AASE ATHLETES GO OVERSEAS TO TRAIN AND SCHOOL
Close to 50 of the country's brightest young swimming talents
are experiencing an overseas training camp while continuing
a ground-breaking sporting apprenticeship.
Athletes on the pioneering Advanced Apprenticeship in Sporting
Excellence (AASE) programme are currently in Slovenia developing
skills in the water while continuing their education.
The Amateur Swimming Association - one of the first sports
governing bodies to sign up for the scheme - has welcomed
170 aquatic athletes, across all disciplines, onto the Government-funded
AASE programme over the past year.
The group of 49 swimmers, aged 16 and 17, are undergoing
a week-long camp in Slovenia where they train twice a day
while working towards eight units that make up the NVQ Level
3 qualification.
Talent and Development Manager Nick Sellwood is heading up
the camp which offers a very unique environment for many of
the swimmers.
"This is the first time the AASE group has attended
an overseas camp but they've adapted to it very well even
though it is quite an intensive experience," said Sellwood.
"Athletes are training twice a day, which is very similar
to what they'd expect to do on a senior national camp, but
they also have to cover some of the eight units that combine
to make up the AASE."
And Sellwood is delighted with the progress made by the group
despite such a demanding schedule.
"The swimmers are covering far more ground than the
two units we were aiming for but this will be good for them
in the long term as it will take the pressure off their second
year workload.
"Sitting alongside training, athletes receive regular
lectures and presentations to help towards their units. This
week they've developed their knowledge about strength and
conditioning, mental skills and nutrition.
"They're doing well and the staff have been very pleased
with the response of the students. They've shown great skills,
attitude and aptitude."
As part of the programme, athletes will learn about such
key subjects as time management, career planning, nutrition
and training, and communications. This valuable experience
will go towards preparing them for international competition.
The AASE programme will work towards enhancing that talent
by offering a valuable insight, at an early age, as to what
is required to succeed on the international stage.
Developed by SkillsActive, in association with industry experts
and sports governing bodies, AASE is funded in England by
the Learning and Skills Council and aims to meet the needs
of young people to achieve excellence in their sport as their
main career goal while continuing with their education.
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