The Talbot Heath Swimming Academy took a huge step forwards in its mission to become a beacon for female swimming by becoming a Swim England affiliated club from July 1st.
To celebrate the launch of the club, an historic year one photo was taken of all of the swimmers, whilst launching the academy’s uniform. This was followed by sharing a slice of celebratory cake and each member was able to leave their mark on an artistic tree used to portray the roots, growth and unity of the newly formed club, something each person will be proud of creating.
The Academy was born in partnership with Barry Alldrick and Poole Swimming Club in 2019 and following a fruitful 5 year partnership and in consultation with athletes, parents and staff, the Academy has become an affiliated Swim England Club within its own right to offer a more efficient programme in line with the school day for Talbot Heath pupils.
In addition to having a programme that works more inline with school and utilises day time sessions, the benefit of becoming a Swim England club allows the Academy to programme a relevant competition structure that works with education cycles.
Mr Alldrick commented “Whilst having many successes as a youth coach during the last decade, having this fresh new and meaningful vision to work towards that is both exciting and challenging is something I am thriving on. With the swim coaches, support from Good Things Coming in Strength & Conditioning and Physiotherapy as well as so many knowledgeable members of staff across the school, we are in a special position to constantly evolve and challenge many assumptions or norms regarding training, competitions and wellbeing for aspiring female athletes that will benefit from our research and programmes. Our squads have shaped well and we are recognising just how much support is required outside of the pool to navigate all areas of life. At the moment we have more questions that answers, but this is very healthy place to start our work and vision.”
The Talbot Heath Swimming Academy has engaged with Swim England, Aquatics GB and AP Race Clinics, to provide case studies and pilots to make coaching, training, competing and wellness more female specific which will not only support pupils at Talbot Heath but the wider swimming community.
