A medal winner at the Olympics, Paralympics or a World Championship event.
ATHLETE PROFILE
Due to the attainment of senior elite presentation, is likely that athlete growth and maturation will have predominantly ceased by these stages. Physical development and cognitive skill development will still continue.
- Typically associated with 19+ years (adulthood)
- Full Maturation attained; capability to modify physique & fitness.
- Capability for muscle strength and power gains
- Growth & maturation not influential on performance
- Coordination & technical skills highly proficient & autonomous
- High athlete identity & sport affinity
- Established & integrated values, morals, ethics, motives, & cognitions for long-term investment.
- Highly self-regulated & inter-dependent with support team
Training emphasis:
- AEC + ANC/Speed
- V02 Max
- Race Pace
Training purpose:
- Individual Planning for Peak Performance
Pool:
- Target event specialisation
- Holistic individual training model
- Long-term quadrennial planning
- Stroke Technique and Racing Skills perfection
Land:
- Periodised Strength program for peak performance
- Regular musculoskeletal assessment prior to training increases
- Optimised flexibility and ‘core’ body alignment
6-10 Weeks per season
Maintaining a quality training environment & regularly competing in peak competitions.
Maintaining long-term training investment in a quality training environment. Regularly competing in peak competitions.
Undertakes high-level pool and dry-land training, systematic testing and training monitoring, at a national and international level as determined by the coach/sports scientist and benchmarked against national/international standards.
Consistently demonstrates an ability to execute optimal technique under pressure and fatigue in varying competitive environments. Can adapt technique in line with the World Best and in a multi-disciplinary team (Coach/Biomechanists/S&C/Physio/Skill Acquisition personnel).
Consistently execute optimal race strategy under pressure, fatigue and in different environments at peak competitions.
Deemed highly proficient on self-maintenance of physical attributes such as optimal stability and range of motion/flexibility of major joint complexes as well as appropriate strength and power characteristics.
Injury rate and time spent out of training is consistently kept low. Understanding of complementary dry-land conditioning options as an element of managing injury rates
- Possesses a robust and rounded psychological skill set favourable to supporting self-management, personal performance, & adversity in particular circumstances. Attributes include self-regulation skill, self-efficacy, assurance, mental flexibility/adaptability, coping skills & strategies, personalised learned strategies for adverse situations.
- Adheres & upholds National & Olympic values (e.g., Professional, Respectful, Enjoyable, Resilient, United and Relentless).
- Athlete is supported by an organised and coherent social support network. The network is systematically developed to assist/advise/mentor the athlete on performance or non-performance related aspects when necessary. The skill is to communicate & call upon the network when required to help sustain & develop.
- A developed personal development plan to cover: transition out of sport; further education; finance; managing sponsorship and agent opportunities.
- Effective time management strategies to support training performance as well as avoid detrimental outcomes.
ENVIRONMENTAL SUPPORT
- Evidence-based and holistic coaching characterised by strong sport-specific knowledge and strong inter and intra-personal skills. Effective athlete monitoring
- (Athlete Management System), embedded inter-disciplinary expertise and management of athlete-coach relationship. Proactive programming of injury prevention strategies.
- Delivered by High-Performance Coaches.
Coaching:
- The High-Performance Coach has demonstrated their ability to coach swimmers to podium success at the Olympic or Long Course World Championship level.
Coaching program:
- Program delivery is evidence-based and holistic coaching, characterised by strong sport-specific knowledge and strong interpersonal skills
- Has effective athlete monitoring and data collections to support evidence-based decision making on the SA AMS
- Integration of inter-disciplinary expertise and management of athlete-coach relationship
- Proactive coach led injury prevention strategies
- Able to overlay (meso) long-term (4 years), (macro) seasonal and (micro) month/week/day planning. Apply a testing protocol that periodically addresses and tests the athletes (e.g. skills, physiology, strength, psychology, body composition etc.) based on identified Strengths and Weaknesses in the IAPP. Able to adjust or change planning/training based on standards test results.
Coaching support:
- Allocation of an assistant coach, when squad numbers exceed 10. Access to assistant/support coach when Head Coach is away (leave, team, camp, competition, etc.).
- Coach provided with a personally supportive management environment to monitor and proactively manage workload, personal development and high-performance stress. Refer to MANAGEMENT STANDARD.
Employment contract:
- Employment of best international standard HP Coach with 2+2yr or 4yr contract
- Contract to include:
- All SA coach requirements under the NTD,
- Full engagement with identified Coach professional development programs,
- Full employer support to attend major Australian Team competitions and camps
Facilities:
- Training is conducted with a range of wet and dry facilities that are considered best practice for World’s Best performance
Water space and partnership requirements:
- Unrestricted Water Space in 3-4 lanes for 10 sessions per week with 70% LC – 2 pools at one venue with indoor facility backup,
- Olympic swimming specific equipment (start blocks/wedges and pool features that simulate international competition venue)
Athlete support and development facilities:
- Exclusive access to S&C gym/dry land performance enhancement facilities in close proximity to pool
- High-Performance Recovery facilities within training pool environment (hydro, nutrition and activity space)
- Private medical assessment/treatment area for injury/illness assessment
- Fixed camera system set up for assessment and training technical intervention (or close proximity of SIS/SAS that has provision)
Coach program management:
- Coach office with close proximity to pool
- Meeting room for coach, team and staff meeting with close proximity to the pool (with whiteboard and presentation facilities)
Athlete wellbeing elements:
- Athletes live in close proximity to the training facilities (15-20mins)
- Vehicle parking with close proximity to pool
Sport Science and Sports Medicine (SSSM) support:
- The interaction with and use of Sport Science and Sport Medicine services and personnel (also see Environment – SSSM – Strategic Planning)
SSSM integration practice:
- Capability to provide the full range of integrated services as part of the overall training program (see ‘Good Practice FTE Allocation)
- Implement an athlete-centred/coach managed/driven SSSM support philosophy
- Provision of the highest standard of service provision to our SA categorised athletes
SSSM collaboration:
- Support to work/collaborate with other High-Performance service organisations, such as the AIS, SIS/SAS and or other institutions
- Capability to access and engage SSSM personnel for research, postgrad scholar and functional support for the high-performance program
AMS compliance:
The information that is captured has a longitudinal measure of an athletes:
- Training load, wellness, injury/illness status, recovery
- Consistently monitored
- Weekly reporting and feedback
Management:
- An effective management structure and capability is demonstrated through underpinning structures, supporting for both athlete and coach
Aquatic centre agreement:
- Ability to engage in an overarching agreement with Daily Performance Environment (DPE) provider and SA that has, as schedules, the specific areas of service provision and operations under agreement
- Single point of contact for SA regarding all DPE areas
Support coordination:
- Strong ability to identify and coordinate Performance Science and Medicine Management that oversees service provision domestically and overseas.
- Oversee regular IAPP and AMS monitoring, through HP Coach, led monthly multidisciplinary meetings
Centre management:
- Joint funding agreement with co-contributions from all partners
- Strong financial and program oversight capability, including regular reporting
- Ability to establish and promote high-quality functional partnerships
- Provision of high-quality underpinning business systems for the operational, financial and strategic delivery of the high-performance program
- Provide coaches with a personally supportive management environment to monitor and proactively manage workload, personal development and high-performance stress
- An awareness of and ability to facilitate the following Policies & Procedures around the high-performance athlete cohort: Senior team, Swimmers agreement, IPC Classification, induction program, Safe Sport Policy, Code of Conduct, Benchmark Event Selection Policies, Anti-Doping Policy, Supplement Policy, Social Media, Medical & Medications Policy
Centre structure:
- Connection and collaboration capability with other internal or external swimming programs (this includes other high-performance programs, clubs and swimming development programs)
- Outline the pathway for the flow of swimming talent either internally or externally to service the program
- Accredited coaches supporting high-performance coach
- High-performance coach is actively involved in mentoring other coaches
- Affiliated Swimming Club actively supports high-performance coach and elite swimmer activities
Personnel:
- Performance Scientist with sign off by General Manager Performance Support and Innovation.
Education:
- Individualised multidisciplinary athlete case management with service provision both domestically and internationally.
Support:
- Regular Individual Athlete Performance Plan and Athlete Management System monitoring.
- Monthly multidisciplinary meetings.
- Supported by Senior/Experienced SIS/SAS Providers.
Personnel:
- Delivered by SA Discipline Lead, SA Youth Psychologist, On-Team Psychologist and/or Psychologist on the National Network of Sport, Performance and Clinical Psychologists.
Education:
- Continued group education focused on the Quiet MIND. Individualised Performance MIND skills and routines to refine performance readiness.
Support:
- Individualised plans, follow-up, monitoring and advice.
- Embedded education, measurement & training in the DPE in consultation with the coach.
Personnel:
- SA National Nutrition Lead, SIS/SAS, SSO nutrition provider &/or Accredited Sport Dietitian within Daily Performance Environment.
Education:
- Periodisation of training nutrition to optimise training adaptations. Introduction and refinement of performance supplement practices based on competition and training demands.
Support:
- Individual nutrition assessment and follow- up.
- Ongoing monitoring and advice.
Personnel:
- SA National Lead, contracted sports physicians and practitioners who are qualified and comply with anti-doping, supplementation, medication and injection policies.
Education:
- Education on health and hygiene in the DPE and team environment., Further education on the use of prescription medications and supplements. ASADA and WADA education on teams and camps on ASADA Drug testing processes.
Support:
- Medical screening.
- Individualised injury prevention and management.
Personnel:
- SA National Lead Physiotherapist & accredited and recognised physiotherapy providers.
Education:
- Education on injury prevention and management, preparation for training and competition.
Support:
- Yearly medical and functional movement screening.
- Coordination with S&C to implement injury prevention and management strategies.
- Individualised physiotherapy servicing including performance enhancement. Embedded support in the DPE.
Personnel:
- Qualified soft tissue/massage therapists and SA/SISSAS contracted soft tissue/massage therapists available at domestic and international competitions
Education:
- Education on massage principles and development of self- massage techniques.
Support:
- Individualised soft tissue/massage servicing.
Personnel:
- SA National Lead & Accredited as an ASCA Elite level
- Strength and Conditioning Coaches in the National Institute Network or external professionals.
Education:
- Education on strength training principles, lifting techniques and load management. Education on other dry-land conditioning & or cross training options to enhance pool based qualities. Periodisation and planning.
Support:
- Individualised strength and conditioning program with ongoing monitoring, assessment and advice within DPE from embedded provider and National Lead
Personnel:
- General Manager Performance Pathways
- National Head Coach
- National Youth Coach
- State Head Coaches
- Program Coaches
- ASA
- SSA Development Officers
- SISSAS PE
- EAFU Advisors
- Internal & External SME’s
Education:
- ASADA
- Match-fixing
- dAIS funding
- GHFSSS funding
- Athlete agreement Classification (para) Career development Parenting through the HP pathway
- Respectful relationships
- Financial literacy
- Personal brand and sponsorship
- Media and social media
Support:
- Selection (including Orientation to BME; and post BME engagement)
- Non-selection
- Orientation to HP pathway
- Relocation
- Transition (retirement)
- Camp based intake screenings for T 2-4 athletes
- Informing identification of key transition groups (yrs 12 and/or tertiary & other)
- IAPP 2 x yrs review plus monthly status updates for E1-M athletes
Personnel:
- State Institutes and Academies of Sport Biomechanists.
Education:
- Individualised and advanced education on biomechanical principles
- The use of quantitative analysis tools (e.g Wetplate)
- Planning and effective intervention strategies to effect technical change.
- Advanced quantitative competition analysis and skill assessment.
Support:
- Individualised measurement and intervention plan in line with the Individual Athlete Performance Plan.
- Competition analysis at National/International Meets. Embedded in the DPE. Data stored in the AMS.
Personnel:
- SA National Lead & Skill acquisition specialists from the National Institutes Network. High-Performance Coaches.
Education:
- Solutions to specific problems identified by coach/athlete. Advanced skills assessment with effective intervention and integration with Biomechanics.
- The use of skill development tools in the DPE (e.g timing lights and turning pads)
- Education on core principles of instruction, practice and feedback.
- Introduce periodisation of skill development.
Support:
- Individualised servicing of coach and athlete.
Personnel:
- SA National Lead & National Institutes Network Physiologists.
Education:
- Advanced education on physiological capacities, training, testing and related performance/physiological issues. Planning and effective intervention strategies to effect change as a part of the physiological evaluation process. Load monitoring through quantifying both intensity and volume of training gaining an improved understanding of an athlete’s response to fluctuations in volume and intensity will promote improvements in fitness and performance, and reduce the likelihood of overload-related injury.
Support:
- Individualised testing in training and competition; club, state, national, or international camps/competitions. Support in planning and periodisation. Embedded in the DPE. Data stored in the AMS.
10+ Comps per year – Peak Performance at 2/3.
International:
- Senior International (Olympic/Paralympic Games, World Championships, Commonwealth Games & Pan Pacs)
- FINA World Cups (or similar)
Domestic:
- Senior National Swimming Championships (Open Nationals/Trial Events)
Purpose:
- To select the best Athletes for the Swimming Australia Dolphins
Emphasis:
- Peak Performance at Trials and then again at Benchmark competitions
Outcome:
- Confirmation of Senior National Team for Benchmark competition
- Senior Staging, Training and/or Event Camps.
SYSTEM LEADERSHIP
National:
- National Head Coach
- Paralympic Performance Manager & Paralympic Mentor Coach
Olympic pathway programs:
- Olympic and Senior Teams,
- Swimming Australia Supported High-Performance Centres,
- National preparation camps,
- Event Camps and programs.
Paralympic pathway programs:
- Paralympics and Senior Teams,
- National Training Centres,
- National preparation and relay camps.
Selection policies:
- Senior team, Benchmark Event Selection Criteria and Policies.
Other policies:
- Senior team, Swimmers agreement, induction program, Code of Conduct, Anti-Doping Policy, Supplement Policy, Social Media, Medical & Medications Policy.
- Staff and Athlete Handbook
Athlete funding:
- Podium 1
- Top 3 finish at BME
- GHFSSS
- AIS dAIS
Paralympic classification:
- IPC Classification
- Safe Sport Framework
- The Safe Sport Framework (SSF) confirms the shared responsibility we all have for keeping each other safe in swimming – children and adults alike.
Personnel and accountability:
- National Head Coach
- Paralympic Mentor Coach
Programs:
- World’s Best Practice, Mentoring, Personal Development & Retention
Focus:
- Provide ‘world’s best practice’ coaching support characterised by:
- Effective training practices (e.g., testing & monitoring, appropriate stroke rates, training under competition-like fatigue, pressure and environmental conditions etc.)
- Effective utilisation of an athlete’s IAPP
- Incorporates Athlete monitoring tools (AMS) to enhance practice, performance and communication
- Appropriate frequency and timing of athlete tapering prior to major competition
- Effective load management
- Effective injury prevention and management strategies
- Strategies to empower an athlete’s self-regulation and well-being
- A strong understanding and management of peer dynamics
- Understanding and facilitating developmental transition
- Senior High Performance or Podium Coach.
- National Training Centre Coaches
- Mentoring from National Head Coach & Para Mentor Coach
Coaching personnel:
- Senior High Performance or Podium Coach.
- Mentoring from National Head Coach.
Coach education:
- Swimming Australia Coach Accreditation – Performance, Advanced, and Development
Coach development:
- AIS Performance Coaching and Leadership Program
- SA Coach Mentoring – National Head Coach
- SA Performance Coaching Program
RESEARCH AND INNOVATION
- Sourcing ‘experts’ (athletes, coaches & HP Managers) to consolidate athlete performance profiling.
- Sport Science and Sports Medicine research including new technologies and methods of training and recovery.
- AIS National Training Centre for research and innovation.
- Effective competitive strategies & preparation for Olympic/Paralympic Games and World Championships.
Potential collaborative partners:
- Australian Institute of Sport and State Institutes and Academies of Sport
- National Club network
- University Network
- Technological Industry Partners
Potential theme emanating:
- Injury surveillance, mechanisms and prevention strategies
- Consolidation of E2/M Athlete Profiling to inform underpinning strategy and practice
- Developmental transitions (T4 to E/M)
- Sporting Mastery
- Early International Competitive experiences
- Performance Profiling
- Effectiveness of DPE on Athlete Performance and maintenance
