STRUCTURE

CRITERIA FOR SQUAD SELECTION

	Our "Mission" Statement is: To provide an environment where individuals who show potential, have an opportunity to develop their talent to the highest level possible in their pursuit of excellence as a competitive swimmer. Our bench-mark of excellence is: The gaining of International & National Medals

	Squad Structure

The current framework for our squad structure is based on bringing together youngsters in the same age to train and develop as a squad to prepare and compete at the following years National Age Group Championships. With changes to the NAG Championships based on age on day of competition, we have had to make some changes to our squad structure to maintain our framework. The squad structure is as follows:

	Performance Development Competitive Development Skill Development P 11/12     P 13/14 B Squad Junior Development Squad P 15+ A Squad   PERFORMANCE COMPETITION SKILL

	Squad Selection

Commitment:
The most important criteria for squad selection is "commitment" to training. This is measured by the number of hours spent each week training in the pool. It includes both the hours you spend with the local Authority training programme and the hours you spend training with your own club. Below is listed our recommendations.

	RECOMMENDED HOURS PER WEEK POOL TRAINING

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	Age in Years Club County ASANWR National Level Boys World Class. Girls World Class 11 years 3 6 8 11 12 14 12 years 4 7 9 12 14 16 13 years 5 8 11 13 16 18 14 years 5 9 13 14 17 19 15 years 6 10 14 16 18 20 16 years 6 10 14 17 18 20 17 years 6 10 14 17 18 20 18+ years 6 10 14 17 18 20

Note:
·The recommended number of hours required increases as you get older and as the level of competition you aspire to gets higher.
·As you aspire to higher levels of competition, early morning training becomes necessary to achieve what is required.
·These recommendations are "minimum standards" and if you really want to reach the top, a higher level of commitment will often be necessary.

A record of the number of hours spent each week training in the pool will be kept by the squad coach and this will be reviewed on a regular basis by the Chief Coach.

The following guidelines will be used for squad selection:

	Squads Level of Commitment Skill Development Groups Club Level Competitive Development Squad ASA Northwest Region Level Performance Squads National Level and above

	Squad Entry Times

Squad entry and progress times have been produced. They are based around the National Qualifying standards for a 25m pool. These times are primarily to give the swimmers a target to achieve each year. They are an estimation of the level of performance that would be required to cope with the training and fit into the goals of the squad. They are used, however, as a guide only for squad selection. Far more important is the swimmers level of commitment to training.

A swimmer who may not have achieved these times but who is prepared to commit themselves to the programme will be looked at favourably for squad promotion. It is reasonable to assume that for a swimmer to "catch-up", they require extra training to reach the required standard set down in these guidelines. If a swimmer is prepared to make this commitment, then they deserve to be given a chance.

You will notice that the squad entry times for the 11 and 12 years are based around 200m events and longer. This is deliberate as we feel that our younger swimmers should be encouraged to perform such events. Furthermore, this gives a better indication of training ability for our younger swimmers.

A number of other criteria will also be taken into consideration including:

	TRAINING ·         Quality of effort in the pool. ·         Quality of effort in the gym (if relevant) ·         Quality of a log book (if relevant) ATTITUDE ·         Level of concentration ·         Level of motivation ·         Willingness to take instruction and learn ·         Level of self discipline and self motivation ·         Commitment and support of team goals and values TALENT ·         Have the physical and technical ability to perform at the right level. RACING ·         Competitiveness/confidence when racing ·         Preparation (warm-up) / mental focus before a race ·         Ability to control anxiety during competition DESIRE ·         Overall have the real desire to "want" to achieve at the highest level ·         Willingness to compete regularly at the right level

Two other situations will be at the discretion of the Chief Coach:

	Fast Track

If a swimmer shows exceptional ability and is prepared to make the commitment to the training required, a swimmer may be promoted to the next level early. This invitation will be at the Chief Coaches discretion and his word will be final.

	Delayed Entry

If it considered in the best interest of the swimmer, entry into the next squad may be delayed until January in order for them to either demonstrate an increased commitment of for personal best times to improve to the level required. This invitation will be at the Chief Coaches discretion and his word will be final.

 

	Go to PERFORMANCE Squads Go to COMPETITION Squads Go to SKILL Groups

	CLUB POLICIES

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