document signals swimming's aspirations and intent
SubscribeJess Whitehorn 16 July 2008
British Swimming has become the first national governing body to sign a sports science Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with UK Sport and the three home country sport institutes – England, Scotland and Wales.
The purpose of the MoU is to set out and agree, between the English, Scottish, Welsh Institutes of Sport (HCSIs) and UK Sport, the framework within which all of the key partners will operate to impact on the success of British Swimming. The process has been driven by British Swimming and was used to help shape the thinking on future MOUs across all sports.
The document sets out the Sports Science, Sports Medicine partnership aims, philosophy and operational details which each of the partners agrees to in order to aid British Swimming achieve its performance objectives.
National Performance Director Michael Scott has been the driving force behind the initiative and he sees real benefits behind the statement of aspirations and intent that will directly affect British Swimming’s network of Intensive Training Centres.
“Our aim was to set out a framework for a strong, open, performance orientated partnership between British Swimming, the HCSIs and UK Sport. It’s one based on trust, respect and mutual commitment,” said Scott.
The key element of the MoU is a Sports Science, Sports Medicine Partnership designed to provide swimmers and coaches with a world-class service as a vital component of daily training and national team environments.
The MoU will have a direct impact on British Swimming’s intended network of Intensive Training Centres as well as performance clubs through the provision of a vibrant, challenging, performance orientated culture.
It will be underpinned by the continuous development of skills for practitioners and coaches involved within British Swimming and this will have a bearing on maximising performance outcomes.
“The philosophy behind the initiative is athlete centred while being driven by coaches and supported by science and medicine. Its focus is on making a competitive performance difference and will involve ongoing education and learning,” explained Scott.
British Swimming’s work in establishing an MoU will also benefit other governing bodies as UK Sport and the HCSIs look to implement agreements across other sports based on the collaborative efforts and good practice shown in relation to swimming.
UK Sport's Director of Elite Sport Liz Nicholl said:
“In order to support our athletes in producing a truly world class performance in 2012, we must have truly world class sports science and medical provision in place to meet their needs. It is great to see that British Swimming are leading the way for our sports by making an early commitment to doing everything they can to ensure their team is as well prepared as they can be for the challenge ahead. This commitment has been welcomed I know by the EIS as for them it provides a good basis on which to work in the future with others sports, informing a process which will begin later this year.”
A quadrennial programme strategy together with annual plans will be agreed by all partners and put in place with clarity of roles for staff and partners involved in working with British Swimming.
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