Investing in Coaching Development

Strengthening a Volunteer-Led Community

Bluefins is a community swimming club built and sustained largely by volunteers. Parents, former swimmers, Masters athletes and long-standing members give their time because they care about the club and the swimmers within it. That sense of ownership is one of our defining strengths, but it must be supported by clear structure if standards are to remain consistent as a club grows.

Over the past three seasons, we have made a deliberate investment in coaching development to strengthen our volunteer-led structure and ensure it remains sustainable, aligned with national standards and capable of supporting swimmers across the entire pathway, including our Disability squads.

Building Depth Rather Than Reliance

In Spring 2024, nine members of the coaching team completed the Swim England Level 1 Coaching Assistant qualification. In the same year, four existing Level 1 coaches progressed to Level 2, increasing the number of coaches qualified to plan and lead sessions independently.

For a volunteer-led club, this represented a significant strengthening of delivery capacity. It increased qualified supervision within sessions, reinforced technical consistency across squads and reduced reliance on a small number of senior coaches.

In Spring 2025, four additional coaches achieved Level 1 status as membership continued to grow. Maintaining an appropriate coach to swimmer ratio remained a priority. Across all squads, Bluefins operates below a 1:18 coach to swimmer ratio. In many cases, particularly within Development squads, ratios are closer to 1:9 and at times as low as 1:6. Maintaining these levels protects session quality, allows meaningful technical feedback and supports safe delivery.

In Spring 2026, five coaches are completing the Swim England Level 2 qualification, including coaches working within our Disability programme. Level 2 coaches are trained to independently plan and lead sessions, which strengthens leadership capacity across mainstream and inclusive squads alike. Expanding this level of qualification increases flexibility within the timetable and supports succession planning for the future.

A further three Level 1 coaches are already preparing to progress to Level 2 in Summer 2026, continuing the phased development of leadership capacity within the club.

Across this period, the club has added twenty-five recognised coaching qualifications and progression steps. The emphasis has been on building depth and resilience within a volunteer framework.

Supporting Volunteers With Structure

Volunteer involvement does not remove the responsibility to operate to recognised standards. Investing in formal qualifications ensures that those who give their time are equipped with safeguarding knowledge, structured teaching frameworks and a clear understanding of swimmer development principles.

This approach protects swimmers and supports volunteers. Coaches gain confidence in their roles, expectations become clearer and delivery remains consistent across squads. For families, it provides reassurance that sessions are led by adults who are both committed and prepared.

Creating a Sustainable Coaching Pipeline

Coaching development at Bluefins does not begin with adults alone. Swimmers aged fourteen and over now hold structured assistant roles within Skills Academy, Development, Disability and Fitness squads. These junior volunteers are embedded within the delivery model rather than assisting informally, and they are mentored within clear expectations of responsibility and conduct.

Several are progressing towards Level 1 Coaching Assistant and teaching qualifications, which creates a visible pathway from swimmer to volunteer to qualified coach. Many return during university holidays and some re-engage fully with the programme after completing their studies. That continuity strengthens the club’s culture and preserves shared language and standards across generations.

For a community club, this form of retention and leadership development is critical to long-term resilience.

Expanding Coaching Experience Into Open Water

In 2026, the club is also expanding its coaching experience into open water. Three coaches are leading this development, guided by L2 coach Sarah Liles, our own 2020 solo Channel swimmer. This step reflects both competitive ambition and a desire to broaden opportunity for swimmers.

Interest in open water swimming has grown across age groups, and the club is responding by providing structured coaching and safe guidance within this environment.

The intention is to support swimmers competing within the regional open water calendar while also providing structured opportunities for members of our Fitness squads to engage in open water activity. Integrating performance and participation in this way strengthens inclusivity and widens the club’s reach beyond the pool.

Developing coaching expertise in open water ensures that expansion into this area is supported by informed leadership rather than informal enthusiasm.

Anchored in Long-Term Athlete Development

Our coaching structure is guided by Swim England’s Optimal Athlete Development Framework. The emphasis on developing the person, the athlete and the performer is reflected not only in how swimmers are coached but also in how volunteers are supported. Formal training and mentoring help ensure that long-term development principles are applied consistently in session design, progression decisions and safeguarding practice.

This alignment influences everyday behaviour on poolside and supports coherent decision-making across squads.

A Coaching Team Reflection

As a coaching team, we view development as part of the club’s infrastructure rather than an optional extra. Volunteers deserve support, clarity and investment in their own learning, and swimmers deserve adults who understand both the technical demands of swimming and the developmental responsibilities that come with leading young people.

Remaining proudly volunteer-led does not mean lowering standards. It means ensuring that community commitment is matched with preparation and oversight. Supporting our coaches properly allows the club to grow without stretching its foundations.

Looking Forward

The objective is not to accumulate certificates but to maintain a coaching team that is aligned, capable and sustainable across Skills Academy, Development, Disability, Performance, Fitness, Junior Masters and Masters squads. Community sport is strongest when people feel valued and prepared for their roles.

By investing in coaching development, Bluefins reinforces both the human side of volunteering and the structural standards required of a modern swimming club.

Written by Spencer Turner

Head of Swimming, Basingstoke Bluefins Swimming Club