Swimming
INTRODUCTION
At Uppingham Cairo, within our BEST Swimming Academy, we provide highquality swimming opportunities for pupils of all ages and abilities, creating an environment where every swimmer can thrive. Our ambition is to develop not only confident and capable swimmers, but also a program that extends beyond school sport, supporting athletes on their journey towards regional, national, and international success. Through carefully tailored coaching, we balance enjoyment, challenge, commitment, and hard work, ensuring that every swimmer receives the support they need to reach their full potential.
PROGRAMME CHARACTER & VALUES
At Uppingham Cairo, sport is a vital part of a pupil’s education, shaping character, confidence and a lifelong commitment to health & wellbeing. We set high standards, encouraging every pupil to pursue excellence while embracing teamwork, resilience and respect. Whether competing at the highest level or discovering a new passion, pupils can expect expert coaching, outstanding opportunities and an environment where effort, ambition & enjoyment are equally valued with our swimming programme.
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ATradition of Excellence, designed for Uppingham Cairo Drawing on the swimming heritage from the BEST swimming academy, with high expectations for participation, commitment and personal development.
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Expert Coaching and Purposeful Development - Pupils benefit from specialist swiming coaching that focuses not only on performance and skill acquisition, but also on leadership, resilience, teamwork & selfdiscipline..
Breadth Of Opportunity Our programme is designed to ensure that every pupil can thrive, whether pursuing competitive excellence or developing a lifelong enjoyment of swimming.
PROGRAMMETIERS
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Training
BEST Swimming Academy currently offers five training sessions per week for swimmers aged 5 and above.
- Our programs are tailored to different ages and ability levels.
- Pupils can train between 1 and 10 hours per week, depending on their stage of development and commitment level
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Development Programme
Who it is for
Swimmers demonstrating competencyacross strokes and beginning to train more consistently.
Weeklystructure
2–4 sessions perweek
Stroke technique refinement
Introduction to turns and starts
Aerobic development
Basic race skills
Goal-setting and progress monitoring
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Foundation Programme
Swimmers beginning their journey or developing core aquatic competence. The programme focuses on confidence in the water, body position, breathing control, stroke foundations, and enjoyment.
Weekly structure
1–2 sessions per week
Fundamental movement skills
Stroke introduction and development
Aquatic confidence
Fun skill-based activities
Performance Programme
Who it is for
Competitive swimmers aiming to maximise performance and compete at higher levels.
Weeklystructure
5–10 hours trainingweekly
Advanced technicalwork
Individual race strategy
Aerobic and anaerobic conditioning
Competition preparation
Performance analysis and individual goal reviews
PROGRAMME HIGHLIGHTS
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Professional Skill Training: What sets Uppingham Cairo apart is the seamless integration of swimming into daily school life through our partnership with the BEST Centre. Rather than only existing outside the school environment, swimming is woven into both the school day and afterschool day boarding programme, giving students of all abilities access to enhanced coaching, additional training opportunities, and a pathway for long-term development alongside their education.
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BESTCentre Sports also bringsvaluable connectionswithin thewiderswimming community, including links to clubs, coaches, competitions, and potential future pathways bothwithin Egypt and internationally These relationships help create opportunities fortalented swimmers to pursue higher levels of competition and gain exposure to a broadersporting network
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Technical development: Efficient stroke mechanics, starts, turns, underwaterskills, and race execution
Physical development: Age-appropriate development of endurance, coordination, strength, mobility, and movement quality
Psychological development: Confidence, resilience, concentration, self-management, and response to challenge
Social development:Team culture, communication skills, leadership, and sportsmanship. Lifestyle and education: Supporting swimmers in balancing academics, training, recovery, nutrition, andwellbeing.
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WHYOUR PROGRAMME?
·The Uppingham Cairo Swimming Academy provides clear pathways for swimmers at every stage of their development For our youngest swimmers, the focus is on building strong foundations and progressing through recognized swimming awards and milestones, developing confidence, competence, and a lifelong love of the sport.
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As swimmers move through the programme, opportunities increasingly focus on competitive development, with the ambition of supporting athletes towards regional, national, and international success. Through our partnership with BEST Centre and the expertise of our coaching team, we aim to provide aspiring swimmers with access to high-level training and competitive pathways as they emerge.
For sixth form pupils who reach national or international standards, swimming can open doors to university opportunities, including potential sports scholarships and recruitment pathways at selected institutions around the world
Uppingham Cairo’s partnership with BEST Centre Sports also brings valuable connections within the wider swimming community, including links to clubs, coaches, competitions, and potential future pathways both within Egypt and internationally These relationships help create opportunities for talented swimmers to pursue higher levels of competition and gain exposure to a broader sporting network. 04
·As an athlete, Coach Kris was a multiple-time Polish Champion in the 200m Butterfly and a member of the Polish National Swimming Team. He represented Poland at European Junior Championships and the Universiade Games, achieving success and winning medals at international level.
With more than 20 years of experience as a high-performance swimming coach and educator, Coach Kris has successfully guided swimmers from developmental stages to elite competitive performance Throughout his coaching career, he has worked with Polish national champions, junior record holders, and athletes competing at international events.
om 2005 to 2009, Coach Kris served as a coach of the Polish Junior National Team, contributing significantly to the development of young elite athletes. He also served as a Board Member of the Polish Swimming Federation Bureau between 2016 and 2020, where he was involved in national sports development initiatives, collaboration with the Ministry of Sport, and the organisation of major swimming championships and sporting events.Coach Kris is passionate about helping young athletes realise their full potential through a combination of technical excellence, evidence-based coaching practices, and strong educational values His philosophy promotes discipline, resilience, commitment, and personal growth while supporting the holistic development of every swimmer both in sport and in life.
COACH KRZYSZTOFŚWIDERSKI
EleanorBainbridge is a formerGreat Britain openwaterswimmerwho represented Great Britain on the international stage between the ages of 15 and 18. Following her competitive career, she nowdedicates herself to developing the next generation of swimmers, drawing upon herexperiences as an international athlete to inspire and supportyoung people in achieving theirpotential.
Herbackground as both an international athlete and qualified coach enables herto provide expert guidance across all levels of the program, from developing fundamental skills to supporting swimmers pursuing competitive success.
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Eleanoris committed to creating a positive, ambitious, and supportive environment where everyswimmercan thrive.
COACH ELEANOR BAINBRIDGE
BESTSwimmingAcademycurrentlycompetes in BSME swimming events, providing pupilswith opportunities to represent the school and experience competitive swimmingwithin an international school environment.
Competition experiences focus not onlyon results but also on developing race awareness, confidence, self-management, and learning underpressure.As the programme develops, the academy aims to expand opportunities through regional and international competition experiences.
COMPETITION FRAMEWORK 2026–2027
INCLOSING
·Training opportunities forswimmers aged 5+
Up to 10 hours ofweeklyswimming provision
Small-group coaching model
Two internationallyexperienced head coaches
Participation development through to competition pathways
As a developing programme, ourcurrent focus is on creating strong foundations and meaningful pathways forfuture generations of swimmers.
Forcommitted athletes, future opportunitieswill include:
Club and regional representation
National competition pathways
International competition opportunities
Universitysport programmes and scholarship pathways