DEVELOPMENT SQUADS

Jan Shepherd, Development Head Coach 

Other Coaches
Sarah Whitbread, Learn 2 Swim co ordinator & Dev Coach
 

Development Squads Structure and Criteria
The Development Squads are managed by the Development Head Coach, Jan Shepherd

There are three specific levels

• Development & Development +2
• Advanced Development  
• Development Academy

Swimmers join from TSC Teaching Scheme & external Learn to Swim Programmes. via assessment 

To join Development, our entry squad, the following standard of swimming is required:

•     25m front crawl with regular breathing to the side
•     25m backstroke with good body position & straight arm recovery.
•     25m breaststroke with a symmetrical leg kick.
•     10m Butterfly with dolphin kick and symmetrical arms

To ensure our swimmers are given the best chance to reach their full potential, that they enjoy swimming and get as much out of the sport as possible now & in the future we follow the

Swim England Athlete Development Support Pathway for Swimming (ADSP)

The model is a framework for the development of children’s physical literacy (fundamental movement skills and sport specific skills) and aims to encourage lifelong participation in sport and physical activity (in this case aquatics). Specifically, it talks about how much training and competing each child should do as they develop. It is all about getting the right balance: a concept Teddington SC supports from Development to National Squad.

Attendance: ALL Development swimmers are expected to attend regularly to retain a place in the squad, if swimmers do not attend the Development Head Coach may suggest a move to a different group or the TSC Teaching Scheme.

Equipment

Swimmers joining  will need their own equipment. Some second-hand items are available.

All equipment & water bottles should be marked with the swimmer’s name

• Water bottle - no glass & no clear plastic lids
• Training Fins (these have a short blade, which help to build muscle by adding resistance to your kick, they increase the surface area of the foot, providing added propulsion and increased speed while swimming)
• Kick Board
• Pull Buoy
• Equipment Bag

Competition: Development swimmers are encouraged to enter competitions within the club e.g. Development Galas, Club Championship, Borough Championship, County Development Competitions and local Open meets to develop to refine their skills. Swimmers should be available to represent TSC, if selected. This will primarily be the MK&D Junior League in June/July/September & County Relays between January & March.

Dev 1 / 2 – Termly Development Galas – 25m, 50m events & 100IM

Dev +2 - Termly Development Galas – 50m & 100IM

Ad Dev – Termly Development Galas – 100IM & 200m, Club Champs, Borough Champs & Open Meets as recommended for Squad – ONE PER TERM

Dev Academy - Termly Dev Galas – all events + Club Champs – All events for age group, Borough Champs & Open Meets as recommended for Squad & County Championships

Please note the coaching Team select meets for the squads in consultation with the Open Meet Team, squad recommendations are made to ensure that swimmers

• have a balance of training & competition,
• can attend and support each other
• are prepared for the Meet.

Swimmers may meet the published eligiblity criteria for meets recommended for another squad, or the Development Head Coach will occasionally recommend a swimmer enters a meet aimed at another squad. An entry should only be submitted with the agreement of the Development Head Coach.