OFFSHORE CENTRE LOOKS TO RECRUIT NEW WAVE
British Swimming is looking to recruit the next wave of young,
male swimming talent to its Offshore Centre based at The Southport
School (TSS) on the Gold Coast, Australia.
The scheme, which offers education and swimming development
at one of Australia's most renowned academic and sporting
institutions, is now in it's fifth year and the opportunity
has arisen for three swimmers to follow in the wake of such
names as Commonwealth Champions David Carry and Dean Milwain.
Of the 10 boys currently training at TSS, six of them will
graduate in November and British Swimming is currently looking
to recruit three further athletes to join a trio that has
already been identified.
Ultimately swimmers will be joining a unique programme that
has proved so successful for British Swimming, TSS and of
course the athletes themselves.
Last week Offshore Centre swimmer Richard Charlesworth (Hatfield)
won gold at the European Junior Open Water Championships to
become the latest name to be added to the centre's impressive
list of achievements.
And the rest of the Offshore Centre squad will be in action
later this month at the European Junior Championships in Belgium
as well as the ASA Youth and National Championships in Sheffield.
British Swimming Head Coach at TSS Chris Nesbit is looking
forward to seeing his squad in action and will be in Sheffield
at the ASA Championships where he wants to hear from interested
swimmers and parents.
"British Swimming will be looking to recruit boys that
have completed their GCSEs this year with a view to continuing
their education at TSS via the A-Level equivalent, and internationally
recognisable, OP qualification over a two-year period,"
said Nesbit.
The Australian school year would see the new recruits start
their time on the Gold Coast in January 2008.
"What we're looking for now is the next wave of talent
to take the programme forward to the next level to ensure
we're producing the same standard of results in the future
if not better," said Nesbit.
"There are so many great opportunities at Southport
and for prospective swimmers in the distance events it's a
very good move. We have some of the best distance swimmers
in the country at TSS and we've put in place a great support
structure.
"British Swimming consultant Bob Trefene is close by
and on hand to help and he's been instrumental in developing
David Davies into one of Britain's greatest ever distance
swimmers.
"We've also had some real successes in the sprint events
over the past year. What the programme offers now is a varied
programme that caters for all swimmers from sprint to distance."
British Swimming National Performance Director has been please
with the progress of the Offshore Centre and believes it to
be the perfect move for young swimmers aiming for success
in 2012.
"It really is a fantastic programme. It's moved forward
a great deal under the leadership of Chris Nesbit and efforts
of Liam du Feur and will produce an outstanding group of male
athletes for 2012," said Sweetenham.
"Since it's launch five years ago the programme has
grown and developed, and is producing some very exciting results."
The aim of the Offshore Centre is to bridge the gap between
the junior ranks and senior set-up and it has succeeded to
do this over the past four years.
Students selected will be able to make the most of the schools
12-lane, 50m pool and 6-lane, 25m pools which are both outdoors.
The school also has an impressive and fully-equipped gym and
access to all facilities is unlimited which sets it apart
from programmes based in Britain.
The Southport School is a private boarding facility and offers
excellent academic facilities with world-class sports coaching
in swimming, rugby, football and many other sports.
British Swimming is inviting swimmers and parents to apply
for further information on the Offshore Centre and TSS education
and are invited to email Head Coach Chris Nesbit at chris.nesbit@tss.qld.edu.au
<mailto:chris.nesbit@tss.qld.edu.au>
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