Swimming High Performance Centre structure changes
A detailed review has been carried out of centres in Swansea and Manchester, and, following consultation, the decision was made not to renew the contract with Swansea. The Manchester Centre will now be rebranded and will be known as the National Performance Centre (NPC). This will coincide with a number of improvements being made to the training environment as well as increased levels of support for athletes offered through a larger sports science team.
New Head Coach Rob Greenwood takes up his role on 21 October and will be joined at the NPC by a National Coach - a new role within the programme.
The new national coaching team will also consist of another National Coach Rob Aubry that will be work across the country and the three coaches will work collaboratively to provide world leading coaching support for the athletes on the programme both domestically and at camps and competitions.
National Performance Director Chris Furber said:
“A review took place to ensure that we were providing athletes with the best support and services within their daily training environments. The decision was made, as we move forwards towards Rio, we would have one National Performance Centre where we will have the very best support and services that athletes require. We will continue to work with SwimWales regarding the support that athletes receive in Wales and how we can also support their talent programmes.”
In selecting Manchester as the destination for the NPC, Furber highlighted a number of factors in reaching the decision. He continued:
“Manchester provided us with a great facility to create the home of British Para-Swimming, it already housed a number of our programmed athletes and our support staff and will be a world leading centre, The city is also home to a number of elite sports including Taekwondo and Cycling, and provides an excellent support network which we can utilise. I am excited about the new look national coaching team, which will be led by the new Head Coach Rob Greenwood, and Rob Aubry will continue to support the athletes in a roaming position. We are currently recruiting for another National Coach to support Rob [Greenwood] in Manchester.”
