Swim Squads

We have a wide range of swim squads targeted at all ages. There is a more competitive pathway for those who want to race and a less competitive club pathway for those who want to train and develop their aquatic skills.

Squad name changes

We have renamed many of our squads so these groups are aligned from September. Please see the details below. We will update the website to reflect the new names in due course. 

 

Assessment and progression

Bristol and South Gloucestershire Swimming Club promotes a long-term journey through the sport of swimming. This is based on the Swim England principles of promoting different athlete development support pathways that are most suited to each individual swimmer, their attainment, attitude and attendance. There are two pathways through the club and when the squad entry criteria are met, it is possible to move across from one pathway to another. It is also possible to join the club at any point along the pathway.

Each squad in the club is assessed four times a year. For all squads, the principle consideration is the coaches’ assessment of their swimmers’ technique and training data from swim tests. For the higher squads some additional measures are introduced. We will work closely with swimmers towards achieving the assessment criteria whilst in that squad. Along with other factors, the criteria will be used to inform the coaches decision about movement between squads and pathways.

Attendance

Regular attendance has a significant impact on skill progression and in building a complete understanding of the sport. In order to stay in the higher competitive squads, there is a threshold minimum attendance to achieve. There may be short term extenuating circumstances, which can be discussed with the squad coach. It is the swimmers’ responsibility to tell their coach if they are going to miss sessions.

 

Missed assessments

The dates of upcoming assessment weeks are communicated to parents and swimmers. Attendance to these sessions is especially important, as gathering the data allows a detailed and fair process to take place. If a swimmer misses the assessment week, the coach will try and allow them to repeat, but this may not be possible. If a swimmer misses the assessment week and also the mop up week, then they have to wait to be assessed again at the end of the next 12 weeks cycle.

 

Coach to swimmer feedback

If a swimmer does not move up to the next squad, then swimmers and parents can request feedback from the squad lead coach. The lead coach will have the assessment data and will explain the progress that the swimmer needs to make in order to successfully reach the criteria for the next squad and / or the other pathway options within the club.

 

Para Swimming

Equipment: Swim hat, goggles, and appropriate club swimwear, ie no two piece suits, baggy shorts or wetsuits (rash vests are acceptable)

Further information about the Para Squad and Disibility Learn to Swim

Learn to Swim (Kingswood)

Learn to Swim Co-ordinator: Emma Dodd

1 lesson per week

Swim Academy

Lead Coach: Jess Clements

Choose between 1 or 2 sessions per week

Equipment: Swim hat, goggles, and appropriate club swimwear, ie no two piece suits, baggy shorts or wetsuits (rash vests are acceptable)
In addition to the above, Swim Academy 4 swimmers need to have a pair of short fins (not flippers or long fins) to aid the training of strokes (desirable for Swim Academy 3).

Junior Competitive Pathway

The Development squads are the beginning of the competitive pathway. This suits swimmers who are eager to swim a few times each week and would like to start to compete in fun galas and introductory competitions.

Lead Coach: Sarah Cozens

Kingswood Junior Competitive Pathway

Equipment Needed: Water bottle, working goggles, BSG swimming hat, short fins, kickboard and pull buoy. A snorkel is optional (a nose clip may be useful) for Development 2, but required for Development 3.

The Development squads training schedule is available on the Training Times page – competitive pathway.

Competitive pathway

The higher level competitive squads are for those swimmers eager to commit to multiple training sessions each week and want to enter open meets, qualify for the county championships and above and represent the club in galas.

Equipment Needed: Water bottle, working goggles, BSG swimming hat, short fins, kickboard, pull buoy, hand paddles and snorkel.

Competitive pathway training times can be found on the Training Times page

Performance pathway

The performance squads are for those swimmers eager to commit to multiple training sessions each week. These swimmers have the desire to train in and out of the pool, aspire to gain county, regional and national times, will represent the club at galas and want to become fully rounded athletes.

Bronze/Regional Potential

In Bronze/Regional Potential squads, swimmers are coached to improve all their technical abilities as they learn to train,  These Age Group swimmers gain county times in a range of competitions.  Swimmers begin to learn physical training habits, tactical awareness and further their knowledge and understanding of how to train effectively and perform. There will be an introduction to land training, pre pool warm up and post pool stretching.

Equipment Needed: Water bottle, working goggles, spare goggles, BSG swimming hat, short fins, kickboard, pull buoy and snorkel. Resistance bands and foam rollers will be required for pre and post pool training.

Bronze and Regional Potential squads training schedules are available on the Training Times page – performance pathway.

Silver/Regional Age

In the Silver/Regional Age squad, swimmers are coached to train effectively and develop their technical abilities.  These Age Group swimmers gain county and some regional times in a range of competitions.  Swimmers continue to learn pre-pool training habits, tactical awareness and further their knowledge andunderstanding of how to train effectively and perform.  There will be land training, pre-pool warm up and post post stretching.

Equipment Needed: Water bottle, working goggles, spare goggles, BSG swimming hat, short fins, kickboard, pull buoy, hand paddles and snorkel. Resistance bands and foam

Silver and Regional Age squads training schedules are available on the Training Times page – performance pathway.

Gold/National Potential

Gold/National Potential squad is for youth swimmers aged 14-18 years old, gaining regional and national times.  Swimmers will be working on training all major energy systems while peaking for targeted events throughout the season.  These swimmers complete pre and post pool training and further progress their physical, technical and psychological development in order to maximise their potential as performers.  A commitment to the high level of training required is an essential aspect of being an athlete in this squad.

Equipment Needed: Water bottle, working goggles, spare goggles, BSG swimming hat, short fins, kickboard, pull buoy, hand and finger paddles and snorkel. Resistance bands and foam rollers will be required for pre and post pool training.

Gold and National Potential squads training schedules are available on the Training Times page – performance pathway.

Club Pathway

The recreational club pathway is for those swimmers who want a lighter commitment. It is the less competitive route through the club, although there is still the option to enter competitions for those who want to.

Junior Club 1-3

Junior Club 1 is the start of the recreational club pathway. This squad is for swimmers who are stages 5 and 6 of the Swim England National Teaching Plan and who enjoy swimming and are eager to obtain the key skills for aquatic sports but are less competitive. Swimmers will improve their stroke technique and a wide range of aquatic skills. 

Junior Club 2 is for swimmers who are stage 7 of the Swim England National Teaching Plan and enjoy swimming and are eager to obtain the key skills for aquatic sports but are less competitive. Swimmers will improve their stroke technique and a wide range of aquatic skills.

Junior Club 3 is for swimmers who are approximately stage 8 and enjoy swimming and are eager to obtain the key skills for aquatic sports but are less competitive. Swimmers will improve their stroke technique and a wide range of aquatic skills.

Equipment Needed: Working goggles, BSG swimming hat and short fins.

The Junior Club training schedule is available on the Training Times page – club pathway.

Age Group Club

Youth Club

The training schedule is available on the Training Times page – club pathway.

Masters

Lead Coach: Sarah Cozens

This squad is for 18 year olds and older. It is a great squad for those who want to maintain fitness, whilst some swimmers choose to compete for the club in open meets, Masters meets and in gala series such as the spring Cotswold League.

For more about our Masters squad

 

BSG Swimming Pathways

Notes

• The Swim England Athlete Development Support Pathway is based on the principle of building a long term journey through the sport of swimming.

• All ages given are for guidance.

• Squad entry criteria are based on attainment, attitude and attendance.

• qt refer to qualifying times

• ct refer to consideration times