British Swimming ITC - Swansea

The British Swimming ITC – Swansea is based at the Wales National Pool Swansea (WNPS), which adjoins Swansea University’s Sports Centre on campus.  In addition to working with these two key partners, the British Swimming ITC is supported by Swim Wales.  The consortium partnership brings together the best possible facilities, services and expertise to consolidate our high performance base in Swansea.

ITC Programme

The ITC programme at Swansea is driven by Head Coach Bud McCallister,  who has served as a British Swimming coach at Swansea for the past 2 years and during his career to date has, achieved World Records and Olympic medals. Bud will lead a squad of a maximum of 12 athletes. 

The ITC programme will include a full range of sports science and medicine support designed to meet all ITC athletes’ needs.  Support services are provided at the pool centre and adjoining university sports campus. 

Core services include the support of an ITC-based, full-time British Swimming Performance Scientist, Sports Massage Therapist, Physiotherapist, Biomechanist, Sports Psychologist, Nutritionist and sports medicine cover. These services are driven by the ITC Head Coach and are deliverd in partnership with British Swimming specialists and the Sports Council for Wales.

ITC Facilities

Built only 6 years ago, Wales National Pool Swansea offers one of the best 50m pool environments in Britain and a wide range of land training facilities. 

The ITC group has priority access to the new, purpose-designed land conditioning room, situated off pool-deck.  Athletes also have access to a full range of strength and conditioning facilities in the adjoining university sports centre, including large gym, weights areas, sports halls, a spinning room and a 400m track.

Swansea University

Courses at Swansea are all modular and include subjects as diverse as phsyiology, nutrition, Kinanthropometry, strategic management, Human Resources Management, as well as the more traditional academic course subjects.
 
The Sport and Exercise Science Research Centre (SESRC) is the focus of sport, physical activity and health-related research at Swansea. Its expertise  lies within the three disciplines of physiology, psychology and biomechanics. The department has excellent laboratories for biomechanics, exercise physiology, sport psychology and benefits from state-of-the-art technology and is a centre for national and international collaborative research

Swansea University’s reputation in the field of engineering is second only to Oxbridge. It works closely with WNPS to be at the forefront of research and innovation in pool design and engineering.

ITC Athlete Student Opportunities

Swansea University has a proven track record in offering flexible study opportunities for elite athletes.  ITC athletes can undertake a wide range of courses, at certificate, diploma and degree level either part or full time, ranging from to 1 up to 7 years. 

ITC athlete students are fully supported by academic staff to ensure they can effectively combine their full-time training with degree level study.  Support includes offering alternative exam and assessment arrangements where necessary.

British Swimming ITC – Swansea has also established links with Swansea College, Swansea Metropolitan University and local schools, many of whom have a proven track record of meeting the needs of promising athletes.

Scholarships

Swansea University offers scholarship packages to suit the needs of the athlete and Sporting Entrance Scholarships. These scholarships are for undergraduate students with outstanding sport talent. Each of the scholarships are worth £1,000 per annum, renewable for 3 years. Details of the scholarship scheme and an application form may be obtained from the Student Recruitment Office. All scholarship applications must be submitted by mid-March, prior to the year of enrolment.  British Swimming, with its ITC partners in Swansea, can support athletes with the applications process.

Accommodation

Swansea University can offer a wide range of accommodation options including the possibility of shared athlete ‘pods’ in halls of residence.  Six to eight athlete students can be accomodated together.  The University is sensitive to athlete requirements: athletes are placed on ‘quiet’ floors and accommodation is rented all year round.

Swim Wales can offer accommodation for short term stays, if possible.

Special welfare support is offered to young athletes aged between 16-18 to facilitate their transition to university life and to help with any lifestyle challenges during their time in the ITC. 

Swansea and beyond

Swansea is a vibrant city with a stunning coast and diverse countryside.  The Gower Peninsula extending from Swansea bay, is the UK’s first designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.  For more information visit www.tourismswansea.co.uk

Visit British Swimming ITC – Swansea

If you would like to experience the Swansea ITC and the University first hand, contact Bud McAllister on bud.mcallister@swimming.org 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 costs.