In this conversation we are joined by Keiron Piper, head of swimming at Millfield School.

He shares his journey from a young swimmer through to his time in coaching. He discusses the influence of his law degree on his coaching philosophy, the importance of mentorship, and his approach to youth development.

A key topic we explore is the significance of building connections with athletes and understanding their individual journeys. He also addresses the challenges of transitioning young athletes and the unique environment of coaching in a school setting.

Throughout the discussion, Keiron reflects on measuring success as a coach and the importance of technical development in swimming.

You can connect with Keiron here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keiron-piper-51109356/

We mention Gareth Sandford, who you can hear more from here: https://www.supportingchampions.co.uk/036-gareth-sandford-on-working-with-the-worlds-best-coaches/

You can find out more about our AP Race Coaches Community and join us for one of our FREE CPD's here: https://aprace.club/pages/coaches-community

Kathy Johnstone is a former GB swimmer, a 2x Commonwealth Games swimmer for Scotland and a seasoned strength and conditioning coach. She shares her journey from being a competitive swimmer to becoming a strength and conditioning coach, emphasising the importance of simplicity in training, the role of other sports in athlete development, and the challenges faced as a female coach in a male-dominated environment. 

Kathy also discusses effective engagement strategies for young athletes, the significance of movement patterns, and the necessity of balancing commitments to swimming and other sports. She also highlights the importance of gamification in training, especially during plateaus, the transfer of skills from land to water, and the future of strength and conditioning in swimming.

You can connect with Kathryn including her incredible blog via the links below:

https://www.instagram.com/coachkathy_swim/

https://hamiltonaquatics.ae/blogdetail/71/sacrifice

Don’t forget we have lots of free CPDs coming up. You can find out more, check out our new website and see our other coaches resources here:

⁠https://aprace.club/pages/coaches-community

This we are joined by Craig Robertson, PhD. He is a Sport Scientist specialising in physiology and performance analysis at Swim England. With over 15 years’ experience as a coach and SSSM practitioner, he has supported athletes across the entire Swim England pathway — from the county and regional programmes through to the Olympic Games.

In addition to his role at Swim England, Craig lectures part-time at Leeds Beckett University on physiology and aquatics modules and contributes to the development of future coaches through the Institute of Swimming’s Senior Coach Programme.

In this conversation, Craig discusses the importance of curiosity in coaching and physiology, emphasising the need for continuous learning and adaptation in training methods. He explores the implementation of energy systems in coaching, the significance of understanding female athlete development, and the balance between capacity and intensity in training. Craig also highlights the importance of building a strong foundation for young athletes and the role of research in informing coaching practices.

You can connect with Craig on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/craig-robertson-2a80ba137/

This week we are joined by Ben Negus, Head Coach at City of Peterborough Swimming Club, a.k.a. COPS!

In this conversation, Ben shares his extensive coaching journey, emphasising the importance of resourcefulness, communication, and the development of both technical skills and personal behaviours in swimmers.

We explore the challenges faced at COPS, the significance of intention in coaching, and the need for continuous learning and reflection. Ben highlights the balance between achieving competitive success and fostering personal growth in athletes, offering valuable insights for aspiring coaches.

You can connect with Ben via Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bennegus1978/

Check out our new website and coaches resources below, as well as sign up for any of our NINE free coach CPD’s across England and Scotland this summer: https://aprace.club/pages/coaches-community

In this conversation, Michael Glossop shares his unique journey in coaching. We discuss the importance of balance, identity, and legacy in the world of sports.

Michael reflects on his experiences in swimming and how stepping away from coaching has provided him with new perspectives on the challenges faced by coaches.

Michael emphasises the need for support, collaboration across sports, and the value of informal learning spaces. He also highlights the significance of family time and the importance of enjoying the journey rather than solely focusing on outcomes.

You can connect with Michael on Linked-in: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-glossop-59128717a/

Check out our new website and coaches resources below, as well as sign up for any of our NINE free coach CPD’s across England and Scotland this summer: https://aprace.club/pages/coaches-community

In this conversation we speak to Team Ipswich's long time Head Coach, Dave Champion.

Dave shares with us his extensive coaching journey, discussing the evolution of his coaching philosophy, the importance of creating a positive training environment, and the significance of fun and challenge in athlete development. He reflects on past coaching practices, the impact of influential figures like Bill Sweetenham, and the importance of continuous learning and well-being for coaches.

Dave emphasises the need for emotional resilience and the value of empowering athletes to believe in themselves, ultimately defining success as happiness and fulfilment in coaching.

You can connect with Dave on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davechamp1105/

Check out our new website and coaches resources here:

https://aprace.club/pages/coaches-community

In this episode of The Coaches Lane, Alan Lynn, the Head of Performance Coach Development for Aquatics GB, shares his extensive journey in aquatics.

He emphasises the importance of curiosity, persistence, and continuous learning in coaching. He discusses the need for coaches to take an active role in their development, the characteristics that define successful coaches, and the balance between aspirations and realistic goals in coaching.

Alan also highlights the significance of health and well-being for coaches and outlines the exciting future of coaching in Great Britain, with a focus on collaboration and support for coaches at all levels.

As part of our ongoing push for more support for coaches and great development opportunities, AP Race has joined forces with Aquatics GB and the three Home Nations for a two-day conference in Manchester on the 9th and 10th September. Included will be keynotes, workshops and pool based sessions, led by coaches from across the World Class Programme, as well as a conference dinner at the end of day one. The focus will be largely towards the science of coaching, looking at the research and providing thought-provoking questions on what we do… why we do it… and how we do it. 

Final details are being confirmed by Aquatics GB, but you can secure your place for £85.00, which includes meals across the event and access to all sessions. Accommodation for those staying will need to be arranged separately. The event will be located at the Hyatt Hotel, Manchester Metropolitan University Institute of Sport and the Manchester Aquatics Centre. 

Register here: https://britishswimming.formstack.com/forms/home_nations_coaching_conference_2025_registration_form_1

Don't forget to check out our NEW website, https://aprace.club/

Don't forget, one of Mel's former athletes, Olympic Champion Anna Hopkin, will be presenting at the AP Race London International 2025 as part of our Coach CPD, which you can find out more and register for here: ⁠https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/ap-race-events/ap-race-london-international-2025-coach-cpd-saturday-24th-may-coach-cpd/e-ajmlre⁠

Contact the podcast team here: ⁠https://forms.gle/d1A2giJs2ir3eUnS7⁠

Head to the AP Race homepage here:

⁠⁠https://aprace.club/⁠⁠

We have a wide range of support for coaches and you can find out more about our face to face CPD’s via our coaching website. These CPD’s run across the year and are generally available 2-3 months prior to each event.

Our coaches landing page can be found here: ⁠⁠⁠https://coaches.aprace.club/⁠⁠⁠

We have a drop in Zoom call once a month for coaches which we then upload onto YouTube afterwards for those who cannot make it to join the live discussion - Sign up to our mailing list to hear about this and much more: ⁠⁠⁠https://coaches.aprace.club/contact/mailing-list/⁠⁠⁠

We also have a free mental health and wellbeing check-in which we would urge you to sign up for.

Register for our coaches wellbeing check-in here: ⁠⁠⁠https://coaches.aprace.club/wellbeing⁠/⁠⁠

We have a resources page on our website we are constantly adding to: ⁠⁠⁠https://coaches.aprace.club/resources/⁠⁠⁠

Social pages:

Follow us on Instagram and Facebook:

⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/apraceofficial⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/apracecoaches⁠

In this conversation, Olympic Gold Medalist, Anna Hopkin shares her journey from a competitive swimmer to a performance lifestyle advisor and her role with AP Race post retirement. She discusses the importance of balance in training, the influence of coaches on her development, and the significance of maintaining variety in sports. Other topics included:

• Specialising too early in a sport can hinder development.
• Variety in training helps maintain motivation and enjoyment.
• Coaches play a crucial role in supporting athletes' journeys.
• Open communication between athletes and coaches is essential.
• Transitions between different coaching programs can be positive.
• Maintaining other sports can enhance swimming performance.
• Education should be prioritised alongside sports. also touches on the importance of breaking taboos surrounding female health and creating a culture of understanding and support within the coaching community.

Anna will be presenting to coaches at the AP Race London International 2025 as part of our Coach CPD, which you can find out more and register for here: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/ap-race-events/ap-race-london-international-2025-coach-cpd-saturday-24th-may-coach-cpd/e-ajmlre

Contact the podcast team here: ⁠https://forms.gle/d1A2giJs2ir3eUnS7⁠

Head to the AP Race homepage here:

⁠https://aprace.club/⁠

We have a wide range of support for coaches and you can find out more about our face to face CPD’s via our coaching website. These CPD’s run across the year and are generally available 2-3 months prior to each event.

Our coaches landing page can be found here: ⁠⁠https://coaches.aprace.club/⁠⁠

We have a drop in Zoom call once a month for coaches which we then upload onto YouTube afterwards for those who cannot make it to join the live discussion - Sign up to our mailing list to hear about this and much more: ⁠⁠https://coaches.aprace.club/contact/mailing-list/⁠⁠

We also have a free mental health and wellbeing check-in which we would urge you to sign up for.

Register for our coaches wellbeing check-in here: ⁠⁠https://coaches.aprace.club/wellbeing/⁠⁠

We have a resources page on our website we are constantly adding to: ⁠⁠https://coaches.aprace.club/resources/⁠⁠

Social pages:

Follow us on Instagram and Facebook:

⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/apraceofficial⁠⁠

⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/apracecoaches⁠

In this conversation, Sean Balmer shares his extensive coaching journey, emphasising the importance of treating coaching like a business, fostering honest conversations, and maintaining a culture of excellence.

He discusses the non-negotiables in coaching, the significance of being present, and the empowerment of both coaches and swimmers. Sean also highlights the critical role of skills development and the mentality required for success in swimming, drawing from his experiences with various athletes.

Contact the podcast team here: ⁠https://forms.gle/d1A2giJs2ir3eUnS7⁠

Head to the AP Race homepage here:

⁠https://aprace.club/⁠

We have a wide range of support for coaches and you can find out more about our face to face CPD’s via our coaching website. These CPD’s run across the year and are generally available 2-3 months prior to each event.

Our coaches landing page can be found here: ⁠⁠https://coaches.aprace.club/⁠⁠

We have a drop in Zoom call once a month for coaches which we then upload onto YouTube afterwards for those who cannot make it to join the live discussion - Sign up to our mailing list to hear about this and much more: ⁠⁠https://coaches.aprace.club/contact/mailing-list/⁠⁠

We also have a free mental health and wellbeing check-in which we would urge you to sign up for.

Register for our coaches wellbeing check-in here: ⁠⁠https://coaches.aprace.club/wellbeing/⁠⁠

We have a resources page on our website we are constantly adding to: ⁠⁠https://coaches.aprace.club/resources/⁠⁠

Social pages:

Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook:

⁠⁠https://twitter.com/apraceofficial⁠⁠

⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/apraceofficial⁠⁠

⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/apracecoaches⁠