Stettler Swim Club has a new coach: Amanda Hugh.
With a strong background in swimming and a recent degree in teaching, received in Lethbridge, AB, Hugh says although this is her first assignment as a swimming coach, she is confident of her ability to meet the challenges of her new position.
Originally from Vancouver, B.C, Hugh has received her higher education in Alberta and comes fresh from graduation to take up her first teaching assignment as well.
She will be filling in as music teacher to cover a maternity leave vacancy at the Stettler Elementary School.
“I think it will be challenging at first” says Hugh when asked about her feelings regarding the task of coaching swimmers of different age groups in various styles.
But she believes she will be able to take on the tasks by using her instructional skills as a teacher and an experienced swimmer.
“Coaching is a lot like teaching,” she says.
“You are taking all of the knowledge you have and you are applying it to teach the kids.”
Hugh will certainly be helped significantly by her swimming experience in her coaching career.
Having taken part in competitive swimming events for many years, Hugh believes she can transfer many of her own skills to her trainees.
Although her primary style is butterfly, she feels confident that she can teach the fine points of swimming technique in other styles, as well.