Squad structure and criteria
Criteria for movement of swimmers through the squads
The squad criteria and movement through the squads is set by the Head & Assistant Head Coach. It is continually reviewed, and as the club progresses will be subject to change. The performance standards set are merely targets to be achieved before being considered for squad movement. Other factors will be used by the coaching staff to assess whether a swimmer is ready to move squads. These will include; perceived potential (as recognised by the relevant coaches), training ability, technical ability, positive attitude, behaviour in training, attendance record and attendance at recommended competitions (see competition plan). The club reserves the right to move swimmers between squads on the recommendation of the head and assistant head coach.
Those swimmers who currently train below the recommended number of sessions for the squad they are in will be expected to gradually increase the number of sessions to fulfil the training requirements of that squad. Please note: land training is an essential component of a swimmer’s development, and so swimmers are expected to attend these sessions where indicated. This will be monitored by the group coaches.
Swimmers may lose their place in the squad if these criteria are not met and maintained. In the event of the squad being full, swimmers who are not meeting the training requirements or criteria may be moved. Swimmers and/or parents will be involved in discussion with the coach before such measures are utilised.
The head/lead coach’s decision on whether swimmers are displaying sufficient commitment to the programme will be final.
The protocols and criteria are continually being reviewed by the lead coaches. It is expected that the criteria will evolve as the club develops. The head coach, in conjunction with the club, reserves the right to alter the criteria for this programme at any time, if deemed necessary.
In order for coaches to plan weekly programmes and balance squad training sessions, some have priority sessions (PS) which are recommended for swimmers to attend.
In addition, the group coach may direct swimmers to specific sessions in order to optimise an individual’s swimming development. For example, some swimmers may require an additional skill-based session whilst others may need more endurance development.
Progressions in the Academy Squads
For swimmers to fulfil their potential it is important that they acquire good skills before progressing through the academy. Swimmers’ skill level, session attendance, behaviour and competition attendance will be continually monitored and assessed by their group coach. The group coach will provide each swimmer with an assessment report in December/January, with a final review at the end of the season. There may be a few moves during the season between squads but these will only be for those swimmers whom the academy development coach considers ready to move, based on skill level, performance and attendance in training and competitions, and behaviour.
Exams (GCSE and A Levels)
Swimmers entering an important period of public examinations or similar circumstances and who feel that their training commitments cannot be met should negotiate such arrangements with the group coach in advance of the required period.
Please note:
All squad positions allocated in August are based on results from the previous season and are in line with the new British Swimming structural changes. After January, new places will be considered in relation to achieving county, regional or national qualifying times or rankings during the season.
Training ability for non-Academy swimmers will be monitored and assessed in training and results forwarded to the head coach. Annual percentage improvement in competition will be monitored throughout the year. In the Academy squads; the Academy development coach will monitor progress as outlined above.
All ages in this document are based on ages as of December 31st unless otherwise stated.
Definitions
Age Group swimmers: 14 years / under (age as of December 31)
Youth swimmers: 15 years / over (age as of December 31)
Senior swimmers: 19+ (age as of December 31)
QT = Qualifying Time
SC = Rankings or competitions in a short course pool (25m)
LC = Rankings or competitions in a long course pool (50m)
A2 = Low level aerobic work with a heart rate 40-50 bbm (beats below maximum)
Levels of competition:
Level 1 Includes level 1 open meets (England) and national age groups (individual qualifier)
Level 2 Includes level 2 open meets and level 1 meets in Wales / Scotland, plus regional age groups, (individual qualifier), county championships (individual qualifiers), National Arena League
Level 3 Includes level 3 open meets
Level 4 Includes level 4 open meets, Thames Valley Junior League Team, county championships (relay team), Witney galas
Level 5 Introductory competitions: development meets, time trials completed in training sessions
The squad criteria and movement through the squads is set by the Head & Assistant Head Coach. It is continually reviewed, and as the club progresses will be subject to change. The performance standards set are merely targets to be achieved before being considered for squad movement. Other factors will be used by the coaching staff to assess whether a swimmer is ready to move squads. These will include; perceived potential (as recognised by the relevant coaches), training ability, technical ability, positive attitude, behaviour in training, attendance record and attendance at recommended competitions (see competition plan). The club reserves the right to move swimmers between squads on the recommendation of the head and assistant head coach.
Those swimmers who currently train below the recommended number of sessions for the squad they are in will be expected to gradually increase the number of sessions to fulfil the training requirements of that squad. Please note: land training is an essential component of a swimmer’s development, and so swimmers are expected to attend these sessions where indicated. This will be monitored by the group coaches.
Swimmers may lose their place in the squad if these criteria are not met and maintained. In the event of the squad being full, swimmers who are not meeting the training requirements or criteria may be moved. Swimmers and/or parents will be involved in discussion with the coach before such measures are utilised.
The head/lead coach’s decision on whether swimmers are displaying sufficient commitment to the programme will be final.
The protocols and criteria are continually being reviewed by the lead coaches. It is expected that the criteria will evolve as the club develops. The head coach, in conjunction with the club, reserves the right to alter the criteria for this programme at any time, if deemed necessary.
In order for coaches to plan weekly programmes and balance squad training sessions, some have priority sessions (PS) which are recommended for swimmers to attend.
In addition, the group coach may direct swimmers to specific sessions in order to optimise an individual’s swimming development. For example, some swimmers may require an additional skill-based session whilst others may need more endurance development.
Progressions in the Academy Squads
For swimmers to fulfil their potential it is important that they acquire good skills before progressing through the academy. Swimmers’ skill level, session attendance, behaviour and competition attendance will be continually monitored and assessed by their group coach. The group coach will provide each swimmer with an assessment report in December/January, with a final review at the end of the season. There may be a few moves during the season between squads but these will only be for those swimmers whom the academy development coach considers ready to move, based on skill level, performance and attendance in training and competitions, and behaviour.
Exams (GCSE and A Levels)
Swimmers entering an important period of public examinations or similar circumstances and who feel that their training commitments cannot be met should negotiate such arrangements with the group coach in advance of the required period.
Please note:
All squad positions allocated in August are based on results from the previous season and are in line with the new British Swimming structural changes. After January, new places will be considered in relation to achieving county, regional or national qualifying times or rankings during the season.
Training ability for non-Academy swimmers will be monitored and assessed in training and results forwarded to the head coach. Annual percentage improvement in competition will be monitored throughout the year. In the Academy squads; the Academy development coach will monitor progress as outlined above.
All ages in this document are based on ages as of December 31st unless otherwise stated.
Definitions
Age Group swimmers: 14 years / under (age as of December 31)
Youth swimmers: 15 years / over (age as of December 31)
Senior swimmers: 19+ (age as of December 31)
QT = Qualifying Time
SC = Rankings or competitions in a short course pool (25m)
LC = Rankings or competitions in a long course pool (50m)
A2 = Low level aerobic work with a heart rate 40-50 bbm (beats below maximum)
Levels of competition:
Level 1 Includes level 1 open meets (England) and national age groups (individual qualifier)
Level 2 Includes level 2 open meets and level 1 meets in Wales / Scotland, plus regional age groups, (individual qualifier), county championships (individual qualifiers), National Arena League
Level 3 Includes level 3 open meets
Level 4 Includes level 4 open meets, Thames Valley Junior League Team, county championships (relay team), Witney galas
Level 5 Introductory competitions: development meets, time trials completed in training sessions