Aquatic Diploma in Sporting Excellence (DiSE) What is the Aquatic Diploma in Sporting Excellence? The Diploma in Sporting Excellence (formerly AASE) is a government funded programme designed for young talented athletes.

In partnership with Swim England the 2 year Aquatic DiSE programme is managed and delivered by Dudley College of Technology. This unique programme aims to support athlete development by enhancing the athlete’s knowledge, skills and competency in their sport, whilst gaining a prestigious recognised qualification, either preparing athletes to continue competing in their sport at an elite level, or to gain employment within sport or within an alternative career pathway.

Who is the Aquatic Diploma in Sporting Excellence for? The aquatic programme is delivered to talented Swimmers, Para-Swimmers, Divers, Synchronised Swimmers and Water Polo players Athletes must meet all of the following criteria in addition the selection policy for their aquatic discipline: • Born between 01.09.2002 – 31.08.2003 and reside in England • Studying Further Education (FE) in England from September 2019 (i.e. A Level or BTEC studies) • Be a member of an English club and represent either England, Scotland or Wales • Have been a resident in the UK/ other EU country for the last 3 years How is the programme delivered and The programme covers a range of topics including: what does it cover? • Technical skills The programme is delivered nationally through a combination • Tactical skills of; progress review visits, face to face regional workshops, • Physical capability online learning, and an offshore training camp or competition. • Nutrition Athletes will be allocated their own Assessor, who will • Psychology be responsible for supporting the athlete throughout • Lifestyle the programme, and conducting progress review visits/ observations approximately 8 weeks at their training venue. • Career Athletes will complete a series of pre-workshop and • Communication workshop workbooks prior to and during the workshops, • Health and safety working towards a Pearson BTEC Level 3 Diploma in • Culture, values and behaviour Sporting Excellence qualification.

The Diploma attracts 64 UCAS Tariff points upon successful completion. The DiSE Experience

MILLIE SANSOME SWIMMING

“I took part in the DiSE programme in 2017/18 and I would definitely recommend it to all athletes. The work is equally split up over various workshops throughout the year which makes it manageable whilst balancing school, training and other extra-curricular activities. I really enjoyed learning about all the different factors that come with being an elite athlete, some of which you don’t normally think about such as the importance of communication between the athlete and your coach, your physio, nutritionist or strength & conditioning coach, and also learning different methods to get you in the optimum mind-set before a race. One thing that I found really interesting was when we had a talk about going to a university in America and because of that talk it made me look further into that option and now I am committed to The University of Iowa.

The support from the staff on the programme was amazing as they always answered any questions that I had and ensured I understood everything when going through the booklets. The staff are fun, approachable, and understanding, which is why I had such a great time on the training camp in Tenerife last October. Taking part in the DiSE programme is an enjoyable and interactive way to get a qualification for doing something that you are passionate about whilst making new friends at the same time.”

JAKOB GOODMAN SWIMMING

“DiSE has been a great help to me in a couple of areas. One has been to help me get to grips with my nutrition and make sure I plan for my training/competition program. Also a particular unit has made me understand the importance of managing money and being responsible in spending and saving. This course has been of great value to me is and is an opportunity to meet new people and get some amazing support from the assessors”

SOPHIE HOBBAH SWIMMING

“The sporting excellence programme has built up my knowledge of not just the world of swimming, but also the basic life skills beyond swimming. The workshops provided created an environment that was a great working space to understand the objectives and outcomes of each topic we learnt about. The camp at the end of the programme was the best part of my duration on the programme as it really brought together each and every individual in the same sport, and putting together different ideas on how to become a better athlete.” TATIANA BELONOGOFF SWIMMING

“The DiSE programme has greatly helped me as an athlete in understanding more not only about my sport, but also how to manage my lifestyle around it, from finances to psychology, to gain the best outcome out of my career. The 40 UCAS points that this apprenticeship gives with its completion, has helped me with my university applications, which is very beneficial for anyone that is planning to receive a higher education. The swimming camp that I attended wwith this programme was both fun and very helpful, as I learned a lot and got to meet new people-both swimmers and coaches.”

ISABELLE THORPE SYNCHRONISED SWIMMING

“I found that the DiSE programme helped me to better set goals for myself in all areas of my training and life, not just in the technical and physical aspects but in other areas like career and financial planning. It was interesting to document and think about how to demonstrate some of the key skills learnt on the programme. As I am competing at the highest level in our sport I was unable to attend many of the workshops and the camp, however the assessors were really helpful and guided me through what needed to be completed by using the evidence and resources from the GB camps and competitions that I was attending.”

ROSIE GUNN SYNCHRONISED SWIMMING

“I took part in the Diploma in Sporting Excellence Course in 2017 as a Synchronised Swimmer, and I would say this course would be one of the best things I have done. It has taught me many things like my finances for when I’m older and helped me with how to control my nerves before competing. What I mainly enjoyed about this course is I got to meet new people and make new friends from all over the country from different sports and even got the chance to try their sports when we had a week away in Croatia which was amazing.” Other past athletes across the years include:

Swimming Para-Swimming • Adam Peaty - Olympic and World Record Holder • Jessica-Jane Applegate - Paralympic Champion • Molly Renshaw - European Champion • Hannah Russell - Paralympic Champion • James Wilby - Commonwealth Champion • Josef Craig - Paralympic Champion • Max Litchfield - Olympic Finalist • Thomas Hamer - Paralympic Silver Medallist • Alice Dearing - World Junior Champion • Ollie Hynd - Paralympic Champion • Lewis White - Paralympic Medallist • Grace Harvey - European Medallist • Megan Richter - European Medallist

Diving • - Double World Champion & Olympic Bronze Medallist Synchronised • Matty Lee - World Silver Medallist Swimming • Katherine Torrance - Silver Medallist • Isabelle Thorpe - World Series Medallist, • Noah Williams - Commonwealth Games Silver Medallist 4th in Europe Duet tech and free • Scarlett Mew-Jensen - Fina Grand Prix Medallist • Katie Clark - Double Olympian • Phoebe Banks - Fina Grand Prix & European Gold Medallist • Olivia Federici - Triple Olympian • Emily Martin - Fina Grand Prix Gold Medallist • Greta Hampson - World Series Medallist • Victoria Usher - World Series Medallist • Daniella Lloyd - World Series Medallist • Cerys Hughes - World Series Medallist • Millie Costello - World Series Medallist

Water Polo • Sophie Jackson - England Snr. GBR Jnr. European Finalist Uni. Michigan, USA • Katy Cutler - England GBR Jnr. European Championships • Robyn Greenslade - England GBR Jnr. European Championships • Isabelle Dean - England GBR Jnr. European Championships • Milly Wordley - England GBR Jnr. European Championships • Lara Partridge - England GBR Senior • Emily Pyper - England GBR Jnr. European Championships • Anya Clapperton - England GBR Senior Jnr. European Championships • Kathy Rogers - England Snr GBR Jnr. European Championships Uni. Michigan, USA • Thomas Manley - England Great Britain Jnr. European Championships • Jordan Elliot - England Jnr. Snr Great Britain Jnr. World Universiade • Joel Leighton - England Jnr. Snr Great Britain Jnr. World Universiade Synchronised Swimming • Isabelle Thorpe - World Series Medallist, 4th in Europe Duet tech and free WHEN DOES THE • Katie Clark - Double Olympian • Olivia Federici - Triple Olympian PROGRAMME • Greta Hampson - World Series Medallist START? • Victoria Usher - World Series Medallist - World Series Medallist • Daniella Lloyd SWIMMING INDUCTION DAY • Cerys Hughes - World Series Medallist • Millie Costello - World Series Medallist Sunday 8th September 2019

DISCIPLINE INDUCTION DAY Sunday 15th September 2019

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If you have any questions, please contact Rachel Weston: E: [email protected] T: 01509 640 456 Aquatic Diploma in Sporting Excellence (DiSE) Swimming Selection Policy

1.1- Up to 120 swimmers are eligible to join the programme in 3. OPEN WATER - Swimmers achieving a top 3 overall (all September 2019. home nations) finish in the 16 years and 17 years (5 km) age groups 1.2 - Athletes must meet all of the following criteria in addition the at the British Open Water Championships will receive automatic selection policy for their aquatic discipline: selection to the programme. • Born between 01.09.2002 – 31.08.2003 and reside in England Additional selections to • Studying Further Education (FE) in England from September 2019 4. FURTHER SELECTIONS - supplement points 2 and 3 will be based upon highest FINA point (i.e. A Level or BTEC studies) scores in Olympic Pool events. • Be a member of an English club and represent either England, Scotland or Wales 5. DISCRETIONARY SELECTIONS - All selections are • Have been a resident in the UK/ other EU country for the made at the absolute discretion of the Swim England National Talent last 3 years Officer and DiSE Technical Lead.

Swimmers must be based within an appropriate training 1.3 - 6. PARA- SWIMMING - In order to be considered for environment and be undertaking in the region of 16 hours per week selection onto the programme the Para athletes must: of pool/ land based training. • Hold BS / IPC classification S1 to S14. 1.4 - Swimmers must be able to demonstrate their commitment to • Achieve 500 British Para- Swimming Points in at least one event. achieving excellence in swimming. • Demonstrate the required commitment level, within an appropriate environment, to be capable of achieving their 2. POOL - Swimmers born between the 1st September 2002 potential within the sport. and 31st August 2003 who achieve a top 6 ranked performance • All selections are subject to the approval of the Para-Swimming (between the 22nd March and the 4th August 2019) in an Olympic Development Manager. event (Pool) will receive automatic selection to the programme. British rankings will be used for purposes of selection.