LONG COURSE SWIMMING

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International Sports Studies, Hanze UAS

Class: Innovative Sport Product or Service
Teacher: Sander Claassen
Student: Konstantin Tonev – 367965
Motive
Since I have started swimming with “De Golfbrekers” I
have saw a lot of differences in the swimming practices
and the swimming schedule. But the biggest difference
is that they are swimming only short course practices
and distances. So I decided to create a long course
program using my experience as a professional
swimmer in Bulgaria and the knowledge that I get from
my coach there.
Another motive that I have possessed is related to my
assignment which was to create innovative or creative
concept based on my personal preferences. So, I
preferred to research topic associated with swimming,
which may help for further development of “De
Golfbrekers”. I am really hoping that my suggestions
will be implemented within the swimming team
because they will only have a positive impact on the
swimmers and the coaches. This means that the results
will be more visible during practices and competition.
And last but not least, this may increase the awareness
of “De Golfbrekers” within the Netherlands.
Value Proposition

Target audience
My target audience is my team “De Golfbrekers”
Finance
According to the finance section of my idea, there are
no investments needed. Also, no start-up costs
occurred. Even when I have presented the idea in front
of the club representatives, I used my own knowledge in
MS Office, Excel and Power point. I am clearly not
researching this topic because of the revenue I may
earn.

Innovative Service
Long course swimming is not an innovative product or a
service. It is often used from swimming coaches and
swimmer, because it is the best way to prepare the
swimmer for his career and swimming.
The program itself needs more attention and time,
because it plays a big role in building a swimmer. The
most important thing for the swimmer is the swimming
base that he will get from the long course program. As
a swimmer, it's important to find both proper timing
and proper unilateral balance within your swim stroke,
which will help the swimmer to control his time laps.
Also when an individual has more time to train under
the same philosophy and training program they have
the ability to progress more rapidly than when that
consistency is not there. And last but not least, the long
course swimming will definitely improve the skills and
the techniques of the swimmer.

Reviews
When I have presented the idea to the coaches of “De
Golfbreker”, they responded to me with high interest.
Firstly, they were pessimistic about the long course
swimming, but after my presentation and detailed
information given their opinion have changed
positively. Moreover, I have only discussed the effects
on long course swimming with my swim mates because
I wanted to have as much feedback as possible. They
were excited about this new concept which may
improve their stamina and performance. Lastly, my
coach from Bulgaria gave me the needed support in
order to choose this idea.

Competences
SK7 Researching and designing sports and exercise
activities
7.1. For this project I used my own knowledge from my
background as a professional swimmer. It gave me the
opportunity to see how much I know and can, but also
how much more I can learn. But of course, didn’t stop
me for checking each of the information that I was
providing. Also I was sharing my ideas with my class
mates which were very helpful.
7.2. As a professional swimmer I’m very familiar with
strategies, techniques and planning, which of course
helped me with my idea. My product gave me the
chance to improve my planning skills, because I was
working alone, which helped me to distribute my work
on the project very well.
7.3. After years of experience in the swimming
community I have already tested the long course
swimming and the positive results.

SK8 Organises, positions and supervises projects and

programmes promoting sports and exercise
8.3. Every time that I was at practice I was discussing
my project for the team with my swim mates and are
they finding it interesting and efficient. One time I
showed them two series of the long course swimming
and they found it hard and exhausting. But when I
explained them how many things you should take into
account and that it takes time to develop yourself in
long course distances, they agreed with me.
SK9 Manages and oversees the work processes of a
sports and exercise organisation, demonstrating
enterprise when doing so
9.1. In the beginning of the project I decided to ask one
of the coaches if I can run the next swimming practice
and he agreed. So I prepared a practice for the next
time in which I put something from the long course
program. During the training everything went good and
at the end everyone were tired. They told me that this
type of practice is something new for them and they
will be very pleased if they can add it to their program.
9.2. I saw the differences in the swimming program
when I started with “De Golfbrekers”, but when the
project came I saw the opportunity to show what I can
do best and demonstrate my passion for swimming. So I
decided to make a long course program.
9.3. As a professional sportsman I decided to make a
meeting with the coaches, where I presented them my
idea and what I think about it and how it would support
the swimming program. They were very impressed from
me and my presentation and told me that they are
interested and will try to put it into the swimming
schedule.