Senior Coach Accelerator Program 2026-2027

RATIONALE:

To provide educational and training opportunities for coaches to achieve training at the Senior Coach level for free.

SECTION 1 - APPLICATION AND SELECTION PROCESS

Training Cohort: To a MAX of 12 Coaches (2 per Region)

• Each Region will be allocated two (2) spaces as part of the coaching cohort as part of Priority 1 selection
• Available spaces not allocated in Priority 1 will be allocated on a first submitted basis regardless of Region based on date and time of submitted application.

Coach Eligibility:

• Must be fully registered with a Swim Ontario club for the 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 Season.
• Must be fully certified as an Age Group Coach or have submitted Age Group Coach Portfolio for evaluation at time of application deadline (May 31).
• Must be actively coaching Competition Intro or Competitive Development registered swimmers
• Coaches currently engaged in the Senior Coach pathway are not eligible for this program.
• Must agree to participate fully in all Coach Accelerator programming as outlined in Section 2 of this document

Application and Selection Process:

• Application
  • Submission of Application HERE
  • All applications will be date and time stamped and listed in order for selection purposes
  • All Applications must include the following;
    • Summary of Experience
    • Philosophy of Coaching and career goals
    • Signed letter of Endorsement from either the Club Head Coach, or Club President
  • Application Deadline is May 31

Please note that incomplete or illegible applications will not be considered.

• Selection Process
  
  • Priority 1:
    • Each Region will be allocated two (2) spaces as part of the coaching cohort
    • Applicants will be ranked based on their submission
    • Selection will be determined by the Selection Committee based on:
      • Experience
      • Philosophy and career goals
      • Performance athletes they coach
        
  • Priority 2:
    • Filling available spaces not allocated in Priority 1
    • Spaces will be allocated based on a first submitted basis regardless of Region
    • Coaches are subject to all eligibility requirements outlined above.

Decisions of the selection committee are final and are not subject to the Swim Ontario appeal process.

Coach Accelerator Selection Committee:

1. Lindsay Taylor
2. Stu McLean

SECTION 2 - THE PROGRAM

Successful Applicants’ Attendance Requirements

• Coaches are required to attend all scheduled courses
• If coaches are unable to attend all scheduled courses, they will either have to make up the missing course own their own, at their own expense, or they will be removed from the remainder of the program

Cohort Training Deliverables:

• Program participants are required to attend the following scheduled courses.
  • Multi-Sport Modules: Virtual Delivery
    • Coaching and Leading Effectively
      • September 23 & 30
      • 5:30-10pm
    • Psychology of Performance
      • October 7 & 14
      • 5:30-9:45pm
    • Developing Athletic Abilities
      • October 21 & 28
      • 5:45-10pm
    • Prevention and Recovery of Injury
      • November 4 & 11
      • 5:45-10pm
    • Managing Conflict
      • November 18 & 25
      • 5:30-9pm
        
  • Swimming 301 Course: Virtual Delivery
    • Wednesdays January 6-March 3, 2027
    • 5-9pm
    • Learning Facilitator: Jackie Cool

Individual Coach Requirements:

• Coaches will be required to complete the following on an individual basis
  • Multi-Sport eModule - Leading Drug Free Sport
    • Must be completed in the Locker by December 15th, 2026
  • Swimming 301 Pre Course Workbook
    • Coaches will need to complete the 301 Pre-Course Module in the LMS prior December 31, 2026.
  • Participating coaches will be responsible for the Senior Portfolio and In-Person Evaluation fee ($500.00) to complete their Senior Coach certification.

Amendments and Unforeseen Circumstances:

• In the event of unforeseen or unusual circumstances, Swim Ontario Performance Staff under the direction of the CEO has the full discretion to resolve the matter as it sees fit, taking into account factors and circumstances that it deems relevant.

APPLY HERE

If you have any questions, please contact Lindsay