Elite swimming coach offers performance training at Kilgraston
Ann Dickson, head coach at Perth City Swim Club, has joined the team at Kilgraston School to lead specially tailored performance sessions for those keen to improve and compete at the sport.
Ann, who is currently training Perth’s Commonwealth Games freestyle hopeful, Stephen Milne, said: “Any success is all about the swimmers making a commitment to training. Anyone can swim if they’re prepared to commit to it.
“In any sport the most important dynamic is the relationship between the coach and the pupil. The challenge as a coach is to be able to work individually with people who are also part of a squad. It’s about empowering them to reach their goals. “You have to be able to motivate them and at times push them to a level they don’t think they can achieve.”
As a youngster, Ann swam at both district and national level. She recalled being invited to join a club, aged 11, on the back of a memorable win at a school gala.
“Swim training is an excellent life skill,” she said. “It helps you to be organised and disciplined. For example, I’ve had a lot of successful swimmers who’ve gone on to have very good careers in areas like medicine.”
Outlining her blueprint for the future of swimming at Kilgraston, Ann explained: “I hope the girls who come to my sessions will improve their technique and build up their fitness.
When they swim for the school in competitions, they will swim faster if they’ve trained hard.
“Progression in swimming is about being in the pool consistently. My training is open to anyone and can be made as hard or easy as required.
“Swimming is my specialist sport but I love all sport. Here at Kilgraston the girls have the opportunity to compete with regular fixtures. The facilities are wonderful and the extra curricular programme is a big thing.”
Kilgraston’s Director of sport, Pauline Stott, said: “At Kilgraston we are constantly striving to enhance our sports provision and we are delighted and privileged to have Ann Dickson coaching our swimmers.
“Her expertise and passion for the sport is wonderful and we are confident with Ann’s guidance our swimming will grow in strength and depth.
“With our state-of-the-art 25 metre pool it allows the girls to develop their technical and physical skills which is excellent to see.”
