Squad Critera
Any squad moves will be determined by the coaches when we think your child is ready to be moved. Parents and swimmers must be fully aware of squad criteria and if unable to comply with all aspects of the criteria then they won’t be able to progress.
The swimmers are continually monitored as to their overall performance attendance and attitude towards training, if this falls below the expectations of the coaching staff they will be moved to a squad more appropriate to their ability, commitment to the training and competitive programme. These movements are not done as punishments, but to have swimmers with the same standards in performance and attendance within the same group and to allow the progression of swimmers that will more benefit from that offer. Squad criteria are in place as a guide, movement is not guaranteed and the final decision will come down to the professional judgment of the coaching team. The coaching team also reserves the right to move swimmers outside of squad criteria based on their professional judgment.
Becoming a successful swimmer is a long-term process; there has never been a 10-year-old Olympic swimming champion. As a club and as a coaching team we are dedicated to long-term athlete development.
Progression within the Club
For swimmers to fulfill their potential, it is important that they acquire good skills before progressing through the club. Swimmers' skill level, session attendance, behavior and competition attendance will be continually monitored and assessed by the coaching team. There may be a few moves during the season between squads but these will only be for those swimmers who the coaches consider ready to move (based on skill levels, performance and attendance in training, competitions and behavior).
Squad Criteria
Each swimmer must arrive on time with a drinks bottle (10 minutes early)
Listen when the coach is speaking.
Good attendance and showing commitment to the training program.
Racing regularly (acception of Proficiency Squad)
Respectful to other swimmers and coaches.
Swimmer has all the kit and training aids. (If unsure please ask)
Invests in pre and post pool with enthusiasm.
Exams (GCSE, AS and A Levels)
Swimmers entering an important period of examinations, or face other circumstances that dictate that their training commitments cannot be met should discuss their plans with the Head Coach or Lead Coach.
Competition Calendar
A competition calendar is produced every year. This is a list of swimming competitions that Carmarthen will be attending. Some competitions will be for the whole squad. Attendance at these competitions is expected. Other competitions are for selected swimmers only. The Head Coach makes these selections. Different swimmers have different competition requirements and only those swimmers that are selected are eligible to attend these meets. Certain meets are for all swimmers that qualify. These meets are the target meets for the season and are the Welsh and British National Competitions. It is expected that all swimmers that qualify, or are selected for relays, will attend. Carmarthen swimmers may be chosen to represent Nofio Sir Gar in the National Arena Swimming league and are expected to attend. This has three rounds in the autumn and a final in the spring. Swimmers are all expected to make themselves available for selection and to attend if selected. Any queries regarding meet attendance and selection should be directed to the Coach. Carmarthen Swimming Club does not want swimmers to compete outside the program. If a swimmer does want to attend a meet outside the program, this must be discussed with the head coach.
At swimming competitions, swimmers are expected to arrive in team kit, wear team kit on poolside and race in a CDSC hat. They should arrive at the venue half an hour before their scheduled warm up and check in with the team manager and then start their pre-pool. Swimmers are expected to warm up in their training suit and change into their race suit after warm up, in plenty of time for their race. They should know when they are racing and what races they are doing and take responsibility for getting themselves ready. They should, however, not leave poolside at any time without notifying the team manager. Swimmers are expected to individually talk with the head coach both immediately prior to and after their race. When they go to marshaling for their races they are expected to wear warm clothes (and footwear) over their race suit. Warm muscles perform better and are less likely to get injured. It is a good idea for swimmers to take a spare hat and spare goggles to marshaling in case of last minute breakages.
Swimmers will ideally have two race suits for competitions. It is useful ( but not essential) to have a fresh race suit for sessions later in the day. However, it is essential to have a second race suit in case your primary race suit rips. This happens way more often than you might imagine.
At swimming competitions swimmers are expected to bring enough food and drinks with them to last all sessions. This must all be with the swimmer, not with the parent. There is usually no opportunity for food or drink to be purchased. Swimmers must sit with the team and not with their parents. Parents are encouraged to attend as spectators but parents must sit in the spectator area and not sit with the team. Swimmers are not expected to be visiting their parents in the spectator area until their racing , plus their cool down etc has finished and they have permission from the team manager.
Kit Needed
| Squad> Kit | Skills 1 | Skills 2 | Skills 3 | Proficiency 1 & 2 | Comp 1 | Comp 2 | Comp 3 |
| Training suit | y | y | y | y | y | y | y |
| Goggles | y | y | y | y | y | y | y |
| Hat (plus spare) | y | y | y | y | y | y | y |
| Water Bottle (Full) | y | y | y | y | y | y | y |
| Fins | y | y | y | y | y | y | y |
| Snorkel | y | y | y | y | y | y | y |
| Pull Buoy | y | y | y | y | y | y | y |
| Float | y | y | y | y | y | y | y |
| Hand Paddles | y | y | y | ||||
| Foam Roller | y | y | y |
Skills Squad 1:
Squad Description
To understand swimming as a competitive sport and to build aquatic fitness. To increase skill level and continue on the pathway of learning to swim, alongside and incorporating the competitive rules according to World Aquatics, learning the technical elements such as race starts, turns and finishes.
Entry requirements:
- Must have a strong Front Crawl and Backstroke kick in streamline
- Able to do Breaststroke to a good level
- Able to do Butterfly to a good level
- Can swim 100m continuously
- Most of these should fall in line with a strong wave 6 swimmer.
Squad Expectations:
- Racing whenever the opportunities present
- On time for all sessions (10 minutes early)
- Swimmer has all the kit and training aids
- Willing to listen and learn
Move considerations/Squad goals:
- Showing signs of increasing fitness
- Able to do ALL correct turns, legally (according to World Aquatics rules)
- Diving from starting blocks
- Good attendance to the program and keen to progress upwards in the Club; showing aspiration
- Strong Front Crawl and Backstroke kick
Skills Squad 2:
Squad Description: A squad to support the longevity of swimming and support the development of those late out of LTS programmes that enjoy swimming and wish to progress further.
Squad Objective: Understand the demands of swimming as a sporting activity and build fitness. To enjoy swimming and learn to use it as a fitness skill.
Entry requirements:
Must have a strong Front Crawl and Backstroke kick in streamline
- Able to do Breaststroke to a good level
- Able to do Butterfly to a good level
- Can swim 100m continuously
- Most of these should fall in line with a strong wave 6 swimmer.
Squad Expectations:
- On time for all sessions (10 minutes early)
- Swimmer has all the kit and training aids
- Willing to listen and learn
Squad goals:
- Showing signs of increasing fitness
- Diving from starting blocks
- Good attendance to the program and keen to progress upwards in the club
- Strong Front Crawl and Backstroke kick
- Feel confident and comfortable in the water
Move Consideration/Squad Goals: Good fitness development – showing strong endurance potential
- Committed to improving and aspiring to advance
- Racing and being competitive
- Good attendance and showing commitment to the training program to be adequately prepared when moving up
- Respectful
Skills Squad 3:
Squad Description:
To progress swimmers in racing, and to build fitness towards their ability to train and understand the demands of the sport
Squad Objective:
To learn the key training components; using the clock for intervals, understanding drills and skill points, understanding how to interpret and complete a set, understanding lane etiquette and building speed for race-specific targets. Ensuring that all strokes and skill points are correct according to the World Aquatics standards.
Entry requirements:
- A suitable level of fitness and ability to sustain skills to the level of the coaches’ description (2-3 underwater kicks off every wall)
- Can swim multiple 100m reps back-to-back
- Confident in a racing environment and competent on all turns
- Diving from blocks confidently
Squad Expectations:
- Racing whenever the opportunities present
- On time for all sessions (10 minutes early)
- Swimmer has all the kit and training aids
- Willing to listen and learn
Move considerations/Squad goals:
- Good fitness development – showing strong endurance potential
- Committed to improving and aspiring to advance
- Racing and being competitive
- Good attendance and showing commitment to the training program to be adequately prepared when moving up
- Respectful
Proficiency Squad 1 & 2:
Squad Description:
Swimmers should be competent with their competitive skills and enjoy the journey and process.
Squad Objective:
The focus being on enjoying the journey and engaging in an atmosphere much more heavily led by the young person, leading the conversation around their goals and understanding the transparency of what is required of themselves to engage in positive performance around other ambitions. These maturing, young adults are to take responsibility and ownership over their swimming.
Squad Expectations:
- Racing regularly is not essential
- Effective and honest communication with coaching team, regularly updating on any changes/movements in timetables and commitments that may be coming up and foreseeing issues
- On time for all sessions to be able to effectively execute the pre-pool routine in order to be well prepared for the training session ahead
- Swimmer has all the kit and training aids
- Willing to listen and learn; keen to develop and progress – competitive mindset
- Invests in pre and post pool with vigor and key understanding of the benefits
- Athletically sound; good mover on land, excellent coordination skills, mobile with a good range of movement
- Respect for team-mates and coaches. Understanding that there is ambition within the group and to celebrate performances in training and racing working towards achieving individual goals.
Competitive Squad 1,2 & 3
Squad Description:
An environment created to support the most ambitious of young people to begin to fulfill their potential.
Squad Objective:
To begin understanding the performance environment. Swimmers exhibiting performance behaviors, principally dedication and commitment to the training program with a keen focus towards progression and excellence.
Squad Expectations:
- Racing regularly and present at all National Championship meets and ambitions of British Summer Championship qualification
- On time for all sessions to be able to effectively execute the pre-pool routine in order to be well prepared for the training session ahead
- Swimmer has all the kit and training aids
- Keen to explore new ideas for growth in the pursuit of excellence and an approach driven by improvement. Coachable
- Great support network of Family and Friends
- Able to distinguish short- and long-term gain; not chasing instant gratification at the risk of compromising long term development and success
- Clear direction and working towards clear goals and objectives
- Invests in pre and post pool with enthusiasm A
- Athletically sound; good mover on land, excellent coordination skills, mobile with a good range of movement
- Excellent commitment to the training programme – 80% minimum attendance to all training
- Understands the process and requirements of meeting goals and ambitions within the sport and prepared to give what is essential in meeting those
- Prepared to invest and support others in their journeys and to remain positive surrounding their development
- Great team-mate. Supportive and understanding of the importance of team support and the greater value of succeeding together
All moves in and out of the squad are at the discretion of the Squad Coach and Head Coach with the consideration of the individual at the forefront of the decision