OFFSHORE CENTRE LOOKS TO RECRUIT MALE TALENT
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 fourth year and opportunities
will soon arise for the next wave of swimmers to follow in
the wake of such names as Commonwealth Champions David Carry
and Dean Milwain.
Out of the 10 boys currently training at TSS, six of them
will be graduating in November which will allow British Swimming
to recruit further numbers into a programme that has already
proved so successful for British Swimming, TSS and of course
the athletes themselves.
British Swimming Head Coach at TSS Chris Nesbit is looking
forward to hearing from interested swimmers and parents over
the next few weeks.
"British Swimming will be looking to recruit boys that
have completed their GCSEs in June of 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.
"British Swimming will be looking at performances at
the British Championships in Manchester later this month and
will be holding interviews with swimmers and parents interested
immediately after," said Nesbit.
"We'll also be looking at the Youth Championships in
July. If we select swimmers in April, we'll look to top up
places in July after we follow the same interviewing process."
All interviews will take place with parents and will be conducted
by a panel including British Swimming Head Coach Ian Turner,
Chris Nesbit and Director of World Class Programmes John Atkinson.
"We want these interviews to be a two-way process where
we can find out more about the swimmers while athletes and
parents can learn more about what is on offer at TSS,"
said Nesbit.
"The Offshore Centre is working and the results are
there for all to see. We had two former students win gold
medals at last year's Commonwealth Games and at the European
Junior Championships last year our current crop of athletes
walked away with five medals.
"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."
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
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