Performance Squad Criteria
Squad Coaches - Emma Harris
Other coaches for the squad - Carolyn McLeod
Overview
The aim of this squad is;
- To build swimmers’ discipline, commitment and attitude levels;
- Build stability and basic strength through land training and harder swim sets;
- To build swimmers' competition and training skills required for ‘Advanced Performance’ Squad, and:
- To educate swimmers on time management, healthy lifestyles and swim gala protocols.
The recommended age for ‘Performance’ Squad will be girls 12-15, boys 13-16 and swimmers should be advanced in stroke technique and have efficient turns in all four strokes
Training attendance
Training consists of 3 elements:
- Short course swim training;
- Long course training at Aldershot; and
- Land training.
Swimmers should commit themselves to 8 hours a week including the weekly long course training at Aldershot. Under no circumstances should attendance at long course training be less than 50% of offered sessions in a month.
Morning sessions should not be shied away from.
Land training is provided on Sunday nights from 6pm-7pm and this should be attended by all swimmers to improve core strength. Swimmers who turn up to swim training on Sunday night having not attended land training should not expect to be allowed to swim.
Competition attendance
Swimmers must attend club events when selected for the team, i.e. Arena league, Thames Valley Junior League.
At least five external competitions must be entered each year as per squad open meet program, including Country and Regional Championships where qualifying. Over-competing is likely to prevent further development and as such swimmers should not attend additional meets without discussion with the Head Coach – the training programme is designed around club attended meets to maximise performance at those times in the year. Squad places will be jeopardised if this is compromised.
Motivation of swimmers
Swimmers are expected to maintain a positive attitude and must try their hardest in all sessions. This can be demonstrated by meeting the times set by the coach for session sets and progress towards their annual goals.
This will be constantly monitored and swimmers not committing to the squad program will be moved to a squad more relevant to their commitment and ability levels.
Required performance levels
‘Performance’ Squad swimmers should ideally be at Berks and South Bucks County level for their current age group as per County rulings; all times must be obtained at a licensed meet (L4 and above). These should be in 100m or above events.
Review of squad members
Continuation in ‘Performance’ Squad is at the discretion of the Head Coach based on performance, attendance and attitude towards the training programme.
Any swimmer who has a long-term injury is highly likely to be moved to another squad. Swimming in a less pressurised environment has been proven to help with a faster, better recovery.
Movement from this squad will be at the discretion of the Head Coach after consultation with the squad coach, based on stroke technique and skill levels along with performance, attendance and attitude towards training. Swimmers may from time to time be individually invited to train with ‘Advanced Performance’ squad.
Performance levels alone will NOT guarantee a place in ‘Performance’ Squad.
The above is at the discretion of the Head Coach at all times and special circumstances may apply.
Kit Required
