Squads

Below is a brief outline of the current squad structure, detailing the primary age and expected ability of the swimmers in each squad.

When coaches consider which swimmers for which squads, they consider the following:

The age of the Swimmer;
The technical ability of the Swimmer;
The Swimmer's history of training and learning ability;
The Swimmer's performance at competitions;
The Swimmer's ability to make a commitment;
The Swimmer's attitude towards training.

Squad Enrolment Form

Squad Handbook

Open Squad

Participants must be West Coast members.

These swimmers are competing at Open National and International level.

Objectives:	National Open squad swimmers are expected to make the highest commitment possible to their swimming. Selected swimmers are primarily aged 18yrs and over and ranked highly at an Australian Championship level.
Sessions:	Open Squad trains up to 10 pool sessions, 3 gym sessions and multiple dry-land sessions per week.

National Age Squad

Participants must be West Coast members.

These swimmers are competing at or striving to be competitive at Australian Age Championship level.

Objectives:	Swimmers training in National Age squad are expected to make a full commitment to the training and competition schedule laid out by the coach. Swimmers are primarily 13 to 18 years and have qualified for the Australian Age Championships.
Sessions:	This squad trains a recommended 6 - 8 pool sessions and multiple dry-land sessions per week.

Age Squad

Participants must be West Coast members.

These swimmers have achieved or are close to achieving State Qualifying times.

Objectives:	These swimmers will train alongside the National Age squad and are striving to make qualifying times for Australian Age Championships. Swimmers are primarily 13 to 18 years.
Sessions:	This squad trains a recommended 4 - 8 pool sessions and multiple dry-land sessions per week.

National Age Development Squad

Participants must be West Coast members.

These swimmers will typically be achieving top 8 ranking at State Championships.

Objectives:	These swimmers are primarily 11 to 14 years and over, with State Qualifying times in multiple events including 100m or longer. They should realistically be targeting National Age Championships within the next year to 18 months.
Sessions:	This squad trains a recommended 5 - 7 pool sessions and a minimum of one dry-land session per week.

Age Development Squad

Participants must be West Coast members.

Objectives:	Swimmers are primarily 11 to 14 years with State qualifying times or working towards qualifying for State Championships in one or more events.
Sessions:	Age Development Squad trains a recommended 4 - 7 pool sessions with dry-land sessions available each week.

Junior Performance Squad

Participants must be West Coast members.

These swimmers will typically be achieving top 8 ranking at State Championships.

Objectives:	Junior Performance squad swimmers are those that have shown that they have considerable swimming ability as well as the desire to become more involved in the training and competitive aspects of the sport. Swimmers are primarily 8 to 12 years with State Championship qualifying times in multiple events of 100m or longer.
Sessions:	Junior Performance Squad trains a recommended 3 - 5 pool sessions and a minimum one dry-land sessions per week.

Junior Squad

West Coast membership recommended.

Most of these swimmers will have qualified for or are close to qualifying for State Championships.

Objectives:

Junior Squad swimmers train up to 5 sessions per week. Swimmers begin attending 2 sessions per week and build to 5 sessions as suggested by their coach. Swimmers are primarily 8 to 12 years and are introduced to novice competitions and appropriate targeted meets. Junior Squad members who show a mature attitude and commitment to training will be invited to attend dry-land sessions with Junior Performance squad on Mondays and Fridays, as well as saturday morning sessions.

Sessions:

Five sessions are available per week.

Junior Skills 1 - 3

Membership optional.

Objectives:	Junior Skills squads are entry-level squads where stroke technique and race skills are the main emphasis. Swimmers will be assessed on enrolment and placed in the appropriate squad based on their ability.
Sessions:	It is recommended that swimmers attend 2 to 4 sessions per week.