Squads
· Skills
These sessions are for our newest swimmers but will include some existing squad members from last year. They concentrate on developing fundamental movement skills that in time develop into more formally recognisable swimming skills. Skills development in these sessions are well structured, positive and fun. There are two skills sessions per week totalling 2.25 hours. The focus is the achievement of Swim Ireland skills certificates and the older children will be prepared for competition in Aquasprint and Open galas.
Long-term Athlete Development Pathway (LTAD) stages: Fundamentals and Swim Skills.
· Juniors
The Junior squad. It can include existing squad members from last year and swimmers should have achieved Swim Ireland Silver or Bronze skills certificates. This is one of the most important periods of motor development and the Juniors train for three 1-hour sessions per week. Their club competition focus is Aquasprint galas (25 metre races) but there may also be opportunities to swim in the Provincial Towns League and other Open galas, locally and province-wide.
LTAD stage: Swim Skills.
· Age Group 2
This group is a step up from Juniors where swimmers train for 3.5 hours per week and by now should be developing into proficient swimmers; this is a vital phase of their motor development. These swimmers will be building technique and eradicating flaws in all four strokes whilst refining their starts and turns and developing a feel for the water. Age Group 2 swimmers will still be able to enter Aquasprint galas and will be being steered towards Provincial Towns League and Open galas.
LTAD stage: Swim Skills
· Senior 2 / Senior 3
Senior 2/3 are for those would like to either just swim for enjoyment and fitness or if they wish, enter competitions. They may not have attained a Swim Ireland/Swim Ulster competition qualifying standard though. Senior 2 have 4.25 hours allocated to them per week; Senior 3 have 2.5 but both squads are eligible to attend early morning sessions if they wish to increase their swimming time. They have a focus on refining skills in all four strokes, building an aerobic base and developing speed. Swimmers will be encouraged to take part in Provincial Towns League and Open galas which take place throughout the season and in the latter, be selective in entering the events to which they are most suited. The youngest swimmers may also be eligible for Aquasprint and the most capable will be working towards a position in Age Group 1.
LTAD stage: Swim Skills/Training to Train/Retention
· Age Group 1
This squad is made of promising swimmers below the age of 15 who are eligible for the Irish National Age Group championships that season. They are just one step away from the Seniors and their training will be aligned with them at times. Age Group 1 make a commitment to train five sessions per week, including some 6.30am starts, for a total of 6.75 hours of pool time. The youngest in Age Group 1 may still be able to enter Aquasprint galas and all will be being steered towards Provincial Towns League and Open galas. Additionally the strongest swimmers may be able to swim in Ulster and Irish Age Group championships if they can attain a sufficiently quick qualifying time in one or more strokes. Although swimmers will continue to train for all four strokes, it will be starting to become clear where particular strengths lie.
LTAD stage: Training to Train/ Swim Skills
· Senior 1
The swimmers in this squad make a commitment to train five sessions per week, including some 6.30am starts, for a total of 6.75 hours of pool time. The need for stroke refinement by this stage should be much reduced and the training focus is on optimising the engine: developing speed, endurance and as the swimmer matures, strength. Anaerobic development will become increasingly important and training cycles will be geared towards ensuring the swimmer can be at the peak of their performance at the right time. Swimmers will be eligible for Senior 1 if they achieved a qualification or consideration time for either international or national galas or for regional championships in the previous season. Additionally a swimmer may remain in Senior 1 if they do not meet the aforementioned criteria but swam with this squad in the previous season. Further places may be offered at the coaches’ discretion if space is available. Swimmers will be eligible for Provincial Towns League and Open galas, which may include provincial or national age-group competition in both short (25 metre) or long (50 metre) course pools. These are the top swimmers in the club and their training requirements and the standards expected of them reflect that.
LTAD stage: Training to Train/Training to Compete and Training to Win (Females over 16/Males over 18)
