TYNEMOUTH AMATEUR
SWIMMING CLUB
“.. provides a safe, fun and friendly environment, coupled with expert
teaching and coaching, which enables each swimmer to realise their full
potential”
Tynemouth ASC – Regional Squad Criteria
Overview
Swimmers in Regional squad must show the highest level of commitment, with swimming being one of their
primary activities and focus outside of education.
To enter and remain within Regional squad, specific criteria must be met and maintained. Swimmers
commitment, ability to train at the highest level, enthusiasm and determination to reach the highest level
possible should be displayed.
Swimmers in Regional squad will be, at a minimum, competing at ASA Level 1/Regional Meets with the
potential to qualify for the highest level of domestic competition, ASA Summer Nationals/British Summer
Championships/British Trials. Swimmers will be aged between 11-16 years.
Squad criteria is split into 5 sections, ‘Performance standard’, ‘Attendance,’ ‘Punctuality’, ‘Competition’ and
‘Behaviour and commitment to training'.
Swimmers who are not able to meet Regional squad criteria will be offered a place in a more suitable squad
within the club, where they will continue to work towards reaching their full potential long term.
Regional Squad Objectives/Goals








Increase the number of Regional and National qualifiers
Increase the number of swimmers making finals and winning medals at County, Regional and
National Level
Develop swimmers who are technically efficient across all 4 strokes and competitive across a wide
variety of events. Age group swimmers should be aiming to compete in 800/1500 free 400 Free and
IM and 200 form strokes.
Specialisation will be directed by the coach for youth swimmers as and when deemed appropriate
Make significant improvement to aerobic capacity of swimmers
Make significant improvements to swimmers underwater skills, turns and starts
Develop a squad of swimmers who are self motivated and enthusiastic about their swimming, who
are good role models and great team players.
Educate swimmers and parents around ways to enhance their performance in the pool, including
factors outside of the pool environment (e.g. nutrition)
Performance standard
Swimmers must have achieved, at a minimum, a Regional Standard or at the Coaches discretion have the
potential to achieve this standard in an agreed time frame. Swimmers should be aiming to qualify for ASA
Summer nationals (or the equivalent Scottish/Welsh meet)/ British Summer Championships and British
Trials.
Attendance Criteria
Swimmers must be prepared to commit to 100% of the training programme. Attendance will be reviewed
on a continuous basis, attendance records will be published monthly.
All swimmers must achieve a minimum attendance level of 85% (over any 12 week rolling period), this
includes both water and dry land sessions. If a swimmer fails to do so, they may be directed towards a
more suitable squad within the club.
In exceptional circumstances and after consultation and agreement with the coach, attendance levels may
be adjusted. For example during GCSE exams periods. Swimmers/Parents should contact the coach at the
earliest opportunity to discuss any thing that may effect a swimmers ability to reach 85% target attendance
including.
Swimmers are not encouraged to train with other squads, however on occasions if a swimmer is unable to
attend a Regional squad session they should consult with the coach to identify if it is possible to attend a
‘make up session’.
Land training Attendance
It is expected that all swimmers in Regional squad are committed to land training including mobility work
before/after training sessions.
Competition criteria
Regional squad has a clearly defined and structured competition programme that all swimmers will be
expected to commit to throughout the season.
The competition programme is an essential element of each swimmer’s development. If a swimmer is
unable to attend a specific meet, the coach should be notified asap. This may be to select an alternative
appropriate competition.
There will be 3 areas of competitions swimmers will need to focus on: 


Skill meets, short course (Domestic, Early season meets, normally between September and
December) These meets may include travel and an over night stays.
Qualifying meets, Long course (Domestic, Mid season meets, normally between January and April)
These meets may include travel and an over night stays.
Targeted meets (Regional/National/International, normally May – August ) These meets may
include travel and over night stays.
Swimmers will be expected to Compete every 3 - 6 weeks – and must train the night before a competition The coach may decide to finish the session early, swimmers and parents will be notified.
A Competition is defined as 2 or more full days (not a single day/session). Each swimmers events are
selected on an individual basis by the coach. Parents and swimmers should not change or dismiss events
without consultation with the coach.
Team events
Swimmers should be proud to be selected to represent Tynemouth ASC at any team event. Swimmers are
expected to swim in ALL team events they are selected for regardless of the level of the meet.
Punctuality
Swimmers in regional squad are expected to be poolside 15 minutes before each session’s start time and
committed to mobility work before/after training sessions. Swimmers may be refused entry to a session,
both water and dry land, if they are late. This is in the interests of Health & Safety of all swimmers in the
pool.
Behaviour and Commitment to training
Log Books
Swimmers in Regional squad are expected to keep log books in order to monitor their progress. All
swimmers will need to log their achievements, training sessions, work rate and improvement in areas in and
out of the pool.
Swimmers will need to hand log books in to the coach at the end of each month. This is an important part of
every swimmer’s development and a tool to enable them to take responsibility /ownership for their
swimming.
Swimmers are expected to keep log of their:






Training sets & times
Resting heart rate and training heart rates
Session & competition achievements
Goals and targets
Food and water diary
Land training
Daily training expectations
Swimmers will be monitored for their work rate, skill performance, training ability, dedication and
enthusiasm to progress.
Swimmers must behave with the utmost respect towards coaches, other participants and facilities.
Swimmers must attend sessions with all the necessary equipment (see Equipment list) this is essential for
swimmers to be able to complete the session correctly. Failure to have the correct equipment for a session
will result in swimmers being unable to complete the session correctly.
Swimmers must give 100% to each training session in terms of their effort and
focus. Swimmers must maintain effort and focus throughout every session and
allow others to do the same. Any swimmer found not to be reaching the level of
focus expected may be asked to leave the session.
Parents
Parents should avoid talking to the coach during sessions, unless an emergency, as this interrupts the
session and in the interest of Health and Safety.
Parents should not speak to Coach prior to training sessions, unless an emergency, as this can delay the
session, along with interfering with preparation.
Coach contact details are listed below, parents can catch the coach after any training session or make
appointments on Thursday 7:30pm or Saturday 9:15am.
Email: [email protected]
Mobile: 07453325382
Squad criteria has been set to develop and maintain a high standard within
Regional squad, to allow and encourage all swimmers to reach their full potential!