Competitive Swimming – Squad Structure

Development A & B Squad

The Development squad is the starting point for many young swimmers who have not experienced club swimming before and is primarily for swimmers between the ages of 7 and 10.

Swimmers should be at stage 7 and above (or the equivalent) and also be able to swim more than 250 meters continually, to be considered for this squad. Click here for more information on the level swimmers need to be at learn to swim stage 7 award

If you are interested in joining please click here to book a trial.

The main aims in the Development squad are:

• To aid the development of younger swimmers.
• To teach younger swimmers competitive swimming drills.
• To develop skills and technique of younger swimmers.
• To prepare younger swimmers for the competitive squads and competitions.
• To introduce swimmers to the concept of competitive training.

If swimmers find that competitive swimming is not for them and they do not make the necessary progress to be considered for promotion to the Junior Competitive Squads, or if they do not want to swim more than once a week, once they have reached the appropriate age we can offer them the opportunity to try out either our Artistic Swimming or Waterpolo teams, or they can also consider our Just Swim Section.

Performance Squads A & B

The Performance Squads are the pinnacle of our Competitive Swimming section and is aimed at swimmers 11 years and older who are aiming to swim at County, Regional and eventually National, British Championships and beyond.

We are focused on helping swimmers to achieve their personal goals and our Head Coach designs and delivers a training schedule to support this, offering a varied set at each training session to build stamina and strength, whilst also developing a swimmers individual techniques.

All swimmers are expected to attend galas and team events during the course of the swimming year so that they gain qualifying times in both Short (25m) and Long Course (50m) pools.

The Club send a strong squad to the Essex County Age Group Championships in February each year and also the East Region Age Group Championships held each year in April/May, as well as regularly sending swimmers to compete at the British and English national championships.

Performance swimmers are expected to have a high commitment to their training programme and be focused on achieving their full potential. Swimmers need to demonstrate that they regularly meet their training, including regularly attending a weekday morning session, and also have the relevant performance and a strong training ability to be keep their place in the squads.

Minimum training requirement for swimmers age up to 13 years old
5 sessions per week, including at least one weekday morning per week.

Minimum training requirement for swimmers aged 13 years and above
6 sessions per week, including at least one weekday morning per week.

Youth Competitive Squad

This squad is aimed at competitive swimmers who are aged 13 and above who do not meet the necessary performance criteria and / or training commitment for a move to the Performance squads.

Swimmers in this squad are required to attend a minimum of 2 sessions per week, which should include one weekday morning session per week.

Because of the reduced training commitment the primary focus of these squads will be on short distance swimming i.e. 50’s & 100’s.

Key points:

• Year round focus on speed and power.
• Target Competitions as normal.
• Individual goal setting.