SQUAD STRUCTURE
INTRODUCTION
Competitive swimming is a tough sport requiring many hours of dedication in order to maximise any swimmers potential. Natural talent in any sport will only take you so far, it needs to be coupled with hard work to really achieve great things. This also includes attendance and commitment at training sessions.
Parents have a realy vital role to play in supporting athletes in many ways, especially when it comes to ferrying them backwards and forwards to training. Some squads do require swimmers to attend a minimum number of training sessions a week therefore it's important that parents can commit to bringing swimmers to these squad sessions, as well as the swimmers.
Southport Swimming Club do not offer 'Learn to Swim Lessons' but welcome confident swimmers to progress and develop based on their ability and ambitions.
Southport Swimming Club swimmers train within a tiered squad structure:
- Juniors
- C Squad
- B Squad
- A Squad
- Senior
- Masters
JUNIORS
This is the starting point on the competitive swimming ladder for many children. We welcome swimmers from the age of 7 years who can swim 50 metres of backstroke, breastsroke and front-crawl. Here the emphasis is on technique, including competitive starts and turns.
C SQUAD
Our C Squad is aimed at young swimmers with the potential and desire to compete at club, local and open swimming galas. This may also include competing at the North West Micro League on behalf of Southport Swimming Club Team. C Squad swimmers are required to attend a minimum of 5 training sessions per week.
B SQUAD
Our B Squad is aimed at swimmers 10 years and above who are aiming to swim at County and Regional levels. The focus is on helping swimmers to achieve their potential and personal goals. Training includes attending morning sessions throughout the week. B Squad swimmers are expected to attend a minimum of 6 training sessions per week.
A SQUAD
Our A Squad is aimed at older competitive swimmers who are competing at Regional and National levels. A Squad swimmers are expected to attend a minimum of 7 training sessions per week. Swimmers are also expected to attend regular land training and gym sessions in addition to their pool time.
SENIORS
Our Senior Squad is aimed at swimmers 12 years and above who may not wish to compete at a high level anymore but still wish to develop their swimming ability and endurance in a structured way.
MASTERS
Our Masters is aimed at swimmers 18 years and above who wish to continue swimming in a structured manner. Some of our Masters are Competitive, some Open Water swimmers, some Triathlon Athletes and others attend just to improve their swimming or simply to keep fit.
