of treating coaching like a business, fostering honest conversations, and maintaining a culture of excellence.

He discusses the non-negotiables in coaching, the significance of being present, and the empowerment of both coaches and swimmers. Sean also highlights the critical role of skills development and the mentality required for success in swimming, drawing from his experiences with various athletes.

Contact the podcast team here: ⁠https://forms.gle/d1A2giJs2ir3eUnS7⁠

Head to the AP Race homepage here:

⁠https://aprace.club/⁠

We have a wide range of support for coaches and you can find out more about our face to face CPD’s via our coaching website. These CPD’s run across the year and are generally available 2-3 months prior to each event.

Our coaches landing page can be found here: ⁠⁠https://coaches.aprace.club/⁠⁠

We have a drop in Zoom call once a month for coaches which we then upload onto YouTube afterwards for those who cannot make it to join the live discussion - Sign up to our mailing list to hear about this and much more: ⁠⁠https://coaches.aprace.club/contact/mailing-list/⁠⁠

We also have a free mental health and wellbeing check-in which we would urge you to sign up for.

Register for our coaches wellbeing check-in here: ⁠⁠https://coaches.aprace.club/wellbeing/⁠⁠

We have a resources page on our website we are constantly adding to: ⁠⁠https://coaches.aprace.club/resources/⁠⁠

Social pages:

Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook:

⁠⁠https://twitter.com/apraceofficial⁠⁠

⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/apraceofficial⁠⁠

⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/apracecoaches⁠

In this conversation, Kevin and Ash are joined by Dan Pilbow, Head Coach at West Suffolk Swimming Club. Dan has worked with many swimmers across his career, and he shares with us the key cornerstones of what he believes has allowed the success his swimmers have enjoyed, emphasising the importance of an athlete-centered approach, building strong relationships with swimmers, and the significance of fun in the sport. He discusses the challenges of transitions for athletes and the necessity of celebrating small wins to foster continuous improvement.

Dan also highlights the importance of coach welfare and maintaining a balance in the demanding world of coaching, emphasising the need for coaches to prioritise their well-being to effectively support their athletes. He explores the frameworks that currently exist in coaching, the significance of sleep and recovery for athletes, and the potential for innovative practices in coaching. The discussion also highlights the role of coach education in developing effective coaching strategies and defining success beyond just winning.

Contact the podcast team here: https://forms.gle/d1A2giJs2ir3eUnS7

Head to the AP Race homepage here:

https://aprace.club/

We have a wide range of support for coaches and you can find out more about our face to face CPD’s via our coaching website. These CPD’s run across the year and are generally available 2-3 months prior to each event.

Our coaching landing page can be found here: ⁠https://coaches.aprace.club/⁠

We have a drop in Zoom call once a month for coaches which we then upload onto YouTube afterwards for those who cannot make it to join the live discussion - Sign up to our mailing list to hear about this and much more: ⁠https://coaches.aprace.club/contact/mailing-list/⁠

We also have a free mental health and wellbeing check-in which we would urge you to sign up for.

Register for our coaches wellbeing check-in here: ⁠https://coaches.aprace.club/wellbeing/⁠

We have a resources page on our website we are constantly adding to: ⁠https://coaches.aprace.club/resources/⁠

Social pages:

Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook:

⁠https://twitter.com/apraceofficial⁠

⁠https://www.instagram.com/apraceofficial⁠

⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/apracecoaches⁠

In this introductory episode, meet our hosts Kevin and Ash as they take us on their swimming coaching journey and the set the scene for the motivations behind wanting to do this podcast!

You can find out more about AP Race and contact the team via the links below:

Contact the podcast team here: https://forms.gle/iBz9HoKkw4Vu6Btq8

Head to the AP Race homepage here: https://aprace.club/

We have a wide range of support for coaches and you can find out more about our face to face CPD’s via our coaching website. These CPD’s run across the year and are generally available 2-3 months prior to each event.

Our coaching landing page can be found here: https://coaches.aprace.club/

We have a drop in Zoom call once a month for coaches which we then upload onto YouTube afterwards for those who cannot make it to join the live discussion - Sign up to our mailing list to hear about this and much more: https://coaches.aprace.club/contact/mailing-list/

We also have a free mental health and wellbeing check-in which we would urge you to sign up for.

Register for our coaches wellbeing check-in here: https://coaches.aprace.club/wellbeing/

We have a resources page on our website we are constantly adding to: https://coaches.aprace.club/resources/

Social pages:
Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook:

https://twitter.com/apraceofficial

https://www.instagram.com/apraceofficial

https://www.facebook.com/groups/apracecoaches