Volunteer U18 Head Coach - Water Polo (2 x roles)

The Great Britain Water Polo teams are supported by Swim England, on behalf of Aquatics GB.

Swim England’s Purpose and Vision

As the recognised national governing body for swimming, artistic swimming, diving and water polo in England, Swim England helps people learn how to swim, enjoy the water safely, and compete in all our sports

Our Vision is to champion a healthy and successful nation through swimming and aquatic activity. The ability to swim is a life-skill that is essential to keep us safe in, on and around water. It is one of the nation’s most popular recreational activities enjoyed by millions of people in England.

Swim England, through aquatics, is uniquely placed to tackle inequalities and support health and wellbeing given the activities’ accessibility to people of all ages and abilities. On top of this, aquatics is made up of four amazing Olympic and Paralympic sports with our network of clubs and talent pathways supporting people to realise their full potential in the water.

Swim England Talent Vision…

“A connected and collaborative Aquatic system enabling sustained success on the world stage.”

Swim England Talent Mission…

“Develop the strength and depth of the Aquatic pathway through effective athlete development, to achieve high performance"

In March 2024 we published in full the findings of an independent listening research report commissioned as part of our pledge to create a better future for everyone involved in aquatic sports. We are committed to only recruiting individuals who are as passionate as we are about being on this journey.

To find out more about what we do to work towards achieving our vision, download the full candidate pack from the job description button.

Be a part of our journey to inspire and engage the aquatic community. Dive into your next career opportunity with Swim England!

Are you a visionary leader with a passion for excellence in Water Polo? Do you have what it takes to inspire and lead the future development of the GB & England squads to new heights? Use your expertise to shape the nation’s elite Water Polo players and contribute to the culture and identity of Water Polo - Join us as a Volunteer Age Group Head Coach!

Swim England are looking to appoint two volunteer positions as Age Group Head Coaches to lead both the Men’s and Women’s U18 squads from September 2025-2027. Preparing both GB and England players who are preparing for European events in 2027.

Our ambition is to see the Men’s and Women’s Water Polo teams competing consistently on the world stage by 2032.

You will be at the helm of our U18 squads, responsible for developing and implementing world-class coaching strategies that drive performance and success. By working directly with athletes, coaching staff and sports science/medical professionals you will drive a dynamic and committed team capable of competing at the highest level and achieving success.

This is an exciting career defining volunteer opportunity working within the Water Polo Programme. Swim England’s new 10-year strategy recently launched, which focuses on ensuring our aquatics environments promote an open and welcoming culture, with participant welfare at their heart.

This role plays an integral part in achieving our ambitions as a best-in-class team by ensuring that every player has an individual development plan to enhance their own performance and improve the team’s results. Head coaches will be allocated to teams as a result of the interview and selection process.

Reporting into the Swim England Water Polo Programme Lead and the Swim England Head of Performance, you will lead on developing a strong culture within the Water Polo team, instilling positive and collaborative behaviours that demonstrate commitment to the sport.

Commitment requirement:

As Volunteer Head Coach, you will be the lead responsible for the full training and development of the squad. As such, this role will require travel both in the UK and internationally to attend training, camps and competitions. Locations in the UK will vary, with domestic training often in the North West, Midlands or the South East.

Why join us?

• It’s an exciting time with the opportunity to be part of a change which will unite the water polo community,
• Opportunity to lead a team competing on the European stage,
• Access to dedicated coach development as set out in the Optimal Coach Development Framework (OCDF)

In order to be shortlisted for the next stage in the process you must demonstrate within your application how you meet the following criteria:

We are looking for Coaches with experience and also a commitment to the principles outlined in the Optimal Coach Development Framework (OCDF) at the Performance Pathway and or junior international level.

 Essential

• UKCC Coach course or the older level 2 certification in coaching Water Polo
• An appreciation of sports science, medicine and performance lifestyle disciplines and how they along with coaching, create a progressive talent environment
• Knowledge of safeguarding and an understanding and commitment to safeguarding (Wave Power), inclusion, and equal opportunities
• Demonstrate an empathetic, optimistic coaching style
• Possess an excellent level of emotional intelligence and self-awareness
• Understanding of the demands and challenges of managing a team both domestically and internationally, in training and competition    
• Coaching experience within a national and/or international water polo programme

The candidate must also be willing to undertake an enhanced DBS check alongside relevant safeguarding training. For a full list of criteria please download the attached Job Description.

 Desirable

• Coaching leadership experience within a national or international water polo programme(s)
• Experience implementing practical systems and interventions
• Insight into or experience within, a national talent programme or equivalent
• Understanding of budgetary management and have experience of working within available funding
  

Please be advised that we cannot offer visa sponsorship and that you must have right to work in the UK to apply or be considered for this role. If you are a non UK/EU National, you must have an appropriate working Visa to undertake employment. You must also be working within the UK to apply or be considered for this role, due to the public liability insurance Swim England holds.

Swim England is committed to inclusion and embracing the spirit of all equalities legislation. As a Disability Confident Employer, we actively encourage applications from disabled people. We recognise that the diversity of our workforce is not reflective of today’s society and we are currently operating a pilot scheme whereby applicants from ethnically diverse backgrounds can opt into our guaranteed interview scheme. Candidates that have opted into the scheme will be guaranteed an interview provided that they have demonstrated, within their application, that they meet the essential criteria for the role. When completing the application, applicants from ethnically diverse backgrounds are encouraged to ‘Opt In’ to the scheme, by ticking the box.

Where possible, Swim England will always make reasonable adjustments for accessibility to anyone who requires it. If you would like any of the documentation in a different format or would like to apply in a different way please get in touch via [email protected]. All appointments will be made on merit, following a fair and transparent process, in line with the Equality Act 2010. However, the organisation may employ positive action where candidates from underrepresented groups can demonstrate their ability to perform the role equally well.

Swim England is also committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.

This vacancy is being managed via a Safer Recruitment Process and as part of this recruitment process relevant checks such as self-declarations, references and criminal record checks will be carried out, in accordance with Wavepower.

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