Senior Competitive Squad Criteria
- Squad coach, Dave
- Supporting coaches: Jake, Louise and Jean
Overview
Senior Competitive Squad will be made up of swimmers looking to have the ability and desire to achieve BSBASA County qualifying times in any event. It will also include swimmers who are looking to simply maintain their fitness, compete as and when, or to simply focus on personal goals.
The following guidelines will be applied to swimmers selected to the Senior Competitive Squad:
- Swimmers should be established in all four strokes and be confident and competent in entering a wide range of events at local competitions.
- Swimmers will build upon the skills developed in Junior Competitive squad, for successful competitive swimming.
- Swimmers will increase their aerobic development.
- Introduction of and continued low-level land work.
- Swimmers will range from 13 years old.
The aim of this squad is to enhance skill and aerobic development for personal progression.
Training attendance
Training consists of 2 elements:
- Swim training;
- Land training.
Swimmers have more flexibility within this squad but should try to commit themselves to a minimum of 3 sessions a week for squad progression.
Land training is provided on Sunday nights at 5pm 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, such as Arena League and Thames Valley Junior League.
It is advised that at least four external competitions must be entered each year as per squad open meet programme. This should include Level 3 Long course Meets if featured on the clubs schedule. However, this is only a guide and not mandatory.
It is important to stick to the meet schedule, over-competing is likely to prevent further development. Swimmers should not attend meets other than with the club.
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.
Required performance levels
‘Senior Competitive’ Squad swimmers should be aiming for 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). This will aid them in their squad progression if this is their target.
However, personal training and competition goals within this squad are welcomed, as explained in the overview. Coaches will support all swimmers with their individual training aims and targets.
Volunteering
The club is run by volunteers, and we expect as swimmers progress through the squads that parents will start to volunteer in some form to ensure the continued operation of the club. This includes roles such as joining the committee, training as an official to help at meets and run internal galas and offering to fill jobs at our internal meets.
Review of squad members
Continuation in Senior Competitive Squad is at the discretion of the Squad and 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 nearing the age of 18, may be offered a place in our Masters squad.
Performance levels alone will NOT guarantee a place in the ‘Competitive’ Squad.
The above is at the discretion of the Head Coach at all times and special circumstances may apply.
Kit Required
