Age Group Squad

Swimmers will develop through this squad from a 10 hour a week platform to 14 hours a week and potential development into National qualifiers and future International standard swimmers.

Aims –

·        National and High Level Regional success.

·        To develop training and competition skills ready for the step up to the National Squad.

·        To educate swimmers on time management, healthy lifestyles, and competition protocols.

·        To increase the standard of skills but also introduce additional training types and a cyclical programme of development.

·        To increase stability, strength and control through more challenging land training.

Criteria –

·        Minimum attendance of 75%.

·        Swimmers will be 10-15 in the year of competition (15's who have not yet hit Peak Height Velocity) and capable of achieving County/Regional standard.

·        Swimmers will have advanced stroke technique and effective turns in all four strokes.

·        Swimmers will be able to perform a 400 IM under ASA laws.

·        Selected by Head Coach and Assistant Coach based on attitude, discipline, long-term potential and competition performance.

Competitions –

·        Home Nation Summer Champs

·        Counties / Regionals

·        Various Open Meets

·        Team Competitions, e.g. MKJL, ARENA League

Training – 10 HRS

·        Swimmers will show dedication to improving their swimming skills, to include starts, turns, finishes, underwaters, breakouts and efficiency, especially:

o   No breath on last stroke and first stroke every wall.

o   Minimum of 5 FAST kicks u/w every wall.

o   Attempts to complete all turns with a fast rotation and no gliding in on last stroke.

·        Swimmers will be able to complete a 200m timed kick in under 4 minutes and a set of 8 x 100 kick on 2.20.

Training – 12-14 HRS

·        Swimmers will show dedication to improving their swimming skills, to include starts, turns, finishes, underwaters, breakouts and efficiency, especially:

o   No breath on last stroke and first two strokes every wall.

o   Minimum of 6 FAST kicks u/w every wall.

o   All turns completed with a fast rotation and no gliding in on last stroke.

·        Swimmers will be able to complete a 200m timed kick in under 3 minutes 30 seconds.