Good Luck From all at Ashbourne I would like to congratulate Matthew Holts on his Midland Qualifying times in
It has been several years since Ashbourne has had a swimmer at regional level. Kirsty Durose was the last swimmer to attend the regional’s. The competitions is over two weekend on the 4th, 5th June and 11,12th June at Coventry. You will be able to track Matthews results via the internet.
Everyone at Ashbourne wishes Matti the best of luck.
These five swimmers represented Ashbourne in the Derbyshire championship and they did it in exceptional style, with personal best times, several gold, silver and bronze medals and Matthew qualified for several Midland and District events 200fc / 200 im / 200 br. Matthew also came 2nd in the BAGCAT awards. These swimmers have all done us proud, they were very often there on their own, next year lets get everyone there and be a team – we are good enough and these 5 have proved how well we can do it. Please get your entry forms in for Retford and Derby Open Meet. My totally respect to the five swimmers that attended, you were all a pleasure to watch and coach. Top work guys. Oh and the Matlock swimmers........say anyone that wants any additional training is always welcome.
Di Lee
To All at Ashbourne Swimming Club I am sure many of you are already aware that I have recently been selected to be your new Head Coach. I would just like to provide the club with a brief view of my background and how things are going to work over a trial period. Past Experiences I have always being a competitive swimmer , I have been teaching and coaching since the age of 16 and have a wide range of teaching and sports related qualifications. I was previously Head Coach at Buxton Swimming Club, I left Buxton when I felt I had reached all my goals within the club. After Buxton, I became Assistant Coach at Matlock Swimming Club, which provided me with fresh goals and new opportunities. I still continue to train, compete and coach for Matlock and this will not change. I will now just share my time and effort between these two excellent Derbyshire Clubs. This could hold massive benefits and opportunities for the swimmers at Ashbourne, as it will provide them with a wide friendship range at open meet competitions and galas. We can organise friendly novice galas etc to increase the range of local, on the door step competitive opportunities. I also am a Sport Lecturer at the University of Derby and I do this part time, my teaching degree and sports science and sports psychology degree will help and support the swimmers here at Ashbourne. I also help with my partners business, Results Fitness and Swimming ,this is a private enterprise that offers one to one swimming coaching, personal training, and triathlon coaching. The reason for me holding down three part time jobs, well actually now four, is that I am an International triathlete. Towards the end of my competitive swimming career, my coach steered me towards triathlon, I found my niche in this sport and quickly worked my way up to long distance triathlon events where I have been selected to represent the GB team. In the last 18 months I have achieved two European titles and ranked 4th at the recent World Championships. My training is obviously high priority and this is why I work part time and late hours to fit around my training programmes.
Now I have filled you in on my current situation you will understand why I will not be your traditional Head Coach. Ashbourne have struggled to gain a new Head Coach and I understand that Derbyshire ASA were beginning to pressure the club. I have worked in a small club and understand the difficulty it imposes and how hard it is to maintain a small town clubs reputation in the swimming world. Because of my passion for swimming this is why I felt the need to step on board and try to help Ashbourne out to the best of my ability. How’s it going to Work The club is clearly a strong and well functioning team with many helpers and teachers already well established and respected within the club, which is a pleasure to see, therefore my job is going to be a little easier already. Due to my other commitments that i have highlighted above, I will not be attending all group sessions, however I will be in charge of the organisation and coaching structure especially for the junior and senior swimmers. Below are my main responsibilities - To attend the club once a week Monday evenings - To attend a Wednesday evening every 6 weeks - To design and devise the annual training plan - Split the swimming season into Macro/meso and micro cycles (depending on clubs competition calendar) - Provide tailored training sessions for the junior and senior squads. - Include all principles of training within the sessions overload/intensity/tapers etc - Programmes will be detailed with turn rounds, distances and aims clearly set - To provide feedback to swimmers on a regular basis and check log books every two weeks.
Many parents may feel this is not enough contact time with the swimmers, however I feel the benefits are still huge in comparison to not having a Head Coach at all. The main benefits are listed below - The club would be working to a specific programme with structure and effective training methods - Targets and goals can be re-established - Improved management of the annual training programme - Access to my coaching skills and experiences - Varity of coaches/teachers working to the same set up, this would provide different teaching method and styles that will help bring out the children’s full potential. - The club will regain a Head Coach status with DASA and meet all swim 21 criteria - Increased motivation for swimmers - Relief for those that have been helping over a difficult period - Improved team cohesions If we can work together I know this can work and the swimmers will reap the benefits of quality coaching and hard work. . I hope this provides you with my aims for the club and what I can and can’t offer you as a Head Coach I am very aware the situation is not ideal but I will be as dedicated to the club as possible and do my up most to bring out each and every swimmers potential whether that be to reach national level swimming, county /midland, leisure /recreational and even social. This club can reach everyone’s needs and more. I look forward to this challenge and helping out, it can work positively. There is much to organise to ensure we communicate with one other however I hope to have an email address set up shortly so swimmers can contact me regarding session feedback, times etc. I would encourage all senior swimmers and top end junior swimmers to keep a training log book this will help me monitor performance on an individual basis. I am sure there will be questions and answers people will want to ask, so please don’t hesitate to ask myself or the committee. So to everyone at Ashbourne swimming, let start working hard, working together and start showing the DASA we are back on the map and will be back up fighting at the Derbyshire champs 2011. Bring it on!
Di Lee ( Head Coach)
|
