Comparing the practices of Dutch swimming against a global model for integrated development of mass and high performance sport

ABSTRACT

This study examines the current state of swimming in the Netherlands against an ideal-type model for developing high performance sport integrated with mass participation. Survey questions were validated by 12 international and Dutch experts including executives from sport governing bodies, swimming coaches and academics. To determine the areas for improvement, 122 coaches completed the questionnaire. Additionally, possible advancements were identified through semi-structured discussions with four top Royal Dutch Swimming Federation administrators. Results suggest possible enhancements at macro level (e.g. greater public and corporate support to prepare and hire more coaches and to address the lack of facilities, monies and publicity at mass participation level in order to make swimming affordable for all), at meso level (e.g. comprehensive education for all coaches and full spectrum of swimming pools), and at micro level (e.g. better preparation of athletes for their future outside swimming and better use of swimmers to stimulate swimming development).

KEYWORDS:

• Swimming
• high performance
• mass participation
• sport development

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.