The Young Potential Squad is for swimmers aged between 9 & 12 at the end of the current calendar year. Exceptionally swimmers outside this age range may be accepted at the discretion of the Head Coach.

Aim: To develop competitive swimmers, with the aim of achieving Essex County Qualifying times, one of which will be at a distance of of 200 metres.

The Team Fitness Squad is for swimmers aged between 11 & 18 at the end of the current calendar year.

Aim: To maintain fitness and continue to improve Personal Best times within the competitive arena.

The Potential Development Squad is for swimmers aged between 11 & 18 at the end of the current calendar year. Exceptionally swimmers outside this age range may be accepted at the discretion of the Head Coach.

Aim: To have, or be close to, Essex County Qualifying Times for their age group at a distance above 50 metres.

The Performance Squad is for swimmers aged 11 or over at the end of the current calendar year. Exceptionally younger swimmers or dedicated swimmers may be accepted at the discretion of the Head Coach.

Aim: To have multiple Essex County Qualifying Times for their age group at a distance greater than 50 metres. Swimmers in this squad should ideally be County finalists.

The Performance Plus Squad is for swimmers aged 11 or over at the end of the current calendar year. Exceptionally younger swimmers or dedicated swimmers may be accepted at the discretion of the Head Coach.

Aim: Swimmers in this squad will be Essex County finalists/medalists and have achieved or are close to East Regional, National and International Qualifying Times for the current swimming season.

Our Masters squad caters for older swimmers who wish to continue swimming competitively as well as those who swim to keep fit. We also have several members who are triathletes and use the sessions to improve their swimming technique and fitness.

We have around 60 members of varying ability ranging in age from 18-80+ and follow a structured coaching programme led by Denise, our coach.

Youth Masters is for swimmers aged 14-18 yrs who are emotionally mature enough to work independently within a lane of older swimmers.

Aim: To maintain fitness and continue to improve Personal Best times within the competitive arena.

The Stroke Development Squad is for swimmers aged 12+ who are emotionally mature enough to work independently within a lane of older swimmers and is open to existing members and new members trialling for the Masters Squad

Aim: To maintain and develop fitness and good stroke technique.

Swimmers should be able to:

• Demonstrate good technique in Backstroke, Breaststroke, Front Crawl and Butterfly in accordance with the FINA rules for each stroke and turn.
• Compete in 100m of Backstroke, Breaststroke, Front Crawl and Butterfly showing reasonable form throughout.
• Perform 8 x 100m Front Crawl and Form Stroke with minimal rest.
• Swim a 200m Individual Medley to a good competitive standard for their age group.
• Swim for 90 minutes and understand complex instructions.
• Understand basic lane discipline: allow a 5 seconds gap between swimmers, swim clockwise and anticlockwise in the odd and even numbered lanes.
• Show good attendance.
• Commit to competing at Open Meets and representing the Club at galas (e.g. Mini-Leagues, Arena league and Junior Speedo league).
• Be self-motivated to achieve the goals set by their coach.

Swimmers in the Young Potential Squad must have passed their ASA Competitive Start Award

Minimum Attendance: 5 sessions per week (including 1 weekday morning session)

Swimmers should be able to:

• Show good technique in Backstroke, Breaststroke, Butterfly and Front Crawl.
• Perform 8 x 100m Front Crawl and Form Stroke with minimal rest.
• Swim for 60 minutes and understand complex instructions.
• Read times from the pace clock.
• Understand basic lane discipline: : allow a 5 seconds gap between swimmers, swim clockwise and anti-clockwise in the odd and even numbered lanes.
• Show good attendance.
• Commit to competing at Open Meets and representing the Club at galas (e.g. Mini-Leagues).
• Be self-motivated to achieve the goals set out for them by their coach.

Swimmers in the Teen Squad must have passed their ASA Competitive Start Award

Minimum Attendance: 2 sessions per week

Swimmers should be able to:

• Show good technique in all strokes.
• Compete in 100m/200m Backstroke, Breaststroke, Front Crawl and Butterfly maintaining good form throughout.
• Swim 400m and 200m Individual Medley to a good competitive standard for their age group.
• Perform 15 x 100m Front Crawl and Form Stroke with minimal rest, whilst maintaining good technique throughout.
• Swim for 90 minutes and understand a swimming schedule.
• Read the pace clock and calculate their own swimming times.
• Understand and comply with lane discipline and be respectful to their coaches and fellow team mates.
• Show good attendance at training, land training and long course training.
• Show commitment to competing at Open Meets and representing the Club at galas and Essex County Championships.

Minimum Attendance: 6 sessions per week (including 2 weekday morning sessions)

Swimmers should be able to:

• Represent the Club at the County Championships.
• Compete in 100m/200m Backstroke, Breaststroke, Front Crawl and Butterfly maintaining good form throughout.
• Swim 200m and 400m Individual Medley with legal turns to a good competitive standard for their age group.
• Perform 20 x 100m Front Crawl and Form Stroke with minimal rest.
• Swim for 120 minutes and understand a complex swimming schedule.
• Read the pace clock and calculate their own swimming times.
• Understand and comply with lane discipline and be respectful to their coaches and fellow team mates, setting a good example to others.
• Maintain good attendance at training, land training and long course training.
• Compete at Open Meets and representing the Club at Arena League galas and Essex County Championships.
• Be self-motivated to achieve the goals set out for them by their coaches.

Minimum Attendance: 6 sessions per week (including 2 weekday morning sessions)

Swimmers should be able to:

• Represent the Club at County, Regional, National and International Championships.
• Compete in 100m/200m Backstroke, Breaststroke, Front Crawl and Butterfly maintaining good form throughout.
• Swim 200m and 400m Individual Medley to a good competitive standard for their age group.
• Perform 30 x 100m Front Crawl and Form Stroke with minimal rest.
• Swim for 120 minutes and understand a complex swimming schedule.
• Read the pace clock and calculate their own swimming times.
• Understand and comply with lane discipline and be respectful to their coaches and fellow team mates, setting a good example to others.
• MMaintain good attendance at training, land training and long course training.
• Compete at Open Meets and represent the Club at Arena League galas, Essex County Championships, Regional and National Championships and training camps.
• Be self-motivated to achieve the goals set out for them by their coaches.

Minimum Attendance: 7 sessions per week (including Wednesday morning plus 1 other weekday morning session and the Basildon Program when available)

Swimmers should be able to:

• Demonstrate good technique in Backstroke, Breaststroke, Butterfly and Front Crawl.
• Perform 8 x 100m Front Crawl and Form Stroke with minimal rest.
• Show that they are able to swim for 60 minutes and understand complex instructions.
• Read times from the pace clock.
• Understand basic lane discipline (5 seconds between swimmers/clockwise and anticlockwise etc.)
• Maintain good attendance. Non attendance for a period of 4 weeks without notice of injury or illness, will result in the place being offered to another swimmer on the waiting list.
• Be self-motivated to achieve the goals set out for them.

Minimum Attendance: 2 sessions per week

Swimmers should be able to:

• Demonstrate good technique in Backstroke, Breaststroke, Butterfly and Front Crawl.
• Perform 8 x 100m Front Crawl and Form Stroke with minimal rest.
• Show that they are able to swim for 60 minutes and understand complex instructions.
• Read times from the pace clock.
• Understand basic lane discipline (5 seconds between swimmers/clockwise and anticlockwise etc.)
• Maintain good attendance. Non attendance for a period of 4 weeks without notice of injury or illness, will result in the place being offered to another swimmer on the waiting list.
• Be self-motivated to achieve the goals set out for them.

Minimum Attendance: 2 sessions per week

Swimmers should be able to:

• Show good technique in Backstroke, Breaststroke, Butterfly and Front Crawl.
• Perform 8 x 100m Front Crawl and Form Stroke with minimal rest.
• Swim for 60 minutes and understand complex instructions.
• Read times from the pace clock.
• Understand basic lane discipline: : allow a 5 seconds gap between swimmers, swim clockwise and anti-clockwise in the odd and even numbered lanes.
• Show good attendance.
• Be self-motivated to achieve the goals set out for them by their coach.

Minimum Attendance: 2 sessions per week