Squad Development (Upgrades)
This page outlines the goals and objectives coaches have to develop the squads and squad services. it incorporates feedback received from families and swimmers alongside target areas identified by coaches for improvement or changes.
2022 Notes
Long Term Objectives
A primary goal at the moment is to build positive and motivated squad teams across the Mountains pools. The formation of strong teams takes time to build and develop. Consistent coaching and structured program are very important in this pursuit. Strong teams that have had time to build and grow create many opportunities and are a foundation for motivated and successful swimmers.
Another goal is to raise the level of competitive swimming of our swimming teams each season. This is measured primarily in numbers attending swimming carnivals alongside results of individuals. By doing this the swimming profile of the Blue Mountains Swimming Community is increased and easily recognized. Swimming opportunities for individuals and the teams are also increased.
Creating a high performance team of older teenage and young adult swimmers is a goal for the long term. Bringing swimmers past a national age level into open and world level swimming is something that is being looked at by coaches over the coming seasons.
Another goal is to raise the level of competitive swimming of our swimming teams each season. This is measured primarily in numbers attending swimming carnivals alongside results of individuals. By doing this the swimming profile of the Blue Mountains Swimming Community is increased and easily recognized. Swimming opportunities for individuals and the teams are also increased.
Creating a high performance team of older teenage and young adult swimmers is a goal for the long term. Bringing swimmers past a national age level into open and world level swimming is something that is being looked at by coaches over the coming seasons.
Development Areas
Below are target areas for development for each of the squads. These things have been identified by coaches or are being looked at through feedback from swimmers and parents. Some changes may not always suit all swimmers but we will always try and incorporate all feedback where possible with the goal of offering the best possible service.
Adult Squad
In the winter season we will be doing a deep dive into the adult squad program. Some of the objectives will be:
We are also going to look at the creation of additional squad sessions that run through the weekday mornings in the lower mountains. In particular the options to setup a freestyle/open water and triathlete squad for ages 16+ is being looked at.
The possibility to have Springwood adult classes is being looked at. These may be stroke and technique based classes.
Regular adult squad workshops that focus on a particular technique or skill are being planned.
- Improve the program to target specific competitions.
- Improve the program to integrate the three sessions with a variety of conditioning types.
- Remove overlap of training types where necessary.
- Create more general consistency in the program.
We are also going to look at the creation of additional squad sessions that run through the weekday mornings in the lower mountains. In particular the options to setup a freestyle/open water and triathlete squad for ages 16+ is being looked at.
The possibility to have Springwood adult classes is being looked at. These may be stroke and technique based classes.
Regular adult squad workshops that focus on a particular technique or skill are being planned.
Springwood and Glenbrook Squads
The formation of strong, engaged and motivated junior squad teams is a primary objective. In order to achieve this we hope to look at:
Senior Squads (Silver and Performance)
These squads are now at a level where the next step is to add a strength and conditioning service into the program. In the early season we will look at setting up a strength training program with an expert.
We will also look at the different types of equipment we use and can use and incorporate it into the season plan.
Performance Squad
For this squad we are looking at:
- Building a deeper relationship with learn to swim instructors.
- Sessions that foster engagement, motivation and positivity.
- Sessions that encourage leadership and teamwork.
- Recognition for swimmers that are giving a large commitment in their training.
Senior Squads (Silver and Performance)
These squads are now at a level where the next step is to add a strength and conditioning service into the program. In the early season we will look at setting up a strength training program with an expert.
We will also look at the different types of equipment we use and can use and incorporate it into the season plan.
Performance Squad
For this squad we are looking at:
- Further evolving the season plan to add more detail and specific race work for swimmers.
- Creating more distinction in this squad as a top level group, including ways for the swimmers to have access to increased and exclusive training/Options.
- Building a clear pathway for the swimmers in this group to reach high levels of swimming at representative and open age level swimming.
Lawson and Katoomba Squads
All squads
- A higher amount of technique feedback for swimmers is being aimed at for coming seasons.
- Upper Mountain Coaches will have additional support as Corin will be attending sessions regularly throughout the season.
- An additional coach for the Upper Mountains is still being sought after.
- Based on feedback, slightly later afternoon sessions at Katoomba provides many swimmers with more ability to attend and also allows for more lane space and better structured sessions.
- Improvements on sessions in regard to structure such as using the clock and timing is being targeted by coaches.
- The integration of the season plan currently used at Glenbrook. This plan creates a variety of swimming sets, drills and exercises and allows for swimmers to be able to see connections between weeks and terms in their training.
- Looking at land training options for older swimmers.
Season Plans
Season plans are detailed documents that the coaches use to plan out what swimmers do in their sessions. Season plans are not static but may and do change on a regular basis. These are coaching documents for coaches and their is an important boundary for this plan. Over the past several years coaches Corin, Adam and Josh have worked on and evolved a single season plan that outlines swimming sessions for all levels (mini - performance) for a whole year. Here are just some of the many objectives for the continued improvement of this plan:
- Of primary importance is creating greater relationships between sessions. This allows swimmers to connect their training, creates motivation and builds fitness in a step by step manner.
- Re looking at test sets and adding alternatives and options for greater variety. (we will still do a 1.5K sorry :)
- Increasing Medley work.
Workshops
Feedback to run stroke, technique and skill workshops is being looked at and we are aiming to run these on a regular basis.
Specialist Network
We are aiming to develop a specialist network with a number of people. The four starting specialist areas we aim to build a relationship with are:
- A nutritionist.
- A sports psychologist.
- A strength and conditioning trainer.
- A massage and recovery specialist.
Swimming Camps, Clinics and the return of the Japan Trip
We are looking at re starting the regular camps we were running prior to covid plus look at new ideas. This includes the local summer clinic and the Japan trip.
Globe Squad
In the lockdown we looked at options to run sessions that coincide with other squads around the world. Both squads would interact during these sessions via online video methods. Unfortunately time zones and covid problems kept getting in the way of this being launched properly. This season we will be aiming to get it to happen.
Online Videos and more Information
We are looking at starting up a number of online videos that swimmers and parents can access anytime. These would cover multiple topics and be aimed at both our specific squad members as well as some for general viewing.
Additionally we will be reviewing the parent information and resources section on the website and adding more information.
Additionally we will be reviewing the parent information and resources section on the website and adding more information.