Although the exact workings of the National Training Team have not been ironed out it is presumed that once selected, all swimmers will train under a single coach appointed as the National Training Team Coach. Whereas it is hoped that each of the selected swimmers will maintain their affiliation with their local clubs for the purpose of local competitions - they will train full time (or a significant portion of their training time) with the National Training Team and Coach.

In theory the scheme seems sound, however, there are some who say it can't work. The arguments against the establishment of the National Training Team concern the ever present problem of clubs retaining senior swimmers. With the establishment of the new 50 meter aquatic center many of the local coaches believe that swimmers no longer need to go abroad to train as each of the clubs have access to improved training facilities. Where in the past it was thought that in order to move to the next level swimmers had to go abroad, many of the local coaches now firmly believe that world class swimmers can now be home grown. The long and short of the argument is that the National Training Team will once again provide for the leeching of each of the local Clubs' best swimmers. Furthermore, the mere appointment of a National Coach to head the National Training Team is not indicative of that coach’s ability to train World Class Athletes. In addition to the above as the system now operates, each local coach has the opportunity to take a national team abroad. Will the introduction of the National Training Team deprive the local coaches of that opportunity?

It is also said that senior swimmers provide an important incentive to young swimmers in that their presence around the pool deck serves to inspire and help establish goals. Senior swimmers are the team leaders and without their presence the club as a whole is adversely affected.

It is also to be noted that many of the programs through which coaches obtain their qualifications require the coach to train individuals of a certain age and skill level. For example in order to receive a certain certificate the coach must train a child for at least 9 consecutive months and that child must achieve a certain time standard within that period. To require the senior swimmers to train with National Training Team may in certain circumstances deprive the local coaches of their ability to obtain advance qualifications in coaching.

To some the aforesaid reasons merely seem to represent the concerns of the coaches as opposed to the swimmers and that it is the interests of the swimmers that should be the determinant factor and not those of the coaches. In response, I am told that whereas there may be some truth in that statement, it must not be forgotten that any decision rendered affects Bahamas Swimming as a whole which includes the swimmers, the parents and the coaches - each of which is an important component to the success of the sport. The coaches have come a long way to produce successful athletes and want the opportunity to continue to train their swimmers and to take them, with the support of their clubs and the BSF, all the way to the top. To deprive them of the fruits of their labor, it is said, would be counter productive to the sport.

Is there a half-way house? How can the proposed system work? Is this what we really want? There can be no doubt that the ultimate goal of the BSF is to promote swimming in The Bahamas. However, over the years we have seen many rules and policies established - many of which have been implemented for a particular purpose. It is my submission that it is incumbent on the BSF to carefully consider any proposed changes and to ensure that extreme care is exercised in the introduction of reform so as not to cause irreparable harm to the sport and those concerned. What are your views?