Post Age Group Swim Coach
Reports to Head of Performance Coach
Contract Permanent, full time
Hours 35 hours per week
Salary Dependent on experience, plus pension contribution
Location Primarily Tollcross International Swimming Centre, with coaching delivery and competition attendance across Glasgow and the UK
Regulated role This post is a regulated role under the PVG scheme (Disclosure Scotland) and involves regulated work with children
Closing date 04/12/26
About the Club
City of Glasgow Swim Team is a leading performance swimming club for the City of Glasgow, based at Tollcross International Swimming Centre and delivering across a network of Glasgow venues. The club operates a full athlete development pathway, from entry into competitive swimming through to regional, national and international representation.
The club works in partnership with Scottish Swimming, Glasgow Life and sportscotland-funded programmes, and is committed to the national standards for child wellbeing and protection in sport. Coaches within the club are expected to work within the Scottish Swimming coaching framework and to contribute to the wider development of the sport in Scotland.
Summary of Role
The Age Group Swim Coach plays a pivotal role within the City of Glasgow Swim Team performance pathway, leading the development of swimmers within key transition stages of the programme and supporting their progression toward regional, national and, where appropriate, international standards.
Working collaboratively with the Head & Performance Coach and the wider coaching team, the post-holder is responsible for creating engaging, challenging and athlete-centred environments that develop technical excellence, competitive confidence and long-term performance potential.
The role contributes to the consistent implementation of the club coaching philosophy, athlete development framework and culture across all programmes, and aligns with the Scottish Swimming athlete pathway and the sportscotland principles for effective coaching in Scotland.
Key Responsibilities
Athlete Development
Lead the planning, delivery and evaluation of programmes for designated development and age-group squads.
Create athlete-centred environments that support long-term development and sustained participation.
Deliver individualised coaching support and constructive performance feedback.
Monitor athlete progression against agreed pathway benchmarks, including Scottish Swimming national programme criteria where relevant.
Support athletes through key transitions within the club pathway, including into regional and national programme activity.
Competition Programme
Prepare athletes for competition through effective race planning, taper and performance review.
Attend competitions, camps and club events as required, including Scottish Swimming district and national events.
Contribute to competition strategy and athlete selection discussions.
Support athletes in developing positive competition behaviours and routines.
Pathway Delivery
Contribute to the implementation of the club athlete development framework in line with the Scottish Swimming performance pathway and the National Framework for Swimming in Scotland.
Maintain accurate athlete attendance and progression records, using club and Scottish Swimming athlete management systems.
Work collaboratively with coaches across the pathway to ensure smooth athlete transitions.
Support the identification and development of future performance athletes, including nominees for Scottish Swimming district and national programmes.
Collaboration and Communication
Develop positive relationships with athletes, parents, carers and coaches.
Work collaboratively with strength and conditioning providers, support staff and partner organisations, including Glasgow Life and Scottish Swimming performance staff.
Contribute positively to coaching meetings and programme reviews.
Promote consistent communication across the coaching team and with the club committee.
Culture, Welfare and Professional Standards
Act as a positive role model aligned with the club's values and behaviours.
Contribute to a high-performance culture that values effort, learning, wellbeing, inclusion and continuous improvement, consistent with sportscotland's equality and inclusion expectations.
Maintain safeguarding and welfare standards at all times, working within the Scottish Swimming Wellbeing and Protection Policy and the sportscotland standards for child wellbeing and protection in sport.
Comply with the Coaches' Code of Conduct and all club and Scottish Swimming policies, procedures and guidelines.
Undertake relevant continuous professional development (CPD) and contribute to an environment of continuous learning.
Person Specification
Shortlisting is carried out against the criteria below. Applicants should address each of the essential criteria in their application.
Education, Qualifications and Training
Essential
Scottish Swimming Coaching Qualification (SSCQ) Swimming, or a current Level 2 Coaching Swimming qualification (SASA / Scottish Swimming / Swim England / Swim Wales or equivalent).
Current Child Wellbeing and Protection in Sport qualification, renewable every three years.
PVG scheme membership through Disclosure Scotland, or the ability to obtain it prior to appointment.
Current Scottish Swimming membership, or the ability to obtain it.
Current first aid and water rescue competency appropriate to the role.
Desirable
Level 3 in Coaching Swimming, or the higher-level Scottish Swimming coaching qualification.
Degree or equivalent qualification in sport, sports science or a related discipline.
Formal coach development through a sportscotland, Scottish Swimming or UK Sport programme.
Scottish Coaching Certificate (SCC) awards mapped to the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF).
Experience
Essential
Coaching within a competitive swimming environment.
Planning, delivering and evaluating training programmes.
Supporting athletes at competitions.
Experience of working with parents, carers and volunteers.
Desirable
Experience of coaching swimmers to district, Scottish or British national age-group level.
Working within a multidisciplinary performance environment.
Experience of mentoring assistant coaches or volunteers.
Experience of using Hy-Tek Team Manager, Team Unify/Sports Engine and athlete management systems.
Contributing to selection and race planning processes.
Knowledge, Skills and Competencies
Essential
Understanding of athlete development and swimming performance pathways.
Strong technical swimming knowledge.
Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
Ability to motivate and engage young athletes.
Effective planning and organisational skills.
Ability to work collaboratively within a coaching team.
Desirable
Knowledge of Scottish Swimming performance programmes and national squad structures.
Understanding of athletic development, growth and maturation.
Knowledge of strength and conditioning principles for young athletes.
Understanding of the sportscotland Effective Coaching principles and the Scottish Coaching Certificate framework.
Personal Attributes and Behaviours
Essential
Commitment to safeguarding, wellbeing and inclusion in sport.
Positive, athlete-centred approach consistent with the club's values.
Commitment to continuous professional development.
Reliability, flexibility and willingness to work evenings, weekends and away from home as the competition calendar requires.
Desirable
Ambition to progress within the Scottish Swimming coaching pathway.
Evidence of ongoing personal CPD and reflective practice.
Terms of Appointment
35 hours per week.
Salary will be dependent on experience per annum, plus pension contribution.
Annual leave and other terms in accordance with the club's staff handbook.
Appointment is subject to satisfactory references and successful completion of Disclosure Scotland PVG checks and safeguarding checks, in line with the Scottish Swimming safer recruitment process.
The post-holder must hold and maintain valid Scottish Swimming membership, a valid PVG check through Scottish Swimming (renewable every five years) and a current Child Wellbeing and Protection in Sport workshop (renewable every three years).
The post-holder will be required to work with persons under 18 years of age and must hold a valid coaching qualification to coach the group they are allocated.
Travel across Glasgow and to competitions within the UK is required. Expenses will be paid in line with club policy.
How to Apply
Applications should be submitted by 03/12/26 to Club President Rose Whittle on president.rw@swimglasgow.co.uk, and should include:
A current CV.
A supporting statement, of no more than two pages, addressing the essential criteria in the person specification.
Contact details for two referees, one of whom should be able to comment on your coaching practice.
City of Glasgow Swim Team is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion. Applications are welcomed from all sections of the community, and reasonable adjustments will be made to the recruitment process on request.
City of Glasgow Swim Team is committed to safeguarding and promoting the wellbeing of children and protected adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.