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Athlone Swimming Club
Squads
Development 1
(Bronze
Squad)
This group introduces swimmers for the first
time to the deep end. Technique will be taught on all four
strokes. Promotion out of this group will be decided by the
teacher, when it is felt that the swimmer can swim comfortably
in the deep end without close supervision.
Development 2
(Silver Squad)
Swimmers are now able to complete 25 metres
frontcrawl, backcrawl and breaststroke non stop. Technique will
be taught on all four strokes, also diving. Promotion will be
based on a Time Trial, or at the coach’s discretion.
Development 3
(Gold Squad)
Swimmers are expected to train at distances
up to 2 lengths. All aspects of swimming will be included in
this group. Technique will still be the main focus, but fitness
and speed training will also be included. Promotion out of this
group will be based on Time Trials. Those over 9 years of age,
if promoted, move into our ‘A’ Squad, and those 9 years of age
and under move into our Junior Squad.
Junior
Squad
This group is only for our 6,7,8 and 9 year
olds who achieve a certain time in our Time Trials. All
swimmers will be expected to train at distances of up to 4
lengths. Swimmers in this group will train 3 days a week.
Training will follow the same lines as our Gold Squad.
Promotion out of this group will depend on Time Trial results.
Swimmers are not expected to compete in Galas, unless organised
by the Club.
‘A’
Squad
This squad will train 4 times a week.
Swimmers are expected to swim distances ranging from 25 metres
to approximately 800 metres. All aspects of training will be
covered, with a larger emphasis now being placed on fitness
levels. Swimmers will be expected to participate in competition
throughout the year. Generally most of these swimmers will
attend Graded Galas, but any swimmer who achieves an ‘A’ time,
as set out in the Graded Tables, will now be eligible to swim in
all open competition throughout Connacht. Any swimmer who
achieves a Division II Irish Age Groups time will be
automatically promoted into the Elite Squad (See chart). Any
swimmer within 5 seconds of Div. 2 I.A.G. may swim an extra
session on a Sunday morning with the Elite Squad. If an U/11
swimmer is within 10 seconds of Div.2; U/10 15 seconds; U/9 20
seconds, then these swimmers will train on Sunday instead of
Wednesday, giving them an extra 45 minutes training each week.
Elite
Squad
This group has swimmers ranging in talent
from a good Connacht standard up to international level.
Swimmers now train 7 days a week and will attend Galas
countrywide and abroad. Fitness levels will be of the highest
standard and ages range from 11 to 18. The aim for this group
is to qualify for the Division I Irish Age Groups or the
National Open Championships.
Club Time
Trials & Promotions
Time Trials will be run every term to determine who is promoted
from our Development Squad (Gold, Silver
and Bronze) to our Junior and ‘A’ Squads. The following are
guidelines for promotion: 6,7,8 and 9 year olds
may qualify for the Junior Squad by competing in a 25 metre Time
Trial. All other age groups must compete
in a 50 metre Time Trial to win promotion to the “A” Squad.
Please note that these qualifying times do not
guarantee promotion as there may not be enough spaces to cater
for all swimmers.
25 metres Frontcrawl 50 metres Frontcrawl
6 years 30 seconds & under 10 years 48 seconds & under
7 years 28 seconds & under 11 years 43 seconds & under
8 years 26 seconds & under 12 years 40 seconds & under
9 years 23 seconds & under 13 years+ 38 seconds & under
Any swimmer who shows ability in another stroke may, at the
discretion of the coaches, be promoted to a
higher group.
*To be promoted from our Junior Squad into our ‘A’ Squad, it is
necessary to swim 50 metres Frontcrawl in
50 seconds or under, or 25 metres Breaststroke in 25 seconds or
under.
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