The Coaches Lane

In this episode of The Coaches Lane, we explore the swimming journey through the lens of the swimming parent. Simon Richards shares his journey as a swimming dad, detailing the highs and lows of supporting his son, 2x Olympic Gold Medalist Matt Richards, on his path to becoming an Olympic champion. Simon emphasises the importance of enjoyment, hard work, and listening to coaches in youth sports. H...

In this episode, we are joined by Katie Baxa, from Nations Capital Swim Club in the USA, one of the biggest and most prolific programmes in America. She shares with her inspiring journey from summer league swimming in the US to coaching at the highest levels internationally at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. She discusses her coaching philosophy, the importance of athlete development, and insights i...

In this conversation, Andy shares his extensive coaching journey, highlighting the influences that shaped his coaching philosophy and approach. He discusses the importance of integrating safeguarding with coaching practices, the need for resourcefulness in coaching, and the value of learner-centred coaching. Andy also reflects on global coaching perspectives and the significance of peer coaching i...

In this fascinating interview, Scottish Swimming's National Coach Ian Wright shares his journey, coaching philosophy, and insights into developing successful swimmers regardless of resource constraints. Discover practical tips for coaches at all levels to improve technique, build resilience, and foster a strong team culture. Ian shared with us his mentors, lessons and reflections from a career...

In this in-depth interview, Kevin Brooks, Head Coach of Wycombe District Swimming Club, shares his coaching journey, his philosophy on building a sustainable club, and strategies for long-term athlete development. Discover how he transformed Wycombe from a small club into a national powerhouse and the key principles behind his success. You can connect with Kevin via his instagram page here: https:...

In this episode, Olympic swimmer and coach developer Alys Thomas shares her journey from early swimming days in Kingston to competing in four Commonwealth Games, transitioning into coaching, and her role in developing Wales' swimming talent. She discusses longevity in sport, athlete development, coaching strategies, and the importance of enjoyment and individual pathways. It is a fascinating i...

In this in-depth interview we were joined by Ross Nicholas, the National Performance Director of Swim Wales. He discusses with us the importance of system-wide athlete development, innovative coaching principles, and the role of competitions like the Commonwealth Games in nurturing talent. This episode offers valuable insights for coaches, athletes, and sports administrators aiming to elevate thei...

Our guest for this episode is an Olympic medalist, World Champion and World Record Holder... but he is so much more than that! Milo shares with us his inspiring journey from being a 4x Olympic swimmer to transitioning into a coach, emphasising the importance of belief, creativity, and continuous learning in sports and life. Discover insights on resilience, coaching philosophy, and the power of sha...

Join us as we explore John Szaranek's journey through swimming to coaching at the National Centre in Ireland. We dive into how his coaching philosophy was influenced by 30 years in the police service, and insights into developing elite swimmers in Ireland and beyond. Don't forget we have a wide range of resources on our coaching website including recommend books, podcasts and links to our...

In this insightful interview, Danish Olympic Champion, Pernille Blume shares her journey from becoming an Olympic swimmer and then the transition into a multifaceted career. Pertinent for club coaches, was certainly how she emphasised the importance of joy, exploration, and emotional intelligence in sports and life. You can connect with Pernille via her instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/pe...

In this conversation, we speak to Andi Manley, the Director of Swimming at Loughborough University. The coach to Dan Wiffen's Olympic Gold Medal-winning campaign in 2024, Andi shares insights from his extensive coaching journey including powerful insights from that moment in Paris. He discusses the transition from being a swimmer to a coach, the importance of understanding each athlete as an i...

In this conversation, Lauren Cox shares her journey as a swimmer, detailing her experiences from a small club to becoming a European Champion. She discusses the importance of resilience, the adaptations in her training, and the lessons learned from various coaches. Lauren emphasises the significance of mental toughness, visualisation techniques, and the role of resistance training in her developme...

In this conversation, Gary Laybourne shares his unique perspective on coaching, drawing from his experiences in athletics and his journey from a troubled youth to a successful coach. He emphasises the importance of fun and inclusion in coaching young athletes, the need for coaches to balance historical wisdom with modern practices, and the significance of engaging parents in the coaching process....

In this conversation, Eric Anderson shares his extensive coaching journey, highlighting key experiences and influences that shaped his coaching philosophy. He discusses the importance of adaptability in coaching, especially in different cultural contexts like Malaysia. Eric emphasizes the need for a supportive environment to retain young athletes and the significance of continuous learning for coa...

In this episode, Jake Gibbons shares his journey from being a competitive swimmer to a successful coach at the Bolles School, junior home to Caeleb Dressel and Ryan Murphy amongst many others. He discusses the challenges of transitioning from athlete to coach, his coaching philosophy shaped by various influences, and the importance of building meaningful relationships with athletes. Jake highlight...

In this episode, Victoria Jones, shares her insights on the biomechanics of underwater kicking, with Kevin and Ash asking so many questions to really get into what the research Victoria has worked on shows. Victoria is a Biomechanist and Performance Analyst with Aquatics GB, and has been with the organisation for 8 years now, commencing with her PhD in the key biomechanical indicators of underwate...

In this episode, we are joined by Alex Dawson, a seasoned swimming coach with a rich history in both the UK and Canada. Alex shares his journey from a competitive swimmer to a coach, discussing the challenges and triumphs he faced along the way. He reflects on the importance of patience, the need for continuous development, and the significance of understanding one's 'why' in coaching....

In this episode, Mike Taylor, the Director of Swimming at the City of Sheffield, shares his journey from a young swimmer to a successful coach. He discusses the importance of mentorship, the culture of Sheffield, and the challenges faced by the club, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Mike emphasises the need for sustainability in coaching, the significance of partnerships for performance en...

In this episode, Mike shares his extensive journey in the coaching world, from his beginnings as a swimmer to becoming a leading figure in sports science and coaching. He discusses the importance of bridging the gap between research and practical coaching, the evolution of coaching principles, and the future of technology in sports. He also emphasises the cornerstones of junior coaching, the value...

In this episode, Brian Sweeney, Head Coach of Templeogue Swim Club, shares his extensive journey in coaching. We explore the importance of community integration, maximising limited resources, and developing grit in swimmers. He discusses the evolution of coach-athlete relationships, the significance of reflection in coaching practices, and the role of ISCA in supporting Irish swimming coaches. Bri...

In this conversation, Ash and Kevin are joined by Ross Douglas, Kingston Royals Head Coach in London.  Having travelled the world and swam under some incredible coaches, then transitioning into coaching and again working around some fantastic coaches… Ross reflects on his journey and the lessons learned.  We explore competition challenges, sources of learning, reflecting on the impact coaches have...

In this episode, we are joined by Kevin Renshaw, who has worked across three clubs, spent two decades inside British Swimming/Aquatics GB in various roles, coached medallists across Commonwealth, European, World and Olympic levels.   Kevin shares his extensive coaching journey, discussing theevolution of coaching in swimming, the importance of building a strong foundation for young swimmers, and t...

In this conversation, David Fletcher shares his extensive journey from being a competitive swimmer to becoming a sports psychologist and academic. He discusses the importance of sports psychology in enhancing athlete performance, the gaps in education for coaches, and practical tips for those without access to resources. David emphasises the need for emotional intelligence in coaching and the role...

In this conversation, Andrew Sheaff joins us from the USA to share his extensive experience in coaching swimming, emphasising the importance of skill development, the constraints-based coaching approach, and the need for continuous learning and adaptation. He discusses how to engage swimmers in a group setting, the significance of building a coaching culture, and the essential equipment for effect...

In this conversation we are joined by Keiron Piper, head of swimming at Millfield School. He shares his journey from a young swimmer through to his time in coaching. He discusses the influence of his law degree on his coaching philosophy, the importance of mentorship, and his approach to youth development. A key topic we explore is the significance of building connections with athletes and underst...