The online course now includes a mix of interactive activities and videos from experienced coaches that are mobile-friendly and is followed by a face-to-face workshop and practical assessment tasks.

Swimming Australia’s General Manager of Coaching Development Graeme Hill said the Learning Centre allowed the course to be developed as a series of bite-sized modules that coaches could pick up and work on at times that suited them, providing a more personalised and flexible approach to learning.

“We are committed to a blend of learning models,” Hill said. “We can have coaches learn content online and then apply and reinforce their learning in an interactive face-to-face workshop.”

The Development Coaching course is the entry level of the Swimming Australia National Coaching Framework, focussed on quality coaching that creates a strong foundation to support coaches as they begin their coaching journey.

“It’s not just about vertical progression through the coaching pathway, we’re looking at creating coaching excellence at all levels through continuous horizontal development of coaches at each stage of the National Coaching Framework,” Hill said. “We have a focus on building future content which complements our core course and provides continuous development opportunities within each level, as well as opportunities to progress. The Learning Centre allows us to present a suggested learning catalogue to every learner.”

The Swimming Australia Learning Centre also houses the Masters Swimming Coach course and a range of short courses for technical officials, with plans to continue building on these resources.