Even in a virtual format, this year’s National Age Group Summit was able to engage attendees and grow their programs through the importance of leadership and team chemistry. The event took place November 20-22 and gave coaches the opportunity to present, share and network with other teams to learn and grow with other group programs.

Fifty-five top age group programs were invited and participated in the virtual event this year, learning from presentations that highlighted long-term development, Safe Sport, Coach Education, team chemistry, biomechanics and more.

“I was beyond thrilled to have been a part of the Age Group summit,” Scarlet Aquatics head coach and 2020 National Age Group Summit presenter Erin Miller said. “Culture is extremely important now more than ever.  After all this is over, I believe our swimmers will be tougher, and more able to handle adversity better.”

After the large-group presentations concluded, coaches would break out in breakout rooms and dive deeper into each discussion.

“The breakout sessions were invaluable,” Nitro Swim Team coach and 2020 National Age Group Summit presenter Mike Koleber said. “The openness of all of the participants sharing our challenges, what works, what doesn’t, plans and alternate plans to keep our programs viable in these most uncertain times.”

Another aspect of this year’s National Age Group Summit was an overview and breakdown of USA Swimming’s newly designed American Development Model. The ADM is a visual concept to help coaches and program managers build programs that are focused on the individual athlete. For more information on the new ADM, coaches can visit https://www.usaswimming.org/coaches/popular-resources/athlete-development-model.

While the format of this year’s summit looked different, coaches came away from this year’s event with new tips and tactics to bring back to their clubs.

“Virtual or not, connection is connection,” Koleber said. “Many Coaches are in isolation even if their clubs are in the water swimming. Being a part of the NAGS was a great resource and a welcomed event.”

For more leadership opportunities available for USA Swimming coaches, visit https://www.usaswimming.org/coaches-leaders/team-leaders/leadership-opportunities.