Coaches and Officials Frequently Asked Questions

Swimming Australia has a 4 tier swimming coaching system.  Issued Coach Licences recognise combined theory knowledge and practical competency with an agreement to a Code of Behaviour, a nationwide criminal record check, Australian Swimming Coaches and Teachers Association membership and ongoing professional development.

It is recommended that the club coaching pathway usually commences by gaining a Swim Australia Teacher of Competitive Swimming (SAT CS) accreditation or similar.  This can be gained via attendance at a SAT CS course or through application for SAT CS Recognition of Current Competency (RCC).

The Foundation Coaching Course has the competence to teach junior Swimmers (i.e. Swimmers 12-years and younger) who are in the early stages of the competitive swimming development (advanced learn to swim, mini squads, junior squads and recreational swimming squads) and/or assist a suitably qualified and licenced Coach in the delivery of competitive swimming programs for age group (i.e. 13-18 years) and open Swimmers (training squads).

The Development Coaching Course will focus on promoting participation in competitive swimming, developing a broader range of skills and techniques for Club swimmers, encouraging swimmers to compete at district level and above all, encourage participation, swimming for fun, play and skills and a safe swimming environment.

The Advanced course will focus on benchmarking, education and continuous improvement, promoting participation in competitive swimming at Country, State and above-level competitions, striving for performance and enjoyment to compete, development of the Club information, education and resources and business development of membership and participation.

A Performance qualification will focus on promoting participation in competitive swimming at Age and Open National level competitions, striving for performance, development of the Club, information, education and resources, development of swimmers for high performance achievements and National Team selection, benchmarking, education and continuous improvement.
 

Costs to complete Courses (below is an approximate cost only – price may increase/decrease depending the number of individuals registered and costs to run the course such as presenter fee, venue hire, travel/accommodation).

ASTCA Foundation Coaching Course

Pre-requisite:  Swim Australia Teacher qualification or equivalent

Cost:    approx. $360

Swimming Australia Coaching Qualifications

Pre-requisite:  ASTCA Foundation Course

Cost:    approx. $320 - $360

Participants must be a minimum of 16 years of age to undertake the course but cannot teach until reaching 17 years of age.

There are only a couple of clubs/venues that do swimming camps/clinics.   All Clubs that facilitate these will have provisions for all swimmers to attend these sessions.  

SwimmingSA and ascta can assist with advice when clubs are recruiting for a Coach and can assist in promoting the vacancy.

Other websites such as SEEK and Sportspeople can be utilised to advertise both paid and volunteer roles within Clubs.

Part of being a coach is having difficult conversations with Athletes, other coaches, parents and committee members.  Swimming Australia created a coaching resource called the S.P.A.D.E Solution for all coaches.

To understand more about this and how it can assist you click here.

For assistance, please follow the attached guide here.

Technical officials are all the awesome volunteers you will see around pool deck and within the control room at events.

There are plenty of ways that you can get involved, if you would like to know more please contact admin@sa.swimming.org.au.