The St Hilda's Swimming Program is designed to cater for the complete Athlete Pathway, from Learn to Swim through to Representative Competition.
Junior Development is designed for athletes aged 7-10 years who have a passion for swimming and an interest in being a competitive swimmer.
Commitment: Commitment and training frequency is vital to the improvement of all Junior swimmers. Those selected for this squad are expected to swim 2-3 times per week, attend specific targeted meets, club nights, and be a member of the swim club.
Current ability: Swimmers should have the ability to swim Freestyle, Butterfly, Backstroke and Breaststroke at a development standard, as decided by coaching staff.
Objectives:
- Develop a feel for the water and the ability to adjust body position
- Refine technique of all four strokes
- Develop strong technique in all four strokes
- Learn racing skills that will be used in swim meets and competitions
Equipment: Water bottle, short blade fins (preferably DMC fins), kickboard, swim cap and goggles.
Target Competition: School competitions, development & transitional swim meets and club nights.
Club Member: Essential
Junior Challenge is designed for the athletes who are still deciding if swimming is their focus. It is designed for athletes aged 9-14 who have demonstrated technical proficiency in all four strokes.
Commitment: Commitment and training frequently is vital to the improvement of all junior swimmers and the coaching staff require junior swimmers to practice 2 to 3 times per week and have the choice of attending meets and club nights.
Objectives:
- Looking to become St Hilda’s Swim Club, surf club and/or water polo club members
- Aiming to qualify for area championships, Andrews Cup, SLSC Branch/Metro championships
- Improve stroke technique and movement in the water
- Learn race skills (starts/turns/underwater work)
- Improving kick base and ability to hold themselves in the water while performing program building blocks
- Develop push starts to do underwater streamline kicks and breaststroke pull-outs
- Learn to read a pace clock
Equipment:
- Swim cap and goggles
- Water bottle (2L)
- Short blade fins (preferably DMC Fins)
- Kickboard
Target Competition: School competitions, transition and development meets and club nights.
Club Member: Optional
Junior Performance Squad is designed for athletes aged 9-13 years who have shown commitment and talent required of an elite Junior swimmer.
Commitment: They need to show they are committed to both training and racing and determined to have a high level of proficiency committing to 4 – 6 sessions weekly.
Candidates should have previously shown a work ethic that is reflective of the squad’s ambitions and goals and have maintained a minimum of 3+ sessions weekly prior to joining the squad.
Objectives:
- Aiming to qualify for Age Nationals, QLD State Championships, Championships and club nights
- Learning to perform all skills consistently
- Learn race plans and tactics with the coaches
- Working with coaches to constantly improve stroke technique
- Develop coordination movement and proprioception
- Learning to set race goals with guidance from a coach
- Learning basics of training expectations and standards
- Learn to maintain correct technique under stress and long aerobic swims
- Improvement on the feel of the water
- Start to have an understanding of strength and conditioning (S&C) work
- Learn the team values
Equipment:
- Swim cap and goggles
- Large water bottle (2L)
- Snorkel
- Short blade fins (preferably DMC Fins)
- Kickboard
- Pull buoy
- Hand paddles
Health and Injury Management: Athletes are expected to communicate with the squad coach if they have any injuries and physio screenings may be recommended.
Target Competition: National Age Championships, QLD State Championships, Swimming Gold Coast Championships as well as meets, school competitions and club nights.
Club Member: Essential
The National Age Development Squad is designed for athletes aged 15 – 17 years who have shown potential in both commitment and ability to be future National Age athletes.
National Age Development squad members commit to 6-8 sessions weekly, coordinated with the Coaches. Swimmers should have previously shown a work ethic that is reflective of the squad’s ambitions and goals and have maintained a minimum of 5+ sessions weekly prior to joining the squad.
Commitment: Athletes will complete 6 to 8 sessions weekly. Commitment to the program will be negotiated with the squad coach on an individual basis. Candidates will have previously shown work ethic that is reflective of the squad’s ambitions and goals.
Equipment:
- Swim cap and goggles
- Large water bottle (2L)
- Snorkel
- Short blade fins (preferably DMC Fins)
- Kickboard
- Pull buoy
- Hand paddles
Health and Injury Management: Athletes are expected to communicate with the squad coach if they have any injuries and physio screenings may be recommended.
Target Competition: National competitions and championships, Swimming Gold Coast and Swimming Queensland championships and meets, school competitions and club nights.
Club Member: Essential
The National Open squad is designed for athletes aged 16+ who have shown commitment and talent required of an Open National level athlete.
Commitment: Athletes will participate in 8 to 9 sessions weekly. Athletes discuss with Head Coach on a training plan, including how often they will be training. Commitment to the program will be negotiated with the squad coach on an individual basis. Candidates will have previously shown work ethic that is reflective of the squad’s ambitions and goals.
Equipment:
- Swim cap and goggles
- Large water bottle (2L)
- Snorkel
- Short blade fins (preferably DMC Fins)
- Kickboard
- Pull buoy
- Hand paddles
Health and Injury Management
Athletes are expected to communicate with the squad coach if they have any injuries and physio screenings may be recommended.
Target Competition
National competitions and championships, Swimming Gold Coast and Swimming Queensland championships and meets, school competitions and club nights.
Club Member: Essential
Equipment
- Swimmers
- Goggles
- Swimming cap
- Short fins
- Hand paddles
- Snorkel