British Swimming ITC Programme - Bath

British Swimming ITC Bath is based on the university campus, in the 50m pool centre. The ITC programme is run by Head Coach, David McNulty, who is supported by Graeme Antwhistle as Assistant Coach. A number of sports science and sports medicine specialists, including a full-time Performance Scientist make up the ITC Bath team.

David McNulty, the former Durham Aquatics Coach joins the ITC Bath programme after a stint as a British Swimming Coach, based at Loughborough University and a highly successful Olympic year, which saw him lead Jo Jackson to a bronze medal in Beijing. David has been part of the British Swimming team staff for many years and has coached at 2 Olympic Games, 3 World Championships, 2 European Championships and 1 Commonwealth Games, where his swimmers have medalled at all these major championships.

Graeme Antwhistle has been Head Coach at the Borough of Stockton for the past ten years, where he coached Jemma Lowe from European Junior Champion in 2006 to Olympic Finalist in Beijing this year.  Graeme was also responsible for leading Jessica Dickons to her World Short Course bronze medal in the World Championships in Manchester this year.

Performance Environment and ITC Facilities

The Sports Training Village (STV) is a purpose-built and self-contained sports complex located on campus. It offers one of the most inspirational high performance training environments in the country.

Testament to its commitment to sports excellence, the University of Bath is home to 14 National Governing Bodies, including British Swimming, GB Rowing, GB Modern Pentathlon and the England RFU Academy – all of which run parts of their elite programmes from the University.  The English Institute of Sport also has its regional office on campus at Bath.

Facilities at the Sports Training Village include the 50m pool centre, Performance Gym, spinning rooms, weights areas, sports halls, 60m indoor and 400m outdoor track, all of which are accessible to the ITC athlete group.

The Sports Training Village houses some of the country’s best Sports Science and Sports Medicine equipment and services, which all meet the high technical standards set by the BOA.

The Sports Injury Clinic and Human Performance Centre, Video Analysis Suite, Hydrotherapy Centre and Biomechanics Laboratory collectively form the Sports Science and Sports Medicine facilities available for the ITC programme. 

The ITC Science and Medicine support programme is designed to provide a world-class service platform, tailored to swimming-specific requirements and focused on improving competitive performances of ITC athletes. 

In addition to the sports science and medicine facilities at the STV, Bath University has three physiology laboratories, a hypoxic chamber and plans are also in progress to develop a Cryotherapy Centre and Altitude Hotel at the university.

University of Bath

The University of Bath, as one of the top 10 performing British Universities, has a prestigious, international reputation both academically and for its outstanding amenities particularly its on-campus world class sports facilities. University of Bath has high standards of entry and a strong academic focus, yet it has also developed tailor-made sport-specific courses specifically to appeal to competitive athletes in full-time training.

Academic Programmes

The department of Sports Development and Recreation at the University of Bath delivers a range of academic and vocational programmes to best meet the needs of competitive athletes in full-time training.

The Foundation Degree Sport and the BSc (Hons) Sport are particularly designed to appeal to those students performing at a very high standard in their chosen sport. These courses are aimed at athletes who traditionally miss out on degree-level study because they have chosen to focus on achieving their sporting goals.

Flexible study options are available to athletes on sports courses and can be negotiated on a case-by-case basis with other academic departments.

The University’s sports department has developed special partnerships with Wiltshire College and two local secondary schools, Ralph Allen (State sector) and Monkton Combe (independent) in order to ensure that the widest possible academic options are available to all ITC athletes.

Scholarship/ Athlete Support Manager, Edd Vahid, is happy to meet potential student athletes to discuss transition related issues. One to one mentoring can be provided via the TASS PALS programme. Edd has undertaken the level 3 TASS PALS Athlete Lifestyle Support Programme. The Deputy Director Training and Development, Nicky Fossey-Lewis is also UK Sport Performance Lifestyle accredited.

Accommodation

A variety of University accommodation and room types are available on and off campus including room options such as en suite bathroom, studio, standard room and suite pod.

University accommodation is guaranteed for one academic session to all new full time ITC students in their first year studying Bachelor’s and Masters undergraduate programmes on the Claverton campus.

More detailed information can be found on www.bath.ac.uk/accommodation

Scholarships

A range of scholarship programmes is designed to support an athlete’s progression and development.  Three scholarship packages are available to British Swimming ITC Bath athletes: the Advanced Apprenticeship in Sporting Excellence (AASE) scheme, Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme (TASS) and TeamBath High Performance scholarship programme. ITC athletes will be guided through any application process by the British Swimming Performance Lifestyle Manager.  For more, general information on scholarships,
Please direct enquiries to John Atkinson at British Swimming in the first instance.  

About Bath

Bath is one of the most interesting, elegant and vibrant cities in the UK and is one of only three cities in the world to be included as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Standing on the hills of the West Country overlooking the river Avon, it is spectacularly beautiful.  With a population of 90,000, it is compact enough to remain friendly and accessible. For more information go to www.visitbath.co.uk

Visit British Swimming ITC - Bath

If you would like to experience what the ITC Bath has to offer, contact Dave McNulty on dave.mcnulty@swimming.org at British Swimming to arrange a day visit or extended stay and an opportunity to discuss your training with the ITC Head Coach.  Accommodation can be provided on campus and where appropriate, British Swimming will consider meeting associated costs.