Club Swimming

The club promotes the policy that where space is available each child will have the opportunity to learn to swim. We will provide water time and training sessions to suit a wide range of members needs. To ensure that members who only attend infrequently and are not of a competitive nature, who enjoy swimming as part of a healthy life style a club swimming sessions will be introduced.

Training will be designed to promote a healthy life, but will incorporate competitive awareness and skills elements. The A.S.A distance badge scheme will be in place to give swimmers the opportunity to achieve an accolade and promote a sense of pride. 

Entry into this group is open and there are no criteria for progression into the training squads, although any swimmer showing commitment and good skills awareness may be asked to joint one of the training squads. A trial period would need to be undertaken, after which a decision will be made by the squad coach.

Development  Squad

This Development group is the link group between the FUNdamental stage (swimming lessons) and training it forms the backbone of skills development needed to achieve a higher level.

The aim of the squad is to achieve a level of skill, which is transferable and will enable swimmers to progress into a competitive training group.

Swimmers in this squad will have to show commitment and meet the following criteria:-

• Have achieved NTPS level 8

• Perform the four strokes showing effective technique on butterfly 
• Perform a forward and backward roll in the tuck position.
• To be able to push and glide in the prone and supine position for 5m
• Dive in deep water from starting blocks or poolside
• An understanding of pool safety
• Attend the recommended number of training sessions
• Age acceptance 8years plus

This group represents the clubs intermediate development squad and swimmers will work in a training environment aimed at developing basic technical skills as well as introduction to competition in the following competitions: -

• Graded meets
• Club gala’s

The aim of the squad is to achieve a level of performance which will enable them to progress to the next level.

Swimmers in this squad will have to show commitment and meet the following criteria: -

• To have achieved a standard of training acceptable in this squad.

• To show determination and commitment during training sessions
• Attend the recommended number of training sessions
• Commitment to club gala’s and swim meets
• Age acceptance 9years plus

This group represents the clubs top development squad and will train to compete in the following competitions: -

• Open meets.
• North Midlands.
• County Championships
• Northern County Sprints

The aim of the squad is to achieve a level of performance, which will enable them to compete in the above events.

Swimmers in this squad will have to show commitment and meet the following criteria: -

• To have achieved a standard of training acceptable in this squad.

• To show determination and commitment during training sessions
• Attend the recommended number of training sessions
• Commitment to club gala’s and swim meets
• Age acceptance 11years plus

As swimmers move through the group the training objectives is to progressively extend the volume of training whilst maintaining efficient and effective swimming technique over greater loads. Prepare the swimmers with the relevant skills to enable them to achieve inclusion into the performance squad.

Performance Squad

This squad represents the clubs top squad and will train to compete in the following competitions: -

• Open meets. (Designated Meets)
• North Midlands. (Selected swimmers)
• County Championships
• District Championships (Sprints, Short & long-course Championships)

The aim of the squad is to achieve a level of performance, which will enable them to compete in the above events. This may be achieved with the options of extra training within the club, as well as attendance at the Vale Royal Performance squad.

Swimmers in this squad will have to show commitment and meet the following criteria: -

• Be a member of the Vale Royal performance squad

• To show determination and commitment during training sessions
• Attend the recommended number of training sessions .
• Commitment to club gala’s and swim meets
• Age acceptance 12 years plus

The programme will enable the swimmers to learn the fundamentals of training aimed at their individual needs. It will include knowledge of the following principles: -

Warm and swim down, how and when to stretch, nutrition and hydration, mental preparation as well as pre and post competition routines.