Welcome to Severnside Tritons, one of the largest and most successful swimming clubs in the South West and swimming out of 2 main leisure centres, Stroud and Thornbury.  We provide a competitive swimming programme and can support swimmers on to County, Regional and in some cases - National level.  We have a superb coaching team, the depth of which is the envy of most clubs, providing first class training in a fun and friendly, but competitive environment.

 

Swimming sessions

Timetables for Stroud and Thornbury can be found on our website.

Any updates to the timetables will be communicated directly to you via email and our OnDeck app. Plus available on our Team unify website.

It is an expectation that members of the club have a 75% attendance across the week’s sessions.

How much are the club fees?

There are 2 sets of fees payable by members of Severnside Tritons Swimming Club.

Membership fees are payable annually and cover your Swim England and Club membership, Category 1.  We require that at least one parent per family becomes a club member when there are children under the age of 18, Category 3.

Also if you decide to attend a meet you will be charged per race and also a £10 admin fee by the club to attend unless your swimmer is entered into 2 events or less then it is £5, which covers the passes for team managers and coach passes to support the swimmers over the weekend. Monthly training fees to cover pool time and other running costs which vary depending on which group your swimmer is in.

 

How do I know what's going on at the Club?

The Club has various communication methods. There are notice boards but the main means of communication is via the website or electronic communication. There are a number of electronic tools used for club management. Including:

Team Unify – Website

The main one is the TeamUnify based website where all members have a username and password for access, which will be given to you when you join. The Club always seeks to make increasing use of the internet and the website to communicate with members on happenings.

 

On Deck - App

On the App store (Android or Apple) you will find OnDeck.  Using the same login details as Team Unify this App enables you to be instantly updated, register for events, look at PBs and even check your account from your phone.

 

Club contacts

All emails for coaches and the club committee can be found on our website.

You can also follow us on Facebook and Instagram

 

How do the swimming groups work?

The Club is divided into swimming groups. There are expectation criteria for each group and swimmers will move through the different stages of the LTAD as they progress through. 

Groups and Swimmer pathway

• A1
• A2
• B1
• B2
• C
• D
• Club link

All movements from one group to another are based on the overall capabilities and potential of the swimmer. The performance of the swimmer, his or her ability to train, attendance, attitude and technique are also very important factors to consider. Chronological age and peer groups are factors considered but not necessarily the primary ones. There can be massive differences developmental and chronological ages. Decisions about swim group assignment are made by the Head Coach but the following criteria will give you a better idea of the requirements for each group: Group Criteria.

 

If you change groups you will need to amend your standing order for your swimming fee - please contact the Membership Secretary or Treasurer if you need advice.

 

Do I need to wait when my child swims?

The Club or coaches can only be responsible for swimmers during their sessions and not before or after this time.  The club cannot be responsible for your child away from the poolside.  This includes in the changing rooms, other areas of the buildings and outside any swimming pool used by the Club.  The conduct and behaviour of your child remains your responsibility at all times. In particular you must make sure that when you drop your child off to train there the coach has confirmed that the session will go ahead. Primary school age children should not be dropped off and should always have a responsible adult present.

Who helps on poolside?

The Club has a large number of coaches, teachers and poolside assistants.  It is important that the time they spend for the benefit of the Club is not wasted and your co-operation during the teaching/coaching sessions is appreciated. If you want to know anything please do not be afraid to ask or speak to any member of the coaching team.

We have a Head Coach, David McCoubrie, who looks after the overall programme and coaches at both locations, and then two Assistant Head Coaches, Sara Part for Thornbury and Jane Seymour for Stroud.  In addition to these three coaches, there are a further 6 coaches who take regular sessions each week, all suitable qualified.

 

We are also extremely fortunate to have a large number of parents who have qualified as timekeepers, judges, starters and referees so that we are able to provide officials at the various galas and competitions we enter. If you are interested in helping in this way, please speak to a Committee member.

 

Where can I buy swimming equipment?

The Club shop is run by Sarah Platt.  The Cub specialises mainly in Club branded kit (including hats, water bottles) and swimming goggles further information can be found on our website.

If you would like to make an order please email: [email protected]

 

 

How can I help my child?

Firstly, by enabling your child to get to as many of their scheduled sessions as possible.

Secondly, by enabling your child to get to the sessions on time.  Each session starts with a warm up. It is essential that the children warm up properly and the coach will not allow children to swim who have not been able to do this.

Finally the club always needs help.  We are a non-profit organisation and in order to keep monthly swim fees to a minimum we use as much volunteer time as possible.  Parents are encouraged to help with the running of our two annual open meets as well as internal competitions or social events.  It is particularly important to have enough trained Officials to help with galas as each swim club is expected to provide a certain number of trained officials at each gala.

If you are interested in becoming trained there are courses available.  It isn't difficult and is a great way to experience galas and get involved with your child's sport. Members of the committee, whose names are on the website, are always happy to advice on these courses and how you can help generally.

We also welcome parents to get involved in the running of the club by becoming committee members.   There are various roles which are elected at the Annual General Meeting in November each year.  We try to split the responsibilities up as much as possible to make the roles manageable.

 

Does the Club have a Child Protection policy?

The Club has adopted all the principles relating to child protection contained in the Swim England Child Protection Policy. The Club has a Welfare Officer to whom you should address all issues of child welfare. The Welfare Officer will deal with any such matter in accordance with the Swim England Child Protection Policy ('Wave Power' - Child Welfare in Swimming - the Swim England Child Protection Policy). We have also adopted the Swim England Anti-Bullying Policy for Swimming Clubs contained in the 'Wave Power' booklet and we will follow the procedures contained in that policy if an incident of bullying is alleged. Our Coaches, teachers and other volunteers are DBS checked. Coaches have attended a child safeguarding course and they will ensure that best practice is followed at all times within the Club. However, if anybody has any concerns, or believes that the welfare of a child is at risk, they can call Swimline on 0808 100 4001.

 

Are there galas and competitions?

Yes, Severnside Tritons enters swimmers for different competitions on a regular basis and children generally start swimming at these events in their ninth year. We compete in galas, leagues, open meets and Championship events.  We've created a seperate information webpage about competitions along with some hints and tips.  Competitions Hints and Tips

 

Does the Club have insurance?

Every swimmer and every volunteer is a club member and the Club pays an annual fee so that they are also all members of Swim England. This provides the club 3rd party liability insurance for accidents during training or participating at galas with the club. Swimmers who take part in Open Meets, County Championships etc count as competitive swimmers and will be registered as such with the Swim England. Every Club Member will have a unique registration number. For more information regarding  club insurance please see the Club Secretary.

 

 

How do I resign from the Club?

If you decide to leave the Club you must inform the Membership Secretary by giving a months written notice. Under Swim England rules once a member, you remain so until a written resignation is received and anyone who has outstanding fees at one club may not join or compete for a new club until those outstanding fees have been paid.

 

Can I take photographs?

The club requests that you refrain from using video, zoom or close range photography, including mobile phones cameras on poolside or the balcony during galas or at training sessions, or any other situation where swimmers will be wearing swimsuits.

 

 

 

 

Do you take a breaks from training?

Like many clubs, Severnside Tritons runs on the goodwill and volunteering of many teachers and coaches throughout most of the year.  We always reduce the number of sessions that run in the summer and during Christmas holidays. These are periods of rest and recovery for the swimmers who usually grow, recharge their batteries, and come back fresh and raring to go!  There are usually a small number of sessions for some groups to maintain some fitness. For groups other than Performance and Age Group Performance we usually stop completely for both of these holiday periods. Holiday training schedules will be posted on the website and sent out in an email to parents so it will be clear what groups are training, what times and at which pools.

 

Can beginners join?

Severnside Triton's is a competitive swimming club and swimmers have usually already reached a minimum of Swim England Stages 5-6 when before they start we us.  In general we do not teach swimming lessions.   We would aim to continue to focus on good body position, teaching good technique for these young swimmers.

 

 

 

 

 

What will my child learn?

We aim to develop children to their full potential in competitive swimming. As well as learning to become independent, your child will improve their expertise in swimming techniques, diving off starting blocks, mastering turns, as well as increasing their stamina and fitness.

 

Will my child be made to swim strokes he/she doesn't like?

It is important that children don't focus on just the strokes they find easiest to swim. For overall swimming development children need to swim the full range of strokes and will be encouraged to do so. The club training programme focuses on the all round development of the swimmers and is constructed to enable swimming of 200/400 Individual Medley events.