Club Overview

The Management Committee

Staines Swimming Club is governed by a committee comprising of: Chairperson, Treasurer, Secretary, Membership Secretary, Workforce Coordinator, Pool Booker, Fixtures Secretary, Fundraising Officer & Welfare Officer. The committee meet on a monthly basis and work to support the Head Coach with the running of the club.

Fees and Membership

The membership fee and pool time fees are combined and divided into 12 monthly payments, which should be made by standing order before the 1st of each month. In addition, all members must pay an annual ASA registration fee to the Club who, in turn, pass it on to the ASA This is collected annually in January of each year. Members are expected to meet all open, championship and other competition fees. The club pays for entries to team gala's such as Rother League & Junior League.

Club Kit and Equipment

Club colours are purple and black with the Staines logo of a swan. Hats, track suits, t-bags, polo shirts, sweat shirts and T-shirts are available to buy from the club shop. Swimmers should have fins, zoomers, kick board, pull buoy, bands and paddles according to which group they train with and these are available as new or second hand.

Fixtures

Annual club championships, Level 1, 2 and 3 galas, novice events, graded county meets, county age groups and championships, designated open meets, south east regional, national age groups and national championships; there are fixtures on our list to accommodate every level of swimmer within our club, as long as they meet A.S.A. regulations. The fixtures secretary and open meet secretary work closely with the chief coach to plan a full and worthwhile fixtures list. Training camps both international and domestic are another successful addition to the fixtures list.

Communication

E-mail is the main communication channel, we send notifications, announcements, forms, etc. to the email address/es provided during registration to the club and updated annually with the ASA membership form.  This website is also a focal point for communication, notices and news are located in the home page for quick access. There is also a notice board situated upstairs in the viewing gallery at Spelthorne Leisure Centre.

Club Progression Structure

We run our Learn to Swim program out of our very own Cygnet Pool teaching introductory strokes and skills to all ages. Lessons take place once or twice a week. Black Hats: for swimmers developing the ability to perform strokes and skills over a longer distance (20m). Advanced Teaching: Advanced stroke technique and skill development in our larger pools twice each week. Swimmers will have their first opportunities to compete at the age of 9 and above.

Competitive Pathway

Development Squad: the first of our training squads, swimmers continue stroke and skill development within training sets. Swimmers will compete individually and represent the club at this level. This is a key squad where swimmers home their race skills and technique. Academy Squad: the top squad in the Competitive Pathway swimmers aged 13 years and over aim at County qualification and to progress to be competitive at County level. Swimmers have regular pool training and land training to complement a very successful program.

Performance Pathway

Junior Performance: this is the first squad in the performance pathway where swimmers focus is too fold, high level physical conditioning with a focus on aerobic development and high level race skills. Swimmers weekly training program is agreed with the head coach and commitment levels must be maintained. Swimmers range from 10 - 13 years in Junior Performance. Swimmers start to learn the key components of training from pre and post pool land work to race preparation and endurance training. Swimmers are aiming to be highly competitive at County level and achieve regional qualification in preparation for progression to the next squad.  Senior Performance: Swimmers are aiming at Regional qualification and to progress to be highly competitive at Regional level. Swimmers commitment levels must be maintained for swimmers continued development. There is a greater focus on land based work in this squad and over time swimmers can build up to over 3 hours of focused strength and condition training. National Performance The top Performance Squad in the club, swimmers are aiming at National qualification and to progress to be highly competitive at National level. Swimmers will train a minimum of eight times a week with periodised training in preparation for major competition. Swimmers have the provision of 3 hours of 50m pool training per week, gym sessions, head sets, underwater camera filming and advanced information on performance lifestyle.

Fitness Pathway

For swimmers who aren’t looking to compete.  Academy & Junior Academy Squad Advanced stroke technique and skill development, allowing swimmers who want to train for fitness twice or three times each week, the opportunity to be involved in structured sessions with qualified coaches. Swimmers will have opportunities to compete and represent the club in various league galas. Masters for 16yrs+ members to train, socialise and compete if they want to. Sessions will be geared around fitness and competition skills.