PNSC Performance Pathway

National 1

Squad Objectives:
  • Full time youth and senior swimmers for whom swimming is their highest priority
    outside of educational commitments. Swimmers whose aim is to compete at the
    highest level with total commitment to an individually agreed training programme
    with the Head Coach. Swimmers will be targeting the British Summer
    Championships, British Championships(trials) and International competitions and
    should be prepared to do “all that it takes” to reach the highest levels of the sport
Coach: Lee Baldwin & Richard Pointon
Land Training Coach: Tom Company
Pool Hours Available:  19 hours
Land Training Hours Available: 3 hours
Target Ages  (Based at the 31st December each year)  Male 15 years+   
Female 14 years+ 
Squad Entry Criteria Attendance:
  • Consistently attending 90-100% of training sessions in previous squad 
  • Consistently attending 90-100% of target competitions in previous squad 
  • 100% commitment to team events (National Arena League, County/Regional/National relays) 
 Performance:
  • Athletes must have qualified and competed at British Championships & or British Summer Championships
  • All athletes must have times recorded on British rankings (or International equivalent) 
  • Proven ability and commitment to following a competitive training programme (swimmers, with parental support)
 Attitude:
  • Has demonstrated a high level of dedication to the sport and attendance in previous squads 
  • A strong desire to listen, learn & act upon coach feedback  
  • A high level of self-motivation to improve 
  • A positive mind set with growing ability to take personal responsibility for performances, attitude and attendance 
  • A team player – polite, supportive, caring and empathetic 
    Squad Training & Competition Criteria  Attendance:
    • Athletes must attend a minimum of 9 pool sessions and 3 land training session per week 
    • All swimmers have Wednesday evening off unless a catch-up session is arranged with the Lead Coach
    • Training sessions will be agreed with the Lead Coach at the start of the season to ensure a balanced programme adapted for individual needs
    • 100% attendance to individual key sets as identified by the Head Coach
    Performance:
    • Has a full understanding of training cycles and sessions; able to take full personal responsibility for their efforts in training sessions in line with the expectations of the head Coach
    • Consistently hold required times on pace work, for a range of strokes and distances
    • To improve stroke specific skills, looking for marginal gains
    • To target finals and achieve medals at Regional &/or National Championships (long course and short course)
    • To achieve places at Regional &/or National programmes, International trials and/or be selected for Regional teams
    • To reach top 24 British ranking for targeted events
    • Fill in Wellness forms and submit by 12:00 noon each day
    • Training logs to be filled in after every training session including land
    • Open water swimmers to medal at Home nation open water championships
    Attitude:
    • Takes total responsibility for self-development, following the individual programme set by the Lead Coach
    • Takes personal responsibility to communicate directly with the Lead Coach or supporting coaches 
    • Expected to take holidays at appropriate times in the year so not to disrupt training into key meets
    • Swimmer-led goal setting with action plans for achievement (regular record keeping of performance against goals with regular 1:1 review with Lead coach) 
    • Follows the squad’s strength and conditioning programme 
    • Educated on and follows good nutrition & hydration
    • Continuous desire to perfect technical skills
    • Takes responsibility for injury prevention (pre-hab & stretching)
    • Knows how to prepare mentally for racing (e.g. using visualisation techniques) & how to overcome & learn from disappointment
    • Adherence to the PNSC Code of Conduct at all times
    Holidays/Trips:
    • Swimmers/parents are advised to plan family holidays or any residential school trips, excursions or camps during the annual shutdown period in August immediately following the National Championships. Please avoid planning holidays at Christmas unless you have access to a swimming pool and are able to train fully during this period as the county championships will be taking place in January and February. The county championships are important for gaining National Short Course qualifying times; time off over Christmas will affect swimmers’ ability to perform at the county championships. Please avoid planning holidays or school trips from March to July, as it is crucial for swimmers to be fit enough to gain qualification for British and home nation nationals during the competition window and prepare fully for national and international meets in the Summer. Swimmers who take holidays or attend school trips in July (4 days/over) will not be considered for national relay selection because this will affect their ability to prepare fully for the summer national championships and is unfair on the remaining team members. Failure to comply with the above may affect their future position in the squad
    Squad Exit Criteria:
    • Unable to attain the relevant attendance, performance and attitude standards as set in the squad criteria
    • Consistently late to sessions without prior agreement
    • Training at other clubs or seeking additional coaching/technical sessions outside of the Lead Coaches planning or without their consent
    Pathway:
    • Not meeting criteria – a move into either National 2, Regional Youth, or Masters if age appropriate