Junior Olympic Program
This is a comprehensive period of training that covers all aspects of a developing swimmer’s needs. Over their time in these squads, they will be taught:
- Advanced stroke technique
- Starting, turning and finishing techniques
- How to train effectively (warming up and swimming down, endurance, clock reading, lane discipline)
- Basic land training and flexibility routines
- Gala procedures and rules
- Basic nutritional advice
- General mentorship and advice for competitive swimming
Entry criteria
- Swimmers will normally be between 7 and 9 years of age
- Must be competent at three strokes and have a basic knowledge of all four strokes, diving and turning
- Be able to swim 400m continuously
- Must initially commit to a minimum of two sessions per week, rising to six / seven sessions before being considered for a move up to Junior National Squad.
Competitions
At the younger ages (7-8yrs) swimmers will compete in local, friendly mini-galas and development galas. As the swimmers reach 9yrs, they will be eligible to compete in the Sheffield and District, Yorkshire Championships and other local open meets. The programme is broken into 3 squads:-
Junior Olympic 3/Concorde Squad - £30.00 per month
Coach – Richard Kimpton (JO3 Concord) Lynne Finch (JO3)
Assistants - Ros Goodyear
This is the start of the programme, where the children will learn the basics of becoming a competitive swimmer. They will build upon the principles of advanced stroke technique taught in the pre-competition squads, including race starts, turns and finishes, lane discipline and being part of a training squad. Swimmers in this squad are normally 7-9 yrs of age and will compete in Development galas and friendly local meets.
| JO3 Training Times | |
| Mon | 6.15pm - 8.00pm (including Land Training) |
| Wed | 5.45pm - 7.20pm (including Land Training) |
| Fri | 7.00pm - 8.00pm |
| Concorde Training Times | |
| Mon | 6.30pm - 7.30pm |
| Wed | 6.15pm - 7.15pm |
| Sat | 8.00am - 9.00am |
Junior Olympic 2 Squad – £36.00 per month
Coach –Karen Clifton
Assistants - Lynn Finch, Dannii Oldham, Vickie Bracken, Anna Bates, Mark Finch, Frazer Farren
The swimmers will maintain the skill work they have been learning in JO3, but there is now a larger endurance component to the training. The swimmers will be expected to commit to more sessions, in order to be ready for the Sheffield and District and Yorkshire Championships etc, and the harder training in JO1.
Swimmers are now also introduced to dry land training, which will take place on a Tuesday and Thursday evening before the water session. This is basic athletic training, involving body weight exercises, balance work, core stability and movement skills. Swimmers will need their own shorts, t-shirts and trainers to be allowed to take part. Swimmers will normally be 8-10yrs old and selected due to skill levels and training ability.
| Mon | 6.00pm - 7.00pm Swim |
| Tue | 5.45pm - 7.30pm (including Land Training) |
| Thur | 5.45pm - 7.30pm (including Land Training) |
| Fri | 6.15pm - 7.30pm Swim |
| Sat | 6.00am - 8.00am Swim |
Junior Olympic 1 Squad - £42.00 per month
Coach – Mike Taylor
Assistants - Simon Gregg, Lynn Finch, Jenny Starling, Frazer Farren
Training is stepped up again, with longer and harder sessions, more advanced land training and an introduction to morning training. Swimmers will normally be Yorkshire Qualifiers and be aiming for North Eastern Region/National Qualifying times and higher standard Open Meets. They will need to become accustomed to training everyday, in preparation for a move to Junior National Squad.
Swimmers will be selected for this squad based on skill levels, training commitment, and competition ability. Female Swimmers will normally be 10-13yrs of age and male swimmers 10-14 yrs.
Minimum weekly attendance levels for this squad are: four or five sessions for 10 year olds, five or six sessions for 11 year olds and those swimmers aged 12 years plus are expected to do six or seven sessions.
Land training is an integral part of a swimmer’s development. All swimmers are expected to attend these sessions, in addition to the water work.
| Mon | 5.45pm - 6.10pm Land, 6.15pm - 8.00pm Swim SC |
| Tue | 5.45pm - 5.55pm Flexing, 6.00pm - 7.45pm Swim LC |
| Wed | 5.30pm - 5.55pm Land, 6.00pm - 7.45pm Swim SC |
| Thu | 5.45pm - 5.55pm Land, 6.00pm - 7.30pm Swim LC |
| Fri | 5.30am - 7.00am Swim LC |
| Fri | 5.30pm - 5.55pm Land, 6.00pm - 7.30pm Swim SC |
| Sat | 6.00am - 8.00am Swim SC |
