Squad

Current updates

  • The outdoor pools at Maitland Aquatics Centre, and East Maitland Aquatics Centre, have now closed for the winter season. There are still plenty of ways to keep fit and have fun in the water throughout the colder months, with our indoor, heated pool at Maitland Aquatics Centre open daily for lap swimming, aqua fitness classes, learn to swim lessons, and so much more. 

  • A mechanical failure is currently impacting our mobility hoist at the indoor pool at Maitland Aquatics Centre. We are currently awaiting repairs for the machine and will inform the community when this access has been restored. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause and thank you for your patience while we resolve this issue.

Squad is a training program that prepares swimmers for competition at all levels or for those just wanting to maintain fitness.

Competitive swimmers have the opportunity to compete at local, regional, state and national events. Each grade within the program caters for different skills, fitness and goals. For those wanting to maintain aquatic fitness without competition there is a fitness pathway to assist swimmers meet goals in the areas of triathlons, masters, or general fitness.

Two professional squad coaches facilitate the program and assist swimmers to navigate through the program pathway. Admission into squad is by assessment, with further details below.

Bookings are essential.

Squad member login

 

STRUCTURE
Development

Offers a bridging standard between the final competencies of LTS and Bronze Squad. Minimum standards require swimmers to demonstrated excellent freestyle and backstroke and maintain a good pace without compromising technique. A propulsive breaststroke kick and an understanding of breaststroke pull, as well as the ability to butterfly kick well is crucial. Streamlines should be perfect and flip turns should be executed on request.

One hour sessions in groups of approximately ten directed by a single coach on deck. Usually 1500m per session. It is expected that swimmers attend three sessions per week. Ideal ages would be 6-8 but there is no bar to later developing swimmers entering. Swimmers are exposed to more formal requirements of group swimming, being more independent and responsible for their own performance and habits. Swimmers are encouraged to join a swimming club and begin to compete. Squad coaches can support swimmers by linking them to higher levels of competition and beginning to establish links between success at this level and achieving more highly in the sport. 

MONTUEWEDTHURFRISAT
7:00am - 8:00am

7:00am - 8:00am

7:00am - 8:00am

7:00am - 8:00am

7:00am - 8:00am

7:00am - 8:00am

4:00pm - 5:00pm

4:00pm - 5:00pm

4:00pm - 5:00pm

4:00pm - 5:00pm

 

 

Parents and students (over 12yrs) are required to wear face masks in the indoor area. Please adhere to the NSW Government Social Distancing Regulations.

SQUAD ASSESSMENTS: Saturday 7.30am. Bookings essential. Maximum five per session.

Bronze

This is the first level of squad proper. Swimmers will need to be able to swim about 2:15 pace for each 100m of freestyle, with immaculate backstroke technique. All butterfly and breaststroke components are of high quality and continuing to improve. All turns, including medley switches, are being perfected. The ideal age for swimmers in this group is 8-11, but progression is skill dependent.

It is expected that swimmers attend four sessions per week. It is not uncommon for teens to participate and be challenged. Sessions are one hour in duration and typically span 2500m. Swimming coaches will seek to develop all strokes and skills without preference to one or another - the aim is to produce well-rounded swimmers with the best variety of skills for future development. Swimmers should be involved in a swimming club and may be capable of representing their club at regional level competition if they can achieve the necessary qualifying time. 

MONTUEWEDTHUR FRISAT
7:00am - 8:00am

7:00am - 8:00am

7:00am - 8:00am

7:00am - 8:00am

 

7:00am - 8:00am

7:00am - 8:00am

4:00pm - 5:00pm

4:00pm - 5:00pm

4:00pm - 5:00pm

4:00pm - 5:00pm

 

 

 

Parents and students (over 12yrs) are required to wear face masks in the indoor area.Please adhere to the NSW Government Social Distancing Regulations.

SQUAD ASSESSMENTS: Saturday 7.30am. Bookings essential. Maximum five per session.

Silver

Much more challenging than Bronze Squad - swimmers will typically swim freestyle at about 1:40 100 Free Pace on entry and 1:25 prior to entering Gold. Ages from 10-15. Swimmers are seeking to become consummate performers of all strokes and skills, eliminating weaknesses. Volume of each 90 minute session is 4500-5000m.

It is expected that swimmers attend 5-6 sessions per week. Coaches will emphasise the importance of physiological conditioning to meet the demands of improvement and discuss goal setting to guide development. Swimmers will be capable of swimming multiple events at representative level, including some Country and State qualifications.

MONTUEWEDTHURFRISAT
5:00am - 6:30am

5:00am - 6:30am

5:00am - 6:30am

5:00am - 6:30am

5:00am - 6:30am

5:00am - 6:30am

5:00pm - 6:30pm

5:00pm - 6:30pm

5:00pm - 6:30pm

5:00pm - 6:30pm

5:00pm - 6:30pm

 

Parents and students (over 12yrs) are required to wear face masks in the indoor area. Please adhere to the NSW Government Social Distancing Regulations.

SQUAD ASSESSMENTS: Saturday 7.30am. Bookings essential. Maximum five per session.

Gold

The highest standard of training offered - swimmers are typically aged between 14 and 20.

This training group houses swimmers capable of competing at a State, National and Olympic Trial level. The training sessions are 2 hours in duration and can range in distance from 6500m - 8000m depending on the season training planner.

Swimmers may begin to specialise in certain events but are nonetheless trained as medley swimmers. The expectation is that skills are performed perfectly, swimmers are independent and serious in their approach.

Swimmers will typically attend 6-10 sessions in this group. This squad develops the most successful swimmers in our region.

MONTUEWEDTHURFRISAT
5:00am - 7:00am

5:00am - 7:00am

5:00am - 7:00am

5:00am - 7:00am

5:00am - 7:00am

5:00am - 7:00am

4:30pm - 6:30pm

4:30pm - 6:30pm

4:30pm - 6:30pm

4:30pm - 6:30pm

4:30pm - 6:30pm

 

Parents and students (over 12yrs) are required to wear face masks in the indoor area.

Please adhere to the NSW Government Social Distancing Regulations.

SQUAD ASSESSMENTS: Saturday 7.30am. Bookings essential. Maximum five per session.

GENERAL INFORMATION
Assessments

Assessments are by appointment on Saturday mornings at 7.30am. Participants should be prepared for the assessment to take 30 minutes. 

Swimmers must be capable of demonstrating a range of high order skills and sufficient stamina in the water to support their entry into Development Squad. 

MINIMUM ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

Standard baseline session volumes are 2km over an hour. Swimmers must demonstrate:

  • 200m continuous freestyle without signs of fatigue and good technique
  • 100m backstroke with good technique
  • Knowledge of freestyle and backstroke turns
  • Use of fly/dolphin kick
  • Propulsive breaststroke kick and pull
  • Clean racing dive

To make a booking, or for any questions, please email [email protected].

Costs

Please see below for costs for weekly direct debit costs for each program.

Squad programsPricesPrices as of July 2022*
Development-$16.00
Bronze$30.00$18.00
Silver$40.00$32.00
Gold$40.00$42.20
Fitness/Adult$21.00$23.80
Squad Family-$56.00

*Updated fees and charges for the 2022/23 financial year were adopted by Council on Tuesday 14 June. Direct debit customers will not be impacted until Friday 15 July.

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