Squad Criteria
Bletchley & District is a competitive swimming club and all swimmers are expected to train with a view to compete in events suitable for their age and ability. This means if swimmers attain the required qualifying times, they should enter the County and Regional Championships and Open Meets suggested by the Squad Coach, and if selected, to represent the Club in Relays, Team and League events. All swimmers are expected to demonstrate a good attitude to training by arriving on poolside in plenty of time, ensuring they have the correct equipment including water bottles, entering the water promptly, warming up, swimming down properly and following the instructions of the coach.
The criteria below are for guidance only and provide an overview of typical entry standards for each squad. Decisions on entry into the club or moves to a new squad are made by the coaching team, with reference to the criteria and taking into account other factors as listed below (but not limited to these).
- Ability to cope with the training needs of the new squad
- Space available in the relevant squad.
- Swimmer’s development (chronological age, physical & mental development)
- Behaviour and effort during training.
- Club age profile and gender demographics
Squad moves will take place 2 to 3 times a year and, whilst not impossible, it would be unusual for a swimmer to move more than once within a 6-month period. As swimmers leave to go to university or work in September this is likely to create opportunities for more moves at that time. Moves from a Senior squad to another Senior squad or from Senior to Masters may take place at any time.
We include the recommended number of sessions swimmers should be working towards. Please take the time to communicate with your squad coach in regard to any other sports or activities you take part in that may affect your attendance. We encourage a wide range of activities particularly at a younger age and this can help aid your physical development; letting us know your commitments can help us understand your time commitments and support you further. Where a swimmer is unable to attend due to injury, illness, family holidays, school trips and other exceptions please ensure you also take the time to communicate this to your squad coach.
New Joiners
Swimmers from outside the club wishing to join Junior Development, Junior Age Group or Senior squads would normally be expected to be already established as competitive swimmers. Similarly, swimmers wishing to join the Masters’ squads should be already competing in events or demonstrate that they wish to do so.
For the Academy and Junior Transition Squads: Swimmers will be offered a trial in which the coach will assess fundamental movement and sports skills against the Swim England Learn to Swim Stages. If offered a trial swimmers are advised not to cancel their swim lessons as it may be a condition of joining that they carry on with lessons or the coaching team advise them to carry on and come back for another trial after they have developed further.
Criteria for each Squad
Academy Squad
Academy Squad Stages 1, 2, and 3
Recommended attendance: 1 session per week; swimmers are also expected to continue with their lessons to continue with their skill development alongside their club session.
Typically Stage 6+ of SE Learn to Swim Pathway or its equivalent
Typical Age: 8-12 years (age at 31st December of competitive season)
Academy Squad Stages 4, 5, and 6
Recommended attendance: At least 1 session per week.
Typically Stage 7+ of SE Learn to Swim Pathway or its equivalent
Typical Age: 8-12 years (age at 31st December of competitive season)
Competitions may include Club Championships, Internal Club events, selected Development Open Meets.
Junior Squad
Junior Transition 1 and 2
Recommended attendance: At least 2 sessions per week.
Typically Stage 8+ of SE Learn to Swim Pathway or its equivalent
Typical Age: 9-12 years (age at 31st December of competitive season)
Demonstrate quality streamline and correct underwater phases for all 4 strokes.
Swim a minimum of 50m of 3 strokes and 25m of a 4th
Swim 200m continuously with correct turns.
Follow instructions and maintain focus during sessions.
Show positive attitude to learning and demonstrate coachability.
Competitions may include League galas, Club Championships, Internal Club events, selected Open Meets and County Championships (if QT achieved).
Junior County Development 1, and 2
Recommended attendance: At least 2 sessions per week.
Typical Age: 9-12 years (age at 31st December of competitive season)
Demonstrate quality streamline and correct underwater phases for all 4 strokes throughout training and competitions.
Swim a minimum of 200m of 3 strokes and 100m of a 4th
Swim 400m continuously efficiently.
Follow instructions and maintain focus during sessions.
Show positive attitude to learning and demonstrate coachability.
Competitions may include League galas, Club Championships, Internal Club events, selected Open Meets and County Championships (if QT achieved).
Junior County Age Group
Recommended attendance: At least 2 sessions per week.
Typical Age: 10-13 years (age at 31st December of competitive season)
Demonstrate strong technique in all four strokes throughout training and racing.
Show consistent streamlining, legal turns, and underwater phases.
Swim a minimum of 400m Freestyle and IM, 200m of 3 strokes and building towards 200m of a 4th with correct turns.
Maintain focus throughout training sets and apply feedback effectively.
Demonstrate increasing endurance with continuous swims of 400m or more.
Begin to understand pacing, stroke count, and race strategies.
Demonstrate ownership of performance and commitment to squad culture.
Competitions may include Club Championships, Open Meets (Level 3/4), County Championships (if qualifying times achieved), League Galas, and internal club events.
Senior Squad
Senior County Development and Senior County Age Group
Recommended Attendance: At least 3 sessions per week.
Typical Age: 12-15 years (age at 31st December of competitive season)
Demonstrate legal, efficient technique across all four strokes
Maintain streamline, underwater work, and legal turns across longer reps
Execute tactical race plans and understand basic stroke rate/pacing principles
Show consistency and engagement in training across a variety of set types
Be able to swim distances of 800m+ continuously with purpose
Demonstrate leadership, maturity, and support for teammates
Implement feedback and take ownership of technical improvement
Competitions may include Club Championships, Open Meets (Levels 3 and 2), County Championships (target standard), League Galas, and internal club events, team galas and relays (if selected).
Regional Age Group
Recommended Attendance: At least 3 sessions per week.
Typical Age: 14+ years (age at 31st December of competitive season)
Within ~5% of Regional qualifying standards in at least one event (discretion will be used where only 50m to overall suitability)
Maintain excellent technique under race pace pressure
Execute detailed race plans (pace control, stroke counts, breathing patterns)
Display a high level of focus, responsibility, and accountability
Lead by example in training — high attendance, strong work ethic
Maintain high skill quality in starts, underwater phases, and transitions
Work with coaches on individual event strategy and development
Competitions may include, Club Championships, Open Meets (Levels 1–3), County and Regional Championships, League Galas, internal club events, team galas and relays, and performance-focused team galas (if selected).
Masters Squad
Masters’ Competitive
Recommended Attendance: At least 2/3 sessions per week.
Age: 18+ years
Swim all four strokes with competence and confidence
Train at a consistent pace
Follow structured sets and contribute positively to the training group
Maintain technical quality and effort levels regardless of training goals
Self-motivate and integrate feedback to maintain skill level
Competitions may include, Club Championships, Masters Meets or Open Meets.
