Diving Latest News
SplashNews Online - April 08 edition
25/04/2008
The April edition of SplashNews Online is now available to view and/or download from the Scottish Swimming website, or by following the link below:
Thanks to everyone who sent in articles and photographs for use in this edition.
If you would like to contribute an article please send the copy to Kirsten Baker, Marketing & Communications Manager at Scottish Swimming. (k.baker@scottishswimming.com)
Details on article deadlines and publication dates can be found on the back page of the document.
Scottish Swimming Welcomes Appointment of 2014 Chief Executive
24/04/2008
Scottish Swimming welcomes the appointment of John Scott to the role of Chief Executive for the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games.
Scott will lead the Organising Company, the body responsible for delivering the Commonwealth Games. Currently the International Director and Director of Drug Free Sport at UK Sport, he has over 30 years of experience in domestic and international sport, including major events.
Scottish Swimming look sforward to working with Scott and his team in supporting the Aquatics programme for 2014.
Speaking in Glasgow Mr Scott said he was “delighted at the opportunity to deliver the Games for Glasgow and Scotland.
“I’m passionate about sport and this is certainly the most exciting opportunity of my career. I’m determined that in 2014 the thousands of athletes, officials, spectators and those watching at home will experience the best Commonwealth Games ever staged.
“The hard work begins now, building on the outstanding foundation provided by the Bid Team. Through these Games, the whole Commonwealth will see what an amazing place Scotland is. With world-class facilities and venues, world – class competition and a fantastic cultural offering we also want to showcase the very best of the city of Glasgow.
“I’m looking forward to working closely with the partners in the Games – the Commonwealth Games Council for Scotland, the Scottish Government, Glasgow City Council and the Commonwealth Games Federation - to make sure that we leave a strong and lasting sporting, social and economic legacy for the next generation in Scotland and throughout the Commonwealth.”
Among Mr Scott’s wide-ranging responsibilities as chief executive include delivering the sports programme, monitoring the development of new and improved infrastructure, managing the staff of the OC which will rise to several hundred people by 2014, and recruiting and training the 15,000 volunteers needed for the Games.
For further information please follow the link to the Glasgow 2014 website, highlighted below:
Scottish Swimming seeks Executive Officer for Performance Team
03/04/2008
Scottish Swimming is looking to employ an experienced Executive Officer to support the Performance Team.
The role will include supporting the Director of Performance in the organisation of Performance Weekends, Training Camps and International Competition, along with the implementation of selections for all National Squads.
Additional information including details on how to apply can be found in the recruitment section of the website (Under 'About') or by following the link below:
Closing Date: Friday 25th April
Interviews: Friday 9th May
Glasgow 2014 - Delivering a Lasting Legacy - Have Your Say
14/03/2008
You are invited to have your say on what the lasting legacy should be from Glasgow hosting the 2014 Commonwealth Games.
The Scottish Government has always made clear that hosting the Commonwealth Games is not just about hosting a two-week sporting festival. It presents Scotland with great opportunities to make material improvements to people's lives.
The Games may be over six years away but it is important that potential benefits are identified at an early stage.
With this in mind the Scottish Government has produced a consultation document setting out the framework for ensuring that Scotland, as a nation, benefits as much as possible from Glasgow hosting the Commonwealth Games in 2014 and, where possible, from the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
The thinking is that the legacy planning should fit broadly into the Scottish Government’s own 5 strategic objectives which reach across key areas of government; Wealthier and Fairer; Healthier, Safer and Stronger, Smarter, Greener).
In particular, replies are wanted to four key questions at the end of the consultation document:
- are the benefits you would like from the Games covered in the paper?
- is there anything else the Government should be doing?
- how can we, individually or collectively, best achieve these aims?
- do you have any other comments to offer on what should feature in the final games benefits and legacy plan?
Your thoughts for the legacy can be submitted online, and a copy of the consultation document found by following the link below:
Submissions should be made by Friday 9 May 2008.
Roundtable Discussion Highlights Volunteer Opportunities for 2012 & 2014
14/03/2008
Scottish Swimming this week played host to representatives from the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games (LOCOG) and Volunteer Development Scotland (VDS).
The National Governing Body for swimming and aquatic disciplines in Scotland was nominated by VDS to host a meeting, to highlight current volunteer developments, which could relate directly to London 2012 and Glasgow 2014.
This was primarily due to:
- Scottish Swimming being the only National Governing Body (sport) in Scotland to have a Volunteer Development Manager in post
- The success of Scottish swimmers and coaches at the 2006 Commonwealth Games
- Scottish Swimming member Lesley Prentice being selected to officiate at Beijing in the Open Water events
- Scottish Swimming having launched successfully a Volunteer Development Strategy
Among the delegates for this meeting were Margaret Riach (National Events Convenor) and Board Sponsor for Volunteering, John Mason.
Following a tour of the National Swimming Academy, the party attended the roundtable discussion at VDS HQ in Stirling where LOCOG’s volunteering plans for the London Olympics and the wider education and cultural legacy were discussed.
At the conclusion of the meetings, George Thomson, Chief Executive of Volunteer Development Scotland, commented.
''We are extremely grateful to Scottish Swimming for giving senior colleagues from LOCOG such an excellent insight into the advances in volunteer development being made for swimming in Scotland and the role of volunteers in its success.
“Their work is a credit to us all, and will help Volunteer Development Scotland contribute to maximising the benefits of 2012 and 2014 for Scotland and the engagement of volunteers in the exciting times ahead.''
Richard Gordon, Director of Coaching & Development at Scottish Swimming, was equally pleased with the Governing Body’s involvement.
“We are delighted that VDS selected Scottish Swimming to meet key LOCOG personnel.
“Scottish Swimming had a very constructive discussion with LOCOG and VDS on issues involved in volunteer development relating to London 2012 and Glasgow 2014.
“We are confident that this will lead to closer working relationships with a view to increasing the number of volunteers both within our sport and at these two major events.”
For any additional information about volunteering with Scottish Swimming, please contact Eilidh McCall, Volunteer Development Manager, on 01783 466520 or by email: e.mccall@scottishswimming.com
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SplashNews Online
12/03/2008
SplashNews online is finally up and running with version 1 available in the downloads section of the Scottish Swimming website, or by following the link below:
If you would like to contribute an article please send the copy to Kirsten Baker, Marketing & Communications Manager at Scottish Swimming (k.baker@scottishswimming.com)
Details on article deadlines and publication dates can be found on Page Four of the document.
New Project Funding Opportunity
10/03/2008
Save the Children and British Gas have announced the next funding round of the Help Yourselves Awards. Help Yourselves Awards of £1,000 are available to fund projects inspired by young people. Examples given on the Help Yourselves Awards website include sports events.
Higher-level Awards of up to £5,000 and £10,000will be available in future funding rounds - so keep an eye on the website for updates.
The £1,000 Help Yourselves Awards will fund projects that have a positive impact on the circumstances and experiences of children and young people.
Guidance suggests successful bids will be for projects that:
- have a positive impact through the improvement of life chances
- are strongly young-person led
- benefit vulnerable and disadvantaged groups
The next deadline for completed applications is FRIDAY 28th MARCH 2008 – with £1,000 funded projects expected to take place betweenJune and the end of August 2008.
Guidance notes, an online application process and the option to download a hard-copy of the application form are available on the website.
Help Yourselves Awards - http://www.helpyourselves.org.uk/helpyourselves/
All enquiries about theHelp Yourselves Awards can be e-mailed to: helpyourselves@savethechildren.org.uk
Notice of Structure Review Information Meeting
04/03/2008
Following on from the AGM presentations given by Allan Fletcher (President) and Maureen Campbell (Chair), an information meeting on the structure review project of the Scottish Amateur Swimming Association will be held on Sunday 14th September 2008 and is open to all SASA members.
Details of venue and time will be confirmed shortly.
AGM 2008 Presentation from Staff, President and Chair
15/02/2008
Two copies of the presentation are now available to preview on the website prior to the AGM being held on Saturday 23rd February at the Aberdeen Thistle Airport Hotel. The first part of the presentation is from the Scottish Swimming staff, reviewing 2007. The second part is from the President and Chair of Scottish Swimming on the structure review project.
Please note that the full colour version is large in size (15MB) and may take some time to download. With this in mind a low resolution, black and white copy has also been posted on the site, which is easily downloadable, although rather pixilated to view.
Please follow the link below to locate the files:
If you experience any problems downloading either of the presentations please contact Kirsten Baker, Marketing & Communications Manager on 01786 466533 or by email, k.baker@scottishswimming.com
SASA's Bid For a British Swimming Intensive Training Centre - Feedback Invited
08/02/2008
Scottish Swimming is pleased to communicate that we are in the process of coordinating a bid for investment from British Swimming for a British Swimming Intensive Training Centre (ITC) based at the National Swimming Academy (NSA) at Stirling University. The ITC would involve a partnership between British Swimming, Scottish Swimming, Stirling University, the Area Institutes of Sport, and the Scottish Institute of Sport (the performance arm of sportscotland).
The Stirling ITC bid will be completed during April 2008. British Swimming will be making decisions on bid submissions from across the UK in July 2008. While we are in no way guaranteed any British investment and ITC status, we felt it appropriate to update you on our bid ideas to date, and to invite any questions or feedback on the bid proposal going forward.
Key Principles
· The ITC would provide a world class environment for swimmers and coaches, focused ultimately on medal success at the Olympics.
· We have decided to put forward the NSA for our bid, in part, because we have quality access to 50m water and dedicated land facilities. Furthermore, the University subsidises our rates by 50%, boasts of a swimming scholarship scheme and has a proven track record of commitment to performance sport.
· The ITC would be managed day to day by Scottish Swimming. The ITC Head Coach and Assistant would be contracted by British Swimming. The ITC Head Coach would have an overview responsibility for two squads, which we are temporarily naming an “A Squad”, and “B Squad”. The ITC A Squad would be led by the Head Coach and an Assistant (approx. 16 swimmers).
· A 2nd Assistant Coach would be contracted to Scottish Swimming and would lead the B Squad.
· The 2 Assistant Coaches would interact with, support, and mentor the area’s coaches.
· In addition to supporting the ITC Head Coach and Assistant on a day to day basis, the Scottish Swimming Performance Director would line manage the National Coach, an Area Institute/Performance Coordinator post, and the ITC B Squad Coach. The team would be supported by a Scottish Swimming performance administrator.
· It is expected that local swimmers and swimmers from throughout the UK will be interested in swimming at the ITC.
· Support for additional performance programmes in Scotland continues to be critical and will continue.
· The Areas Institutes and the Scottish Institute of Sport’s innovative and tailored support services are critical for all Institute swimmers throughout Scotland. This includes ITC swimmers, with the Institute and Central Area Institute being ideally based on the University campus. The Scottish Institute of Sport would continue to lead on technical development for our coaches and performance staff.
· The NSA –Scottish Swimming’s HQ- would continue to host research, testing, & national activity.
· We will host various information sessions following the Olympic trials in April, if not sooner, to ensure that Scotland’s swimmers and coaches are aware in more detail of the options we are pursuing.
Questions on the bid principles and bid process are welcome. Please contact Ally Whike at a.whike@scottishswimming.com.
A second version of the document is available within the downloads section of the Scottish Swimming website, under ‘Useful Publications’:
Visit the diving resource centre for the latest information and downloads on the sport, including national meet information and entry forms, Scottish records and much more.
