Building on integration across the disciplines in the Aquatics GB Performance Pathway, the Optimal Athlete Development Framework (OADF) has been expanded to more comprehensively cover the developmental characteristics and attributes of para-swimming and youth swimmers.
The objective of Aquatics GB’s Performance Pathway is to develop athletes that have the skills, characteristics and behaviours to thrive in the highest competitive arenas, specifically at the World Championships, Olympic and Paralympic Games.
First launched in 2018, the OADF set out a framework to define the characteristics of both ‘The Great British Swimmer’, as well as those that are showing ‘Future Performance Potential’ – with the original six ‘A-C-C-E-S-S’ pillars of the OADF describing the approach and underlying principles used to develop and then transition athletes along the pathway journey.
An updated 2024 release has now been refined to fully incorporate para-swimming, while adding a a third layer of the framework, Future Performance Development (FPD), which targets the layer below ‘Future Performance Potential’ and defines the character attributes of developmental level swimmers who have aspirations to fulfil their long-term potential in the sport.
The new athlete population covered in the FPD segment are the future of swimming in Great Britain and the skills, attributes and behaviours contained in this new section intend to set out the foundations for successful transition through the performance pathway.
Swimmers, coaches, parents and anyone interested in supporting the development of aquatic athletes across Great Britain are encouraged to familiarise themselves with the OADF. It is not a rigid curriculum, nor indeed a tool for talent identification or selection – instead promoting autonomy, and individuality by urging the team around the athlete to exercise all of their knowledge and skill in developing the characteristics set out in this framework.
Aquatics GB Associate Performance Director, Tim Jones said:
“This is an incredibly important inclusive and integrated project that will help determine the collective future of athletes on both our Olympic and Paralympic swimming pathways.
“We are adopting a non-prescriptive approach, providing strong guidance but steering clear of telling coaches and practitioners how to do their jobs. We believe in promoting autonomy, and want to encourage individuality by urging the team around athletes of all abilities to exercise all of their knowledge and skill in developing the characteristics set out in this framework.”
Aquatics GB Head of Performance Development, Alan Lynn commenting:
“The OADF is an essential guide for swimmers, coaches, parents. The development of swimmers is everyone’s responsibility and the framework provides important information about this process over the long-term. We welcome this revised version and encourage everybody to work towards these skills, attributes and behaviours, realising the potential of all swimmers. ”
The OADF can be found along with supporting documents and case studies of integrated use in performance environments on the Off The Blocks website.