Senior Squad Criteria

Athlete Development Support Pathway Stage: Active for Life — focus on maintaining fitness, enjoyment, and skill through structured training.

Description

• For swimmers who no longer wish to compete but enjoy structured, purposeful training.
• Provides an inclusive, positive environment for swimmers of all levels.
• Junior and Senior swimmers separated by lane for age-appropriate training and progression.
• Suitable for: former squad swimmers transitioning away from competition; swimmers entering from other clubs or backgrounds; individuals swimming for health, enjoyment, and overall fitness
• Squad placement is determined by the Head Coach, with ongoing input and regular feedback from squad coaches.

Expectations  (Mapped to the Optimal Athlete Development Framework (OADF))

• Person: Promote positive relationships, respect, and encouragement within the squad; demonstrate behaviours in line with the Code of Conduct.
• Athlete: Maintain regular attendance, engage in purposeful training, and take ownership of personal fitness.
• Performer: Apply learned skills to improve personal swimming ability and training efficiency, even without competition goals.

Requirements

• Ability to swim multiple lengths of each stroke with legal technique.
• Comfortable participating in varied sets (aerobic, skills-based, and drills).
• No competition requirement — optional participation in fun or club events.

Athlete Development Support Pathway Stage: Training to Train (building strong technical and physical foundations)

Description

• Bridge between Junior squads and high-level Senior squads.
• Normally swimmers 12 years+, under the Head Coach & Squad Coaches. Squad placement is determined by the Head Coach, with ongoing input and regular feedback from the squad coaches.
• Utilises two lanes, with swimmers split according to ability and turn-around times.
• Designed for swimmers close to or already achieving County qualifying times.
• Training commitment: 5 hours per week across 3 core pool sessions, plus 1 additional hour pool-based race skills and 1 hour land training — optional but highly recommended.

Expectations (Mapped to the Optimal Athlete Development Framework (OADF) – Person / Athlete / Performer)

• Positive attitude, resilience, and commitment to improvement.
• Coachability – accept feedback and adapt as necessary.
• Maintain a solid training work ethic and begin to develop intensity in training.
• Committed to continuous skill improvement across all strokes.
• Work with coaches to evaluate and update goals regularly.
• Maintain a strong peer support ethic and demonstrate Code of Conduct behaviours.
• Focus on stroke efficiency, pacing, and race skills under pressure.
• High attendance (85%+) and willingness to follow the competitive programme with parental support.

Requirements

• Close to or achieved County qualifying times.
• Strong technical foundation across all strokes and distances.
• Versatile and capable of race skills under pressure.
• Training ability benchmarks:
• Multiple 100m Freestyle on 2:00 holding legal technique.
• Multiple 200m Freestyle & 100m IM with legal technique.
• Active participation in club competitions and selected open meets.
• Progression aim: Qualify for more County events and work towards Regional standards.

Athlete Development Support Pathway Stage: Late Training to Train → Early Training to Compete (preparing for high performance competition)

Description

• Highest-level senior competitive squad.
• Normally swimmers 12 years+. 
• Squad placement is determined by the Head Coach, with ongoing input and regular feedback from the squad coaches.
• For swimmers consistently achieving County-level performances.
• Main focus on achieving Regional standards, with potential for National qualification.
• Training commitment: 6 hours per week across 3 core pool sessions, plus access to 1 additional hour pool-based race skills and 1 hour land training — optional but highly recommended.

Expectations (Mapped to the Optimal Athlete Development Framework (OADF) – Person / Athlete / Performer)

• Lead by example in training and competition.
• Positive attitude, resilience, and commitment to further improvement.
• Coachability – Continue to accept feedback and adapt as necessary.
• Accept feedback, adapt as necessary, and demonstrate independence.
• Maintain strong peer support and uphold Code of Conduct behaviours.
• Maintain a solid training work ethic, driving to complete or exceed all sets given.
• Pursue continuous skill improvement across all strokes.
• Develop intensity to challenge physical and mental limits.
• Evaluate and update goals regularly with coaches.
• Maintain winning habits – high attendance (90%+), preparedness, and full commitment to the club programme.

Requirements

• Consistently achieving County-level standards.
• Training ability benchmarks:
• Multiple 100m Freestyle on 1:25–1:40 holding legal technique.
• Multiple 200m Freestyle on 3:00–3:35 holding legal technique.
• Regular competition in all key club events, championships, and open meets.
• Progression aim: Achieve/Maintain Regional qualifying times and work towards National level if at that level.
• Continuing to build what’s been developed from County Performance 1 + 2. 

Athlete Development Support Pathway Stage: Active for Life - opportunity to train with purpose, whether for competition or personal fitness.

Description

• Open to swimmers aged 18+, including former competitive swimmers, triathletes, swimmers returning after a break
• Offers structured, progressive training tailored to individual goals.
• Combines technical work, endurance, and speed development.
• Squad placement is determined by the Head Coach, with ongoing input and regular feedback from squad coaches.

Expectations (Mapped to the Optimal Athlete Development Framework (OADF))

• Person: Contribute to a friendly, inclusive, and respectful squad culture; support teammates; follow the Code of Conduct.
• Athlete: Commit to purposeful training, whether for competition or fitness; work with the coach to set and adapt training goals.
• Performer: For those competing, aim to deliver technical and tactical execution in Masters competitions; for fitness swimmers, measure progress against personal targets.

Requirements

• Ability to swim multiple lengths of all four strokes with legal technique.
• Comfortable completing structured sessions including endurance, technique, and speed sets.
• Opportunities to compete in local and national Masters competitions (optional).