Swim Ulster has recently entered into a new funding contract with SportNI.

Working closely with our SportNI Performance Consultant, Paul Johnston, we have secured two new High Performance posts. These are;

• High Performance Coach
• Talent Coach

The High Performance Coach will ultimately be based at the new 50m pool in Bangor when it opens in 2011. Working under the direction of Swim Ireland's Performance Director, the new High Performance Coach will be recruited in September 2009 and will initially support our high performance swimmers and their club coaches to progress along Swim Ireland's performance pathway. This will ensure the necessary strucures are in place to take full advantage of the 50m pool when it opens. The new coach will also liaise with the Sports Institute at Jordanstown and the new SportNI Performance Development Centres in Belfast, Lisburn and Cookstown. These PDC's will open in September 2009 and will provide vital support for our high performance swimmers in areas such as strength & conditioning and nutrition.

The Talent Coach, to be recruited by April 2010, will deliver the vital function of identifying talented young swimmers and, working with their clubs and coaches, support their progress towards the High Performance squads, where they will then work with the High Performance Coach.

Our clubs will also benefit from our funding for a Club/Coach Deverlopment Officer. This post will support club development through the Swim Ireland Club Accreditation Programme. The postholder will also facilitate the delivery of a comprehensive coaching development plan, ensuring our swimmers have access to the appropriate coaching skills as they progress in the sport.

These posts will increase our organisational capacity so that we are fully prepared for the opening of the new Olympic standard pool. With our access to the Elite Facility, and the necessary staff to maximise its potential, these are exciting times for Swim Ulster.

 2nd June 2009