How do squad moves work?
Coaches are consistently assessing swimmers during training sessions, looking for skills that have been learned and can be demonstrated consistently.
Each squad follows structured training cycles and as swimmers progress through the programme these cycles gradually become more complex with greater volume intensity and technical demand.
Coaches consider a range of factors when assessing whether a swimmer is ready to progress to the next squad.
These include:
- Progress in training and competitions (i.e Progression from Level 4 meets, to Level 3,.. through to Nationals).
- Technical skill development
- Readiness for the next level of training taking into account both physical and emotional maturity as well as age in line with LTAD and OADF development models.
These frameworks help ensure swimmers are supported appropriately for both their current stage and long term development.
During the season there are set squad move dates where coaches formally review swimmer progress.
Development 1 to Development 6, Competitive 1 and Competitive 2 and Club Train moves are reviewed three times per year:
- July - end of season
- December - mid season break
- April - before the Easter break
Performance squad moves are reviewed seasonally at the end of the season in July.
Masters swimmers are welcomed all year round with entry offered where there is suitable space available.
Occasionally a swimmer may be moved outside of these windows if coaches feel it is the right decision for their development wellbeing or training environment.
Every swimmer is evaluated individually, as each athlete develops at their own pace. For this reason, we avoid directly comparing swimmers to one another, and we encourage parents to take the same approach.