On 1st November, 15 swimmers and 7 coaches from five Black Country and South Staffordshire clubs attended a Development Camp at The Royal Wolverhampton School.

The swimmers enjoyed a day packed with information and discussion on basic land training skills, lifestyle and nutrition as well as morning and afternoon pool sessions focussing on individual stroke skills, starts and turns.

Mark Scriven, an expert strength and conditioning consultant, joined Nathan Hilton and Marc Foster to talk to the swimmers about core strength and conditioning training and to work through and practise simple exercises with them. The coaches were able to watch their swimmers put the exercises into practice under the watchful eye of experts.

As the swimmers went off to their first pool session of the day, the club coaches attended a seminar supporting basic land training.

After lunch, it was back to the classroom for a discussion on the lifestyle challenges of a performance athlete, followed by a further two-hour pool session for the swimmers with the support of the club coaches on poolside.

Parents were invited to meet the Performance coaching team and were able to spend some time talking to them about the programme and the opportunities available to all swimmers and clubs in the area.

The club coaches welcomed the opportunity to take part, widen their knowledge and gain valuable experience from Nathan and Marc.

Nathan and Marc are available for club visits either to deliver swim skill sessions or to talk to swimmers, parents and committee on swimming related topics. For further information please contact Nicki Mathers (Performance Academy Coordinator) by email nicki.mathers@westmidlandswimming.org.