TRAINING SQUAD STRUCTURE
Gold Squad will enable swimmers to participate at the highest level, nationally and internationally. The elite swimmer will require the highest commitment, desire, dedication and discipline to succeed.
Silver Squad will target achieving qualification for Regional / National meets and will prepare swimmers for top level competition, therefore a full commitment to training is required. Recording and testing of the training programme will be required of swimmer and coach.
Bronze Squad will reflect a decision by swimmer and coach to embark upon a career in competitive swimming and hence a serious commitment. Along with a swimmer's ability, their attendance and attitude will be key to their success. Support services such as nutrition, performance lifestyle, exercise physiology, psychology, physiotherapy, performance planning and biomechanics will be introduced. Swimmers will be expected to complete on a monthly basis to County / Regional level.
Development 2 will add speed training to aerobic endurance and stroke technique. There will be further progression of training etiquette and discipline, involving the understanding of heart rate training. Strength and conditioning will be introduced to land training along with an early morning swim session. Competitions will include graded and county meets.
Development 1 is the foundation for the development of the young swimmer who will focus on stroke technique whilst starting to build aerobic endurance. Acceptable behavoiur patterns within group training will be established. Dryland stretching will be introduced as a fundamental to the swim programme. Competitions will include time and mini galas.
Club Squad 1 offers participation, fun, involvement and significant health benefits. Teaching and development will be provided for the younger swimmer who has chosen not to compete and who may participate in a number different activities in their spare time.
Continued progression of stroke techniques and aerobic development will be provided. Limited opportunity for competition will be offered but is not compulsory.
Regular evaluation will take place as to the swimmers aims and objectives.
Club Squad 2 offers participation, fun, involvement and significant health benefits. It provides fitness training for the older swimmer who may participate in a number different activities in their spare time. Continued progression of aerobic development will be provided.
Appropriate local competitions will be selected for club 2 swimmers but these are not compulsory.
Each squad has a different training time each week. Please refer to your own squad for times etc, or download the full squad training timetable here
Gold, Silver & Bronze Squads Training Aims and Objectives;
- Develop swimmers to an elite level and achieve national medals and selection to national teams.
- Provide a balanced and progressive training programme in the pool and on land.
This will be in line with the ASA and British Swimmers Long Term Athlete Development models. - Development of appropriate behaviour and responsibilities within a training and group environment
- Develop leadership and time management skills to produce a competent athlete able to balance school, swimming and social aspects of life.
- Develop greater individual responsibility for swimming commitment and performance.
- Develop and improve aerobic conditioning.
- Develop and improve basic speed.
- Development of technical and mental skills to assist and improve performance.
- Develop technique of all four strokes.
- Gain knowledge of basic swimming mechanics.
- Develop tactical and pacing skills for competitive racing.
- Develop and instigate appropriate competition plan.
Criteria for squad selection;
Entry to each squad will be based on the following in order of priority
- Attendance
- Commitment
- Attitude
- Ability
The final decision lies with the head coach