Squad membership is determined by the coaching team.
CRITERIA BREAKDOWN
All performance swimmer's must represent the team when selected and enter regular open meets throughout the year.
The following six criteria are considered when coaching staff are thinking about squad placement.
ATTENDANCE
Swimming is such a skill-based sport with so many complex actions to each of the four disciplines stroke mechanics. Swimmers that attend between 3-4 sessions per week will acquire the necessary skills to allow coaches to consider movement between squads/lanes. When the junior coach feels a swimmer is ready to move to the Performance squad, he/she will arrange a meeting with the Head coach to discuss a performance transition trial. The Junior coach will liaise with parents to discuss expectations for the move. The coach may decide to transition the swimmer slowly between the junior development and junior performance squads or move the swimmer with immediate effect.
- The coaching team will have the opportunity to select 'wild cards' into the group if they do not meet all of the above criteria but it is felt that they have good long term potential.
DEVELOPMENT TO PERFORMANCE 1/PERFORMANCE 2
Swimmers should have reached their 9th birthday before being considered for movement to the Performance 1 Squad as well as meeting the criteria below.
Swimmers should have reached their 11th Birthday before being considered for movement to the Performance 2 Squad as well as meeting the criteria below.
ATTENDANCE
Swimmers that want to be considered for movement to Performance 1 should be attending 3/4 times per week and be prepared to train a minimum of 3 times per week.
Swimmers that want to be considered for movement to Performance 2 should be attending 4/5 times per week and be prepared to train a minimum of 4 times per week.
TECHNIQUE
Swimmers will need to be efficient in the basic stroke mechanics of all 4 strokes. Areas that will be taken into account will be:
· Distance per stroke
· Stroke count per length
· Body position
· Timing
· Feel of the water
· Ability to hold technique and perform throughout a 2 hour session without interruptions on a consistent basis
· Confidence and performance over 100/200/400 races
· Ability to maintain technique, performance and have an understanding of the given set over challenging training sessions
TRAINING
- ability to hold 20 x 100m on freestyle off 2.00 comfortably
- ability to hold 10 x 200m IM on 4.30 comfortably
- ability to perform 10 x 100 kick off 2.30 comfortably
RACING ABILITIES
Racing abilities are so important to a competitive athlete. Swimmers need to be reliable attenders and galas and be attending meets targeted by the coaching staff. Swimmers that want to be considered for movement will need to show the skills above and a desire to improve to reach county qualifying times.
All performance swimmer's must represent the team when selected and enter regular open meets throughout the year
DISCIPLINE
Every swimmer wanting to be promoted must show the following behavioral traits:
· Respect for coaching staff
· Willingness to listen and learn
· Good lane discipline
· Willingness to support team mates in training sessions and competitions
- Good Time-keeping - Arrive on time for sessions (be poolside 5-10mins prior to start time)
The final decision on swimmers moving between squads/lanes lies with the coaching staff. When the coach feels a swimmer is ready to move to the performance squad, he/she will arrange a meeting with the swimmers and his/her parents to discuss expectations for the move. The coach may decide to transition the swimmer slowly between the junior performance and senior performance squads or move the swimmer with immediate effect.
- The coaching team will have the opportunity to select 'wild cards' into the group if they do not meet all of the above criteria but it is felt that they have good long term potential.
PERFORMANCE 2 TO SENIOR PERFORMANCE 3
Swimmers should have reached their 12th birthday before being considered for movement to the Senior Performance Squad as well as meeting the criteria below.
ATTENDANCE
Swimmers that want to be considered for movement to Senior Performance should be attending 4/5 times per week and be prepared to train a minimum of 4/5 times per week.
TECHNIQUE
Swimmers will need to be efficient in the basic stroke mechanics of all 4 strokes. Areas that will be taken into account will be:
· Distance per stroke
· Stroke count per length
· Body position
· Timing
· Feel of the water
· Ability to hold technique and perform throughout a 2 hour session without interruptions on a consistent basis
· Confidence and performance over 100/200/400m races
· Ability to maintain technique, performance and have an understanding of the given set over challenging training sessions
· A basic understanding and discipline regarding land training
TRAINING
- ability to hold 20 x 100m on freestyle off 1.45 comfortably
- ability to hold 10 x 200m IM on 4.00 comfortably
- ability to perform 10 x 100 kick off 2.15 comfortably
RACING ABILITIES
Racing abilities are so important to a competitive athlete. Swimmers need to be reliable attenders and galas and be attending meets targeted by the coaching staff. Swimmers that want to be considered for movement will need to show the skills above and a desire to improve to reach a regional/national standard.
- swimmers should have attained county qualifying times across three strokes(preferably including an IM)
- 12 year old's should have attained a regional qualifying time or be within 5% of attaining one
ANNUAL REPORTS
· Swimmers will be given their annual report by the Head Coach. Swimmers will need to add/highlight their season goals and hand it into their coach when requested.
DISCIPLINE
Every swimmer wanting to be promoted must show the following behavioural traits:
· Respect for coaching staff
· Willingness to listen and learn
· Good lane discipline
· Willingness to support team mates in training sessions and competitions
- Good Time-keeping - Arrive on time for sessions/competitions etc.
The final decision on swimmers moving between squads/lanes lies with the coaching staff. When the coach feels a swimmer is ready to move to the senior performance squad, he/she will arrange a meeting with the swimmers and his/her parents to discuss expectations for the move. The coach may decide to transition the swimmer slowly between the junior performance and senior performance squads or move the swimmer with immediate effect.
- The coaching team will have the opportunity to select 'wild cards' into the group if they do not meet all of the above criteria but it is felt that they have good long term potential.
PROCEDURE FOR SWIMMERS NO LONGER MEETING SQUAD CRITERIA
If once moving to the Performance squad, one or more of the following should occur then a swimmers place within the Performance squad may be subject to review…
-
A swimmer does not meet the club’s code of conduct (signed upon joining the club)
-
A swimmer no longer wishes to compete or perform for the team.
-
Coaches discretion is applied.
If a review is needed, one or more of the coaching team will meet with the swimmer and his/her parents and discuss expectations for being part of the Performance squad. Should performance not improve then the swimmer will be directed to train within the Development club section or other options to be discussed.