Organization

Participation in these training squads is a privilege, not a right. It is dependent on a high
standard of behaviour and application, and is entirely at the head coach's discretion. Please
also note that ages given below are indicative only. Actual progression will depend on the
individual swimmer's physique, ability and application, and is at the discretion of the head
coach. Swimmers coming through the learn to swim programme will have completed the Level
7 8 goals before joining the squad system and registering with the Ashburton Swim Team
Squad Structure
GOLD SQUAD
This is the third level in the competitive programme with each session lasting between 1-half or
2 hours.
Swimmers are encouraged to attend (I would leave out al least)at least 9 6 sessions per
week. plus Gym.
Swimmers should be at the pool to perform dry land warmup 20 minutes before session.
SILVER SQUAD
This is the second level in the competitive Programme with each session lasting 1.5-2 hours.
Swimmers are encouraged to attend a minimum of 7 4times per week. plus gym.(Swimmers
should be at the pool to perform dryland training warmup for 20 minutes before session
starts.
BRONZE SQUAD
This is the first of the competitive squads with each session lasting 1 hour. Swimmers are
encouraged to attend a minimum of 6 3 sessions per week.
DEVELOPMENT SQUAD
Swimmers are encouraged to attend 5 2 sessions per week. I would leave out the rest and
no Gym session and a minimum of 2 to 3 sessions per week along with Gym sessions.

OVERALL

Various Swim camps are held during the year both local and nationally. Qualified swimmers are
chosen to attend these camps depending on their abilities. Camps can be held over a period of
4-9 days, usually during the holidays so as not to affect school hours. All squad members are
squadded into squads at the discretion of the coaches depending on development and times.
Swimming is an Olympic sport and offers opportunities from club night right through to the
Olympics. There are several ways of competing against swimmers from all over the region,
South Island, New Zealand and the world. Swimming New Zealand runs seven (7) national
meets: Junior Nationals (10-12 year olds), National Age Groups (13-18 year olds), Open
Nationals (anyone – this meet is to find the fastest New Zealanders in every event), Open Water
Nationals (lake or sea swims), Spring Championships (age group short course championships),
Summer Championships (open short course championships) and Division II competition (a
national meet for those swimmers who haven’t qualified for National Age Groups).
Swimming New Zealand also runs a programme XLR8, a national programme which allows
swimmers to compare themselves against the rest of the country over four (4) events
Our coaches goals are for the swimmer .We give the swimmers the opportunities to be the
best they can be, be that local meets or national meets. We like the swimmers to do this in
a balanced way where they achieve at school, home and swimming.

Swim Squad Training
https://www.skills4lifeaquatics.com/