Tynemouth Amateur Swimming Club Squad Aims and Objectives Updated: February 2016 Introduction As a Club it is essential that we have in place a training structure that is suitable for all of our swimmers and is also cost effective. As such our Performance Coach (Chris Reekie) has worked with the coaching and teaching team and reviewed the structure and squad criteria that we have in place. It is hoped that this structure will provide an opportunity for all swimmers to progress and develop their skills and improve on their overall performance. Guiding Principles Long term athlete development framework this is based on human growth and development and contains five stages: o FUNdametals basic movement literacy o SwimSkills building technique o Training to train building the engine o Training to compete optimising the engine o Training to win maximising the engine Entry to a squad is based on the previous season s performance or the swimmers ability to achieve qualification and entry at a particular level County, Regional or National and beyond. Squads will be age appropriate. (Based on the swimmers age at 31 December 2016 for 2015/16 season). Swimmers must be able to meet the training and competitive commitment required. The emotional and physical maturity of each swimmer will be taken into account. To introduce flexibility of movement between squads. To develop clear pathways for competitive and non-competitive swimmers.
The Competitive Squads A. National and National Potential ( 19 hours) (Performance Coach Chris Reekie) 1. Typically swimmers age 13+ 2. British or Home Nations National Qualifier or shows the potential to achieve this in a specified time frame. 3. Ability to cope with the amount and intensity of all training required 4. Be technically proficient across all 4 strokes and have an understanding of training zones, stroke length and rates Have an average attendance of 80% Ability to commit mentally and physically to the training programme Ability to take on board technical and tactical feedback and advice to use to improve performance Maintain performance 1. Masters Squad 2. Regional Squad 3. Senior Squad
B. Regional Squad (15 hours) (Coach Becki McGuire) 1. Typically aged 11 16 years 2. Competing at regional level or has the potential to achieve these qualifying times within a specified time frame 3. Ability to cope with the amount and intensity of training required, including weekday and weekend morning sessions 4. Be technically proficient across all 4 strokes and have an understanding of training zones, stroke length and rates Have an average attendance of 80% Ability to take on board technical and tactical feedback and advice to use to improve performance Maintain performance 1. National Squad 2. County Squad 3. Senior Squad 4. Sprint Squad
C. County Squad Yellow (9.5 hours) (Coach Chris Reekie) 1. Typically aged 9 12 years 2. Competing at least at County level or have the potential to within a specified time frame 5. Ability to cope with the amount and intensity of training required, including weekday morning sessions 3. Ability to complete all four strokes legally and efficiently 4. Ability to use pace clock and repeat times Note: We are aware that the transition between Dolphins and County Squad may be difficult for some swimmers. In such circumstances a phased transition plan will be developed between the County Squad Coach and the parents and swimmer. Morning sessions will only attend morning sessions as directed by their coach. This situation will be reviewed on a 3 monthly basis to assess whether or not the swimmer is ready to undertake the full offer of training for the County Squad. Have an average attendance of 75% Ability to concentrate and be able to take on board teaching/coaching points and advice to help improve all 4 strokes and overall performance Maintain performance Attend morning training sessions (unless otherwise directed by the coach) 1. Regional Squad 2. County Blue 3. Dolphins 4. Sprint Squad
D. County Blue Squad (9.5 hours) (Coach Nathan Collins) 1. Typically aged 13 17 years 5. Competing at least at County level or have the potential to within a specified time frame 6. Ability to cope with the amount and intensity of training required, including weekday morning sessions 6. Ability to complete all four strokes legally and efficiently 7. Ability to use pace clock and repeat times Have an average attendance of 75% be able to take on board teaching/coaching points and advice to help improve all 4 strokes and overall performance 1. Regional Squad 2. Sprint Squad
E. Dolphins (7 hours) (Teacher Sophie Booth) 1. Typically aged 8 12 years 2. Competitive swimmers (based on attending galas external to Tynemouth Club and Pool) 3. ASA Competitive Start Award 4. National Plan for Teaching Swimming stage 8 5. Ability to cope with the amount and intensity of training required 6. Ability to complete all four strokes legally and efficiently 7. Be able to use the pace clock and repeat times Maintain and average attendance of 75% Show good concentration and be able to take on board teaching/coaching points and advice to help improve all 4 strokes and overall performance Please note: swimmers in this squad will work to achieve Stage 9 and Stage 10 of the National Plan for Teaching Swimming. 1. County Blue 2. County Yellow 3. Sprint Squad 4. Barracudas
F. Barracudas (4.5 hours) (Teacher Kerry Frenz and Taylor Gillyon) 1. Typically aged 7-11 years 2. Competitive swimmers (based on attending galas and time trials) 3. National Plan for Teaching Swimming Stage 6 4. ASA Preliminary Competitive Start (Deep end) 5. Ability to complete all four strokes legally 6. Be able to use the pace clock 7. Ability to cope with the amount and intensity of training required Maintain an average attendance of 75% Show good concentration and be able to take on board teaching/coaching points and advice to help improve all 4 strokes and overall performance Please note: swimmers in this squad will work to achieve Stage 7 and Stage 8 of the National Plan for Teaching Swimming and completing the ASA Competitive Start Award. 1. Dolphins 2. Marlins 3. Group 6
The Non-Competitive Squads If a swimmer is in any of the squads below attendance at competitions is optional. Swimmers in these squads are still members of the club and will be included in club activities. A. Masters Entry Criteria 1. Age 18+ 2. Ability to communicate well with coaching team and develop personal training programme with the coaching team 3. Be a positive role model for all swimmers within the club 4. Be self-motivated and able to use the pace clock and work off given sessions 5. Ability to train at the appropriate level Competing in the squad is optional A. Seniors Entry Criteria 1. Age 16 18 competitive and ex-competitive swimmers 2. Ability to communicate well with coaching team and develop personal training programme with the coaching team 3. Be a positive role model for all swimmers within the club 4. Be self-motivated and able to use the pace clock and work off given sessions 5. Ability to train at the appropriate level Competing in the squad is optional B. Sprint Squad Entry Criteria 1. Age 17 and under 2. Ability to train at the appropriate level Competing in this squad is optional It is possible for swimmers to move between the two pathways within the club providing they meet the entry criteria for the squad in question. Swimmers in this squad can be offered places in other squads within the club:
1. Barracudas 2. Dolphins 3. Sharks 4. County 5. Regional 6. National 7. Masters C. Marlins (3 hours) (Teacher Derek Crosby) Swimmers entering this squad could also be competitive swimmers who do not meet the criteria to go into Barracudas or may still be determining whether or not they wish to compete. They may also be swimmers who have entered the club as older children and need to develop skills and technique before they can be offered a place in other squads. 1. Competitive and non - competitive swimmers 2. Age 8-14 years It is possible for swimmers to move between the two pathways within the club providing they meet the entry criteria for the squad in question. Swimmers in this squad can be offered places in other squads within the club: 1. Barracudas 2. Sprints 3. Group 6 Swimmers in this squad will continue to work on the National Plan for Teaching Swimming and should aim to achieve Stages 7, 8, 9 and 10.
Learn To Swim These groups start at Tadpoles and go up to Group 6. Tadpoles (Teachers: Tracey, Carole and Kerry) these are who are just learning to swim and should aim to achieve the Amateur Swimming Associations Duckling 1 award, Stages 1 and 2 of the National Plan for Teaching. Once they have achieved Stage 2 of the National Plan for Teaching Swimming and providing that they are able to cope with the lesson structure they will be offered a place in Group 1. Group 1 (Teacher: Tracey) these swimmers will be able to swim the width of the small pool on their back and on their front without swimming aids or equipment. Swimmers in Group 1 will work to achieve Stage 2 and 3 or the National Plan for Teaching Swimming. In this group swimmers will be assessed in the big pool to determine whether or not they can attend a time trial or compete in Club Championships held in December each year. Group 2 (Teacher: Tracey) these swimmers will work to achieve Stages 2 and 3 of the national Plan for Teaching Swimming. Taking part in time trials or competing in Club Championships (held in December each year) is not essential to these swimmers as they may not have the confidence to tackle this at this stage in their development. Group 3 (Teachers: Courtney and Kate) these swimmers will be working to achieve Stage 4 of the National Plan for Teaching Swimming. All swimmers in this group are expected to attend time trials and Club Championships (held in December each year) if appropriate. Group 4 (Teachers: Kate and Courtney) these swimmers will be also be working to achieve Stage 4 of the National Plan and covering some of the work detailed in Stage 5. All swimmers in this group are expected to attend time trials and Club Championships (held in December each year) if appropriate. Group 5 (Teachers: Carole and Taylor) these swimmers will be working to complete Stage 5 of the National Plan for Teaching Swimming. Swimmers in this group will also have the opportunity to start working towards achieving the ASA Competitive Start Award. All swimmers in this group are expected to attend time trials and Club Championships (held in December each year) if appropriate. Group 6 (Teachers: Carole) these swimmers will be working to complete Stage 6 of the National Plan and may also cover some of the skills required for Stage 7. Swimmers in this group will continue the work they started in Group 5 towards achieving the ASA Competitive Start Award. All swimmers in this group are expected to attend time trials and Club Championships (held in December each year) if appropriate. Stroke Improvement this group has been developed to support older children who have never had formal swimming lessons in the past or who have never been part of a swimming club. The aim of this group is to improve the skills and technique of the children to enable them to progress to one of the other groups or squads.