Academy Squads (A1, A2, A3)

The Academy squads at CoCSC serve as the foundational stage where most swimmers begin their competitive swimming careers. This is the critical section of the club dedicated to the fundamental development of skills and techniques essential for long-term success in the sport. Academy squads will be targeted at 9-12yrs. 

Focus and Objectives: 

In the Academy squads, the primary focus is on teaching and refining the fundamental skills of swimming. Our goal is to ensure that every swimmer has the platform to build a strong technical foundation, which they can build upon as they progress through the club. The emphasis is on mastering the basics, including stroke techniques on all 4 strokes, starts, turns, and finishes, to provide a solid platform for future development.

Skill Development:

The Academy squads are designed to help swimmers improve their skills through structured training sessions that emphasise technique and efficiency in all four competitive strokes. Coaches work closely with each swimmer to provide individualised feedback and guidance, ensuring that they develop the necessary skills to reach their full potential.

Progression and Development: 

As swimmers advance through the Academy squads, they will be equipped with the essential skills needed to progress to higher levels within the club. Our coaching team is committed to offering each swimmer the opportunity to develop their abilities and prepare for more advanced training in the Academy, Competitive and Performance Squads.

Competitive Opportunities: 

While the primary focus is on skill development, Academy squad swimmers are also introduced to competitive swimming at Level 3 AND Level 2 meets. Participating in club-organised competitions, such as the CoCSC Club Championships, Mini Meets and Open Meets to provide valuable experience and help swimmer set and achieve progression and personal goals.

Key Points

  • Introduction to Competitive Swimming: The Academy squads are where most swimmers start their competitive swimming careers.
  • Fundamental Skill Development: Emphasis on teaching and improving fundamental skills and techniques.
  • Strong Technical Foundation: Ensuring swimmers have a solid technical base to build upon.
  • Individual Potential: Offering each swimmer the opportunity to develop skills to reach their full potential.
  • Progression: Preparing swimmers for advancement to Age Group and Senior swimming levels.
  • Competitive Experience: Introducing swimmers to competitive swimming through club-organized competitions.

By focusing on these core areas, the Academy squads at CoCSC aim to provide a supportive and effective environment for young swimmers to begin their journey in competitive swimming, ensuring they have the skills and confidence to progress through the club and achieve their individual goals.

 

Academy 3

Academy 3 swimmers should already have a basic understanding of all four legal strokes and be looking to develop their legal competitive starts and turns, performing these consistently in training and racing. The main focus will be on continuing to develop excellent skills, technique, and body position.

Swimmers at this level should be competing in the Mini Meet series, Club Championships & Club Open Meets in all strokes.

Academy 2

Academy 2 swimmers are required to have a solid understanding of all four legal strokes and should consistently perform legal competitive starts and turn skills. The primary focus for these swimmers will be the continual development of their technique and body position, consistently demonstrating these skills in training. Aerobic development will also be introduced at this stage. 

All swimmers should be competing in the Mini Meet series and Club Championships. Additionally, swimmers at this level should aim to qualify for and compete in Level 3 and Level 4 swim meets, including selected team meets/galas as advised by the coaching team. This competitive experience is crucial for practising skills and techniques in a race setting.

Academy 1

This is the top level of the CoCSC Academy Programme. Swimmers will be competing at Level 2, Level 3, and Level 4 swim meets, including the Mini Meet series, Club Championships, County Championships, and any selected team meets/galas.

Swimmers will have a strong understanding of all four strokes, skills, and turns, including the Individual Medley. The focus will remain on the continual development and improvement of individual skills and techniques to achieve a competitive standard. The amount and frequency of aerobic development will increase at this stage.

All swimmers within the Academy squad structure will be between the ages of 9 and 12 years. Progression from the Academy to either the  Performance or Competitive Squads will be based on a collection of attributes such as skill, performance, technique, enthusiasm to progress through the structure and develop competitively long-term, attendance at training sessions, behaviour, and 100 and 200 IM times swum at time trials.

Swimmers from this squad may be offered an opportunity to move into either the the CoCSC Performance or Competitive squads. Progression through all Academy squads will be at the discretion of the squad coach and in agreement with the Assistant Coach.

 

Academy Skills List