Performance Squad

Matt McFahn is the RLSS UK Volunteer Performance Director. Within this position Matt has taken ownership of the implementation of the performance aspects of the National Development Plan and helps work towards the creation of a clearer, consistent and more structured pathway from grass roots to elite level of Lifesaving Sport.

The Performance Director works closely with the Society members and other organisations to achieve effective communication and collaboration.

Matt has an extensive portfolio of professional experience in this area. Currently working with the ASA as a Regional Manager. Before this he worked with British Paralympic Association as a Sports Performance Manager. In his role with Paralympics GB Matt was responsible for the effective implementation of the World Class Programmes for three disability Paralympic Sports – Table Tennis, Boccia and Fencing.

“With my ‘day job’ being elite sport, the role of Performance Director will provide me with a fantastic opportunity to help the United Kingdom excel at an international level. “I feel I could bring a fresh focus to the sport whilst being mindful that those currently involved have considerable experience and skills that are essential to achieving continued international success,”

Performance Squad Members

Profiles of the athletes selected this year will be up shortly.

Coaches and Support Staff

Matt McFahn - Performance Director

Club: Sandbach Lifesaving Club
Date of Birth: 1967
Occupation: Regional Director for ASA in the northwest
Heroes: Tsubodai Bahadur
Lifesaving Career Highlights: Steering the RLSS UK Lifesaving Sport Programme to its current position since 2009

Chris Stock

Club:Wells Lifesaving Club
Date of Birth:
Occupation:Sport scientist and coach for RLSS UK High Performance Squad
Heroes: Lutz Heimann
Nicknames:Stocky
Lifesaving Career Highlights:Competing in the Gb Junior Team, 3 x RLSS UK National Lifesaving Champion, Silver Medal in SERC at the 2004 Club World Championship - Italy, Winning the BULSCA League for 2003/4, Assistant coach to the GB Junior and Senior 2005/6, Head Coach to the Northern Ireland team at the 2011 Commonwealth Championhips - South Africa.

Ian Hutchings

Date of Birth:
Occupation:
Heroes: Gary Lee
Nicknames: Hutch
Lifesaving Career Highlights: 13 meter rope throw record holder
Why I believe in Lifesaving Sport: There is an event in Lifesaving sport suitable for everyone!

Michele Weedy

Occupation: Ambulance Tecnician Assistant
Nicknames: Shell
Lifesaving Career Highlights: Being asked to organise lifesaving championships and asked to take the GB, Scotland & England Teams. Represent @ International Championships.
Why I believe in Lifesaving Sport: I believe in the development of our young athletes and hope to encourage them to pursue their dreams and ambitions within the sport.

John Arnold

Occupation:
Nicknames:
Lifesaving Career Highlights:
Why I believe in Lifesaving Sport:

Gary Lee

Occupation:
Nicknames:
Lifesaving Career Highlights:
Why I believe in Lifesaving Sport:

Male Athletes

Female Athletes

Athlete Selection Criteria and Process 2012

Structure of the programme in 2012

The RLSS UK Performance Programme will continue to support approximately 40 athletes in 2012. These will be split into two Squads as follows:

Elite Squad

Athletes who demonstrate the potential to be selected for the Great Britain and Northern Ireland team (Junior and / or Senior) in 2012 and athletes whose development would in the view of the coaching team be enhanced by being aligned with this squad.

Development Squad

Athletes who demonstrate world class potential but at this time are still developing and would benefit from a support programme to underpin their training needs.

Selection Criteria

With competitive lifesaving being a complex multidisciplinary sport it is difficult to set out exact criteria for athletes however the following should provide guidelines to help understand how athletes are selected.

Selection criteria for all athletes can include (these are not in a specific order):

Achieving PBs on a regular basis
Demonstrating “world class potential”
Conducting oneself in a professional manner that befits an elite athlete
Showing talent in the lifesaving events
Demonstrating a commitment to training
Competing at RLSS UK Speed Championships

Selection for athletes in the Elite Squad can include (these are not in a specific order):

Demonstrating the ability to achieve times that would score points for your country at a European or World Championships
Demonstrating a commitment to achieve in surf/beach events
Demonstrating the ability to be successful in beach/surf events
Demonstrate the ability to be both individually focused and a team member

Selection Process

We are undertaking a recruitment exercise for the coaching and support team in March/April 2012 in order to expand the workforce delivering the programme, this will include:

Senior Coaches
Support Coaches
Team Managers
PR Officer
Athlete Liaison

The Athlete selection will be undertaken in line with this process and all recruitment of the coaching and support team and the selection of athletes will be completed by 30 April 2012.

Matt McFahn

RLSS UK Performance Director

January 2012

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