As part of its Performance strategy for the Los Angeles 2028 and Brisbane 2032 Olympic/Paralympic cycles, Swim Ireland Performance is seeking a suitably qualified, experienced and driven swimming coach with a proven coaching and swimming development profile to assume the full-time role of Regional Pathway Development Coach within the Leinster Region of Ireland. This position has become available due to a recent departure and similar positions exist within the Connacht, Munster, and Ulster Regions.

The successful applicant will be responsible to the Head of Performance Pathways & Operations and will be an active member of both the Swim Ireland Extended Performance Team and the Regional Performance Pathway Advisory Group within Leinster.  They will have a roving role within the Region working remotely and can utilise office space both at home and within the Swim Ireland Performance Office in Sport HQ on the Sport Ireland Campus in Blanchardstown, Dublin.

They will work collaboratively with the Regional Pathway Development Coaches in the other three Regions on the island of Ireland to lead and deliver the Regional Programme, the Club Cluster Plan and a Development Pathway Programme for swimming within Leinster.

The primary goal of this role will be to oversee and ensure the best possible Development Pathway delivery and coaching within Club programmes within the Region by working in conjunction with Clubs, coaches, and volunteers to ensure that opportunities and experiences for athletes exist to increase the probability of them achieving their full athletic potential. The successful applicant will agree a fully budgeted work plan with the Head of Performance Pathways & Operations to allow them to deliver the agreed areas of work.

The Regional Pathway Development Coach (Leinster) will operate according to the Swim Ireland Performance Department Vision and the Swim Ireland Performance Plan.

“Through a unified endeavour across Irish aquatics, power a dynamic system and an ever-evolving culture to develop and support identified aquatic talent, those who wear the Green Jacket with pride, and particularly those who are driven to stand on World & Olympic podiums”

Central to achieving this Vision are a core set of principles:

  • A commitment to a long-term Performance programme which is focused on recurrent success;
  • A dedication to the development of a system that can enable the full potential of our athletes repeatedly rather than one-off successes based on individual athletes
  • A Performance programme that is centred on the people within the system – athletes, coaches, and practitioners, and in developing their capabilities to ensure that they reach best-in-class standards to ensure Irish swimming success;
  • An aspiration to make membership of the Performance programme a positive journey for all, leaving people in a better place for having been part of it and creating an aspiration for others to be involved

Applicants must display:

  • Knowledge and experience in the development, organisation, implementation, and coordination of high performing Club programmes at Development Pathway level and the development of athletes through appropriate coaching standards and expectations to ensure that all individuals within the Leinster Region are given the opportunity to maximise their potential, including an understanding of swimming specific Long Term Athlete Development models
  • Excellent communication skills, including the mentoring, managing, and enabling of Club swimming coaches, volunteers, and other key partners
  • The building and maintaining of strong relationships with clubs, coaches, athletes, athlete families, schools, and partner service providers within Leinster to continually encourage the ‘team around the athlete’ to progress them towards the next level of their individual development
  • The development of the Regional Programme to ensure the continued success of competitive swimming within Leinster and Ireland

Applicants must understand that they will:

  • Facilitate the transition of athletes developed in Clubs towards a Performance environment which can more readily lead them to success on the international stage
  • Plan for and attend swim meets and/or swim camps to support Leinster athletes and coaches as and when required
  • Work all necessary hours to fulfil the requirements of the post and work unsocial hours including early mornings, evenings and weekends when necessary
  • Organise education opportunities as required
  • Ideally, hold a Swim Ireland Level 3 Swimming Coach qualification (or international equivalent) and maintain this through compliance with the Swim Ireland Register of Aquatic Professionals, or hold a Swim Ireland Level 2 Swimming Coach qualification (or international equivalent) with an intent to progress this to a Level 3 qualification

Informal enquires in the first instance can be made to Andrew Reid, the Head of Performance Pathways & Operation via +353864678125 or andrewreid@swimireland.ie

We would particularly welcome applications from female candidates and/or black & minority ethnic candidates, who are currently under-represented in the Performance Team as a whole. We always appoint on merit. All applications will be treated with the utmost confidentiality and should be made by submitting the following to chloekinahan@swimireland.ie

  • A cover letter to include a personal statement addressing the essential criteria, and why an applicant believes their skills, experience and values meet the requirements of the position
  • A comprehensive CV relevant to the position, including three referees, one of which must be the current employer

The closing date for applications is 1200 GMT on Thursday 12th June 2025. Interviews will take place either 19th/20th June 2025.  This is a full-time position, with a preferred commencement at the beginning of August 2025 as part of an initial fixed term contract.

Swim Ireland Regional Pathway Development Coach (Leinster) Job Description