Performance Athletes
UOAPS swimmers Hannah Miley, Mark Campbell and Toni Shaw represented Scotland at the 2018 Commonwealth Games.
About
Programme
Launched in July 2017, the University of Aberdeen Performance Swimming (UOAPS) programme provides professional coaching and a high performance pathway for swimmers based in Aberdeen.
Training takes place in Aberdeen Sports Village's world-class aquatic facilities. The programme is open to talented swimmers aged 12 and up, and includes youngsters at secondary school, students studying at the University of Aberdeen, and a number of full and part-time performance athletes.
The programme is a partnership between the University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen City Council, Aberdeen Sports Village, Scottish Swimming, and affiliated partner swimming clubs in Aberdeen.
From 1 Jan 2020, ARENA have provided the UOAPS Club with technical sponsorship.
- Partners, Clubs & Sponsors
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Strategic Partners
The programme is supported by four main strategic partner organisations:
Local Swimming Clubs
The lifeblood of the programme is provided by the local swimming clubs affiliated to the programme. These clubs provide the majority of the UOAPS' swimmers and the volunteers who form the UOAPS Club Management Committee.
As at spring 2018, the member swimming clubs were Bon Accord Thistle ASC, Bridge of Don ASC, Bucksburn ASC, Cults Otters, Dyce ASC, and the Aberdeen University Swimming & Water Polo Club.
As well as representing UOAPS, swimmers in the programme will normally also represent their 'home' club.
Technical Sponsors
From 1 January 2020, the UOAPS Club was delighted to enter into a technical sponsorship agreement with ARENA.
- Facilities
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The UOAPS programme is based in the world-class performance environment at Aberdeen Sports Village's Aquatics Centre, opened in May 2014.
Boasting some of the premier aquatics facilities in the UK, the Aquatics Centre provides an exceptional training, competition and wider sporting environment.
Swimming takes place in an Olympic standard 50m pool, with a similarly impressive 25m diving pool. A suite of well-resourced land training facilities and access to Strength & Conditioning round out the performance support.
ASV is a joint venture between Aberdeen City Council and the University of Aberdeen, with invaluable support having been provided by Sport Scotland and charitable donors.
- Joining the Programme
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We welcome talented swimmers from around Aberdeen, as well as those looking to move here with family, to study, to work, or simply to train.
School Age Swimmers
Swimmers from ages 12 up are drawn from our affiliated local swimming clubs. Progression from clubs into the performance programme is carefully managed, with a pathway that supports swimmers from local learn-to-swim schemes through to elite performance level. Swimmers will continue to retain their 'home' club while also being part of the UOAPS programme.
Combining Swimming and University Study
If you are interested in coming to study at the University of Aberdeen, full details of the application process are available online . Prospective students looking to study in Aberdeen and swim as part of the UOAPS are expected to apply and gain University admission through the normal admissions procedures. If you'd like to come along to one of our regular student open days, details can be found here .
Swimmers studying at the University of Aberdeen will normally join the Aberdeen University Swimming & Water Polo Club before advancing into the UOAPS programme by demonstrating their ability. Student swimmers advancing onto the UOAPS programme will be encouraged to represent the University club at student swimming meets e.g. BUCS, as part of their training regime.
Further information is available from Christine Roberts of the University of Aberdeen Sport & Exercise Team.
Scottish Swimming has produced a very useful video for swimmers planning the transition to university.
Support for Student Performance Swimmers
High performing student athletes at the University of Aberdeen are eligible for additional support, including scholarships and bursaries, academic flexibility, physiotherapy, workshops and seminars, and branded kit. More details of this support can be found here .
Elite Swimmers
At the elite level there is scope for exceptionally talented athletes to join the High Performance programme directly. Further information is available from the High Performance Coach Patrick Miley .
If you'd like a tour of the aquatics facilities or an opportunity to attend or participate in a training session, this can be arranged with a little advance notice.
