FALKIRK INTEGRATED REGIONAL SWIM TEAM (F.I.R.S.T) INFORMATION HANDBOOK
INTRODUCTION TO F.I.R.S.T Falkirk Integrated Regional Swim Team (F.I.R.S.T.) was formed in 2006. The aim was to establish a bespoke performance swimming squad which would allow competitive swimming clubs within the Falkirk area to provide a further development pathway for those swimmers, still of school age, but with the ambition to ultimately compete at a national level and even beyond. Three local swimming clubs, Bo ness ASC, Falkirk Otters ASC and Grangemouth ASC have all signed up to be part of the F.I.R.S.T programme and indeed every swimmer who currently trains with FIRST remains a member of one of these local clubs. In local meets, the swimmers from the F.I.R.S.T. squads will compete under the name of their member club and swim in their respective club colours. However for national events such as Scottish National Age Group Championships or British Championships, swimmers compete as F.I.R.S.T. and swim in F.I.R.S.T colours. Swimmers from member clubs who have qualified for entry to national events will also compete as F.I.R.S.T and swim in F.I.R.S.T colours even if they do not normally train as part of the F.I.R.S.T. squads. The support of the member clubs, Scottish Swimming and Falkirk Community Trust was and continues to be critical to the ongoing success of the F.I.R.S.T programme and since its formation, the squad has gone from strength to strength. F.I.R.S.T. has placed swimmers on National and GB teams for events such as National Inter Counties, UK School Games, Celtic Tri Nations, Euro Meet, European Youth Olympic Festival and European Juniors and indeed former F.I.R.S.T. swimmer Duncan Scott has gone on to compete at the 2014 Commonwealth Games and the 2016 Olympics. The F.I.R.S.T programme employs two professional coaches whose aim is to enable swimmers to reach their potential in line with the Scottish Swimming s National Pathway and to give them every opportunity to achieve their goals. Through a professional coaching strategy our coaches endeavor to enable swimmers to develop the necessary skills to allow them to make a successful transition to senior swimming once their school years are over. Key factors in that strategy are introducing the swimmers to an increased training load, national level competitions, travelling to meets away from home, warm weather camps, team building, time management with the ultimate aim of helping the swimmers become self-sufficient, well rounded athletes. Competitive swimming is a long journey with many challenges and the F.I.R.S.T programme is committed to supporting all our swimmers through this process to realize their maximum potential.
F.I.R.S.T COACHES HEAD COACH MONICA BORLAND The main purpose of the Head Coach Role is to lead and direct the development of performance swimming within the Falkirk, Grangemouth and Bo ness area through collaborative work with member clubs and managing and delivering the F.I.R.S.T swimming programme. Monica has responsibility for the development of swimming teams through coaching, mentoring and the employment of motivational skills engaging with committee and other stakeholders as required. Monica also oversees and supports the work of the Age Group Squad Coach (see below) as well as liaising with the member clubs to assist with the setting of aspirational targets for young swimmers and help ensure a strong stream of talent from these clubs for the F.I.R.S.T programme. Monica has extensive coaching experience having been involved in the sport for almost 20 years. As well as coaching full time, she has been involved in Scottish Swimming District Regional Programme, Youth Development Squad, is the current Youth Squad Lead boys coach and most recently has been invited to travel to Israel for the European Junior Championships as part of the GB coaching team. Monica has had many athletes placed on the Scottish Swimming development squads, as well as athletes selected for District and National Youth teams competing nationally and internationally. AGE GROUP COACH LYNN BRYCE The main function of the Age Group Coach is to contribute to the delivery of the F.I.R.S.T programme through coaching the Age Group Squad and being responsible for the individual development of swimmers within that squad through coaching, mentoring and employing motivational skills. They also play a critical role in liaising with the member clubs to assist with the setting of aspirational targets for young swimmers and help ensure a strong stream of talent from these clubs for the F.I.R.S.T programme. Lynn has extensive coaching experience having previously been the Age Group squad coach at Grangemouth ASC. Lynn has coached many swimmers to Scottish National level COACH QUALIFICATIONS Monica completed UKCC Level 3 (Coaching) Lynn completed UKCC Level 2 (Coaching)
F.I.R.S.T SQUADS The F.I.R.S.T. programme consists of two squads; Age Group Performance Squad Youth Performance Squad The programme itself is IM based, following the British Swimming Long Term Athlete Development (LTAD) model which is an age appropriate swimmer pathway. The expectation of both performance squad members is 100% attendance at training sessions. As a result, they have to learn to manage their time carefully. Juggling a busy training and competition schedule whilst making sure that school work is kept up to date is without doubt challenging especially as the athletes in the Youth squad and some of the Age Group swimmers will be sitting important exams during their time with F.I.R.S.T. Our coaches recognise the importance of school work and exam preparation and so swimmers are encouraged to discuss their school workload with their coach particularly at critical study times. Any sessions which may have to be missed should be agreed in advance. Such is their dedication, personal organisational and time management skills combined with their professional approach to their chosen sport, we regularly have athletes who excel at school as well as swimming. Time management is one of the many important life skills that our athletes will pick up during their swimming career. AGE GROUP PERFORMANCE SQUAD This squad trains with the Age Group Coach 6 days each week for a total of 16 hours in the pool. Swimmers are also required to participate in pre and post pool work, land training and stretching exercises. The evening sessions are held at a selection of venues across the Falkirk Region, including Grangemouth High School (GHS), Falkirk High School (FHS) and Bo ness Academy (BA). Weekday morning sessions also take place at Bo`ness Recreation Centre (BRC) and Saturday sessions are based at Grangemouth Sports Complex (GSC). It is recognised by the coaches that taking into account the age of the swimmer attendance at all morning sessions may not be immediately appropriate on transition to the squad therefore in some cases there may be a phased introduction to the morning sessions. This is managed by the Age Group Coach on an individual basis. Age Group Swimmers also on occasion are able to advantage of the excellent long course facilities at the National Swim Academy based at Stirling. Age Group squad training is focussed on the train to train stage of the LTAD model. At this stage the emphasis is on training rather than competition and the swimmers will train and compete on all 4 strokes and all distances all be it
for competitions their events will primarily be 200m and above as the selection for Scottish Swimming Squads for age group 11 14/15 is based on qualifying times achieved in events of 200m and above. The programme recognises that swimmers `best` stroke at 11 is unlikely to be their best stroke at 16 and therefore no swimmer should `specialise` at this early stage. The programme also recognises that this train to train stage of swimmer development is critical to future success within the sport as it has been shown that if a swimmer misses this stage of training, they may never reach their full potential. The relationship between the programme and the clubs is key to the development of all of our swimmers thus allowing them to be the very best that they can be and in order for our Age Group Swimmers to maintain important links with their club each swimmer will return to train with their member club for one session per week. The Age Group coach will write the session plans and training sets and liaise with the member club coaches to discuss session outcomes and performance. These sessions allow the Age Group Swimmers to retain close links with their member club and team mates, and it also provides an opportunity for younger swimmers within the member clubs to train alongside the squad which hopefully will inspire them to achieve entry to the squad. This arrangement promotes good working relationships amongst the coaches too. AGE GROUP SQUAD TRAINING SCHEDULE DAY AM Session PM Session Monday - - 18:30 21:00 Land + Pool GHS Tuesday 5:30-7:15 Pool BRC Varied Member Club Night Wednesday - - 16:45 19:30 Pool BAC Thursday 5:30-7:15 Pool BRC 17:00 19:00 Pool BAC Friday - - 18:00 20:00 Pool FHS Saturday 6:30-9:00 Pool GSC In terms of competitions, the main target meet for this squad is Scottish National Age Group Championships with some emphasis being placed upon West District Championships. We also anticipate that a number of swimmers will compete at the Scottish Summer meet with a few possibly making the British Summer meet. As part of the preparation for the main target meet Swimmers may also attend selected galas throughout the season. SELECTION TO THE AGE GROUP PERFORMANCE SQUAD It is essential to note there are no fixed criteria or time frame for entry to the F.I.R.S.T. Age Group Performance Squad. All progression to this Squad from the member clubs or any invitation to entry is at the professional discretion of the F.I.R.S.T coaches in consultation with club Head Coach and any other relevant persons as required.
The first stage in the process is for the Head Coach of the member club to submit a recommendation for consideration in writing outlining the individual swimmers achievements and suitability for consideration for acceptance into the programme. Following the submission of a recommendation for consideration there will be a period of consultation before the swimmer is offered the opportunity for a trial with the Age Group Squad. As part of that consultation process a range of factors will be taken into consideration and the following are offered as guidelines only: Age of Swimmer - 11yrs at the end of the year Achieved a Scottish National Age Group consideration time. Be able to complete 3k per hr / 30k per week with a high level of technical skill and consistency. Have a proven record of excellent attendance at all club training sessions associated with their club squad and fully complied with the criteria within their club squad. Be willing to follow the competition and training programme as agreed with the F.I.R.S.T. Age Group Performance Coach. (including the attendance policy) Demonstrate an appropriate attitude towards training, competing and being supportive of team mates within the context of the Scottish Swimming mind set development framework The trial period is generally set for a period of six weeks and is primarily designed to allow both swimmer and coach to see if the demands of the programme are something that the swimmer wants to and is able to meet. This trial period may be reduced/extended at the discretion of the Age Group Coach and will be discussed on an individual basis. Following satisfactory completion of the trial period the swimmer will formally be issued an invitation to join the Age Group Squad. Any application from a swimmer outwith a member club will be considered on a case by case basis, however that swimmer will need to become a member of one of the member clubs before being accepted onto the programme. The same considerations and guidelines as listed above will apply. SQUAD KIT Kickboard Pullbuoy Strapless + Finger Paddles Short Fins Snorkel Ankle Band (Provided) Skipping Ropes Tennis Ball Peanut
YOUTH PERFORMANCE SQUAD This squad trains with the Head Coach 6 days each week totalling 20 hours in the pool. Athletes are also required to participate in daily pre and post pool work as well as regular sessions with our strength and conditioning coach, Ross Marchbank. The evening sessions are all at Grangemouth High School (GHS), one of a number of excellent facilities in the area, with weekday morning sessions taking place at Bo`ness Recreation centre (BRC). For Saturday sessions we take advantage of the excellent long course facilities at the National Swim Academy(NSA) based at Stirling. YOUTH SQUAD TRAINING SCHEDULE DAY AM Session PM Session Monday 5:30 7:30 Pool BRC 16:45 19:30 Pool GHS Tuesday - - 16:45 19:00 Land + Pool GHS Wednesday 5:30 7:30 Pool BRC 16:45 19:30 Pool GHS Thursday - - 16:45 19:00 Land + Pool GHS Friday 5:30 7:30 Pool BRC 16:45 19:30 Pool GHS Saturday 10:00-12:00 Pool NSA Our competition calendar revolves around National meets Grand Prix, Short and Long Course National events plus British meets and some International meets. We are proud to have swimmers within our Youth Performance Squad who have qualified for Scottish Swimming Youth Squad (gold), Scottish Swimming Youth Development Squad (silver) and Senior Bronze. We also have a British Age group champion in multiple events (British record holder), a Scottish Junior record holder, several Scottish Age group champions and a swimmer who achieved the qualifying standard for the Commonwealth Youth Games. We also hold a number of Scottish and West District records and most recently have had a swimmer selected as part of the GB European Championship Team. SELECTION TO THE YOUTH PERFORMANCE SQUAD It is essential to note there are no fixed criteria or set time frames for entry to the F.I.R.S.T. Youth Performance Squad. All progression to this Squad from the F.I.R.S.T Age Group Squad or any invitation to entry is at the professional discretion of the F.I.R.S.T coaches and in consultation with any other relevant persons as appropriate. As part of that consultation process a range of factors will be taken into consideration and the following are offered as guidelines only: Age of the athlete Range of events Technical proficiency
Training background Rankings in Scotland / Britain Proven record of excellent attendance Proven record that they have followed their competition calendar Attitude towards their sport /team /team mates Applications from a swimmer outwith a member club will be considered on a case by case basis, however that swimmer will need to become a member of one of the member clubs before being accepted onto the programme. The same considerations and guidelines as listed above will apply. F.I.R.S.T KIT - Clothing Swimmers moving to F.I.R.S.T squads will require the following: F.I.R.S.T pool shirt ( 18.75 as at 2016) F.I.R.S.T Hoody ( 29.00 as at 2016) F.I.R.S.T Swimming Caps ( 5.00, 7.50 if named as at 2016) These may be ordered from Shona Lawrie (see table below) by email, copying in the FIRST Treasurer who will subsequently issue an invoice for the required amount. SWIMMER DEVELOPMENT Individual swimmers will receive ongoing feedback on performance as an integral part of training sessions as well as personal pre and post-race feedback at competitions. Swimmers will meet with their coach at the start of the season to discuss, agree, review and amend the swimmers short, medium and long term goals. These goals are individual should not be entirely focused on competition results. Swimmers & Coaches will also discuss and agree personal process goals that are necessary to ensure the desired outcome will follow. These meetings will ensure that each swimmer has a sound understanding of and commitment to what needs to be developed and aimed for as part of their individual swimming career pathway. A written record of these discussions shall be retained by the coach for future discussion with the swimmer. A copy of such notes shall be given to the swimmer for retention. FIRST TEAM DEVELOPMENT Three Clubs One Team! is a mantra which is often associated with the F.I.R.S.T programme and it provides a good summary of what the programme aims to deliver for performance swimmers in the area. Through continuing to support and develop relationships with the member clubs at swimmer, coach and committee level we seek to provide a swimming
pathway from club entry level to performance swimming at national, British and sometimes even international level for those swimmers who want to take their swimming career as far as they possibly can during their school age years. In order for the F.I.R.S.T programme to remain sustainable in future years it vital that as many swimmers as possible within the clubs are encouraged and motivated to develop their swimming potential to the level required for the transition to F.I.R.S.T age group swimming. Part of that process is to develop the concept of F.I.R.S.T as a team made up of representation from all member clubs and to ensure that swimmers across the member clubs know what to aim for if they want to make that transition to performance level training and competing. The F.I.R.S.T coaches work closely with club coaches to support the development of swimmers for entry to Age Group Squad. Monthly development sessions for club swimmers are hosted by F.I.R.S.T swimmers with club coaches being asked to nominate swimmers for attendance. Although at most competitions swimmers, including those who are part of the F.I.R.S.T squads, will compete under the name of their member club for national level competitions all swimmers compete as F.I.R.S.T. Competing as F.I.R.S.T at national level competitions allows for relay teams to be entered which helps to develop relationships amongst swimmers across all clubs and reinforce the concept of F.I.R.S.T as Three Clubs One Team. It is also important that both the squads within F.I.R.S.T are developed as a team, encouraging both squads to support and motivate each other to cope with the demands of a challenging training and competition schedule. Attendances at Warm Weather Camp and Team Travel to selected meets all underpin the development of relationships and team development across both squads. F.I.R.S.T GOVERNANCE Although all members of the FIRST Squads continue as members of their local clubs and are bound by their member clubs governance policies, F.I.R.S.T is also formally constituted with an active Committee elected annually at the F.I.R.S.T AGM. This separate governance is necessary to accommodate the independent funding the programme receives from Scottish Swimming and Falkirk Community Trust and the unique position of the F.I.R.S.T programme in having dedicated salaried coaching staff. The F.I.R.S.T Committee comprises two elements; a management element working alongside the club representation element. Wherever possible it is preferred that the presidents of the member clubs sit on the F.I.R.S.T committee as representative for their club. The management team of the committee administers and deals with the day to day running of the squad affairs and a key however all significant decisions affecting the programme and the member clubs are made following discussion, engagement and agreement with the full committee as defined in the F.I.R.S.T constitution.
The priorities for the committee are to work together to ensure that; The needs of swimmers are met both as individuals and as a team F.I.R.S.T achieves its aims To have the programme remain as affordable as possible for families within the area The Chair also has responsibility for agreeing and monitoring key performance indicators with the coaching staff as well as working with Scottish Swimming and Falkirk Community Trust representatives to agree 3-5 year business development plans for the programme. Furthermore, although as stated above all F.I.R.S.T swimmers are bound by their member clubs governance policies, on a practical level it is necessary for F.I.R.S.T to have dedicated committee roles and some bespoke policies, such as travel codes of conduct and use of mobile phones, which apply consistently to all swimmers and parents of swimmers in F.I.R.S.T squads. We also have some associated roles which, although not official committee roles with associated voting rights, are nonetheless essential and fundamental to the success of the programme. F.I.R.S.T COMMITTEE & ASSOCIATED ROLES FIRST COMMITTEE MANAGEMENT TEAM Position Name Email Chair Joanne Tierney chair@firstswimming.org Secretary May Dickson dicksonfm@btinternet.com Treasurer & Competition Michelle Adam treasurer@firstswimming.org Entries Child Protection Officer Mary Edgar kipcroftcollies@gmail.com FIRST COMMITTEE MEMBER CLUB REPRESENTATIVES Position Name Email Falkirk Otters ASC Wilson Ferguson falkirkotterpresident@gmail.com President(s) Kirsty Henderson Bo ness ASC President Myles Gorton president@bonessasc.org Grangemouth ASC President Keith Waddle k.waddle@icloud.com FIRST ESSENTIAL ASSOCIATED ROLES Position Name Email FIRST Gala Convenor(s) Vacant Meet Systems Manager(s) Vacant FIRST competition Entries Michelle Adam FIRST Team Managers/Team Travel FIRST Kit FIRST Newsletter FIRST Facebook Admin FIRST Fundraising Team Mary Edgar Dawn Palmer Jennifer Yeardley Shona Lawrie Lesley Elrick Derek Pirouet Dawn Palmer May Dickson Claire Kirkham
MEMBERSHIP/COMPETITION FEES & FUNDING The funding for the F.I.R.S.T programme is derived from the following sources; Annual grant from Falkirk Community Trust supplemented by pool hire concessions. (Agreed on a 3 yearly basis) Annual grant from Scottish Swimming (Agreed on a 3 yearly basis) Swimmer Fees paid by parents of swimmers training in F.I.R.S.T squads Member Club support. Under present arrangements F.I.R.S.T parents pay F.I.R.S.T fees directly to their member club on a monthly basis. The F.I.R.S.T Treasurer will then invoice the clubs quarterly for fees due. From 1 June 2017 fees will be set at 100 per month for a swimmer in Youth and 85 per month for an Age Group Swimmer. The differential reflects the increased pool time for Youth Squad along with access to a dedicated strength and conditioning coach. Swimmers will also continue to pay the annual membership fee set by their member club as per Scottish Swimming Requirements and competition fees are also paid directly to the swimmer s member club unless otherwise directed by the F.I.R.S.T Treasurer. Fees for team travel and warm weather camp will be invoiced to parents by the F.I.R.S.T Treasurer. VOLUNTEERS The F.I.R.S.T programme quite simply could not survive without the hard work of a number of parent volunteers who give up their time to support the programme in a wide range of activities. From providing technical officials at galas to organising fundraising events and galas we always need people willing to step up and share the work load. If you are willing to get involved even in the smallest capacity please do get in touch. You can contact the Chair in the first instance on chair@firstswimming.org and we would really welcome your support.