Ballymena Amateur Swimming Club Squad Information 2015/2016

Meeting 24th August 2015 Staff Structure within club Coaching Structure within club Aquasprints PTL Open Galas

CLUB COMMITTEE BASC Open Galas PTL Aquasprints Senior Squad Club Core Born 1997-2004 Club Born 1997-2004 Aquasprints Core Born 2005-2007 Development Open Galas

Committee Chairperson – Philip Law Secretaries – Caitriona Lennox caitriona.lennox@MountCharles.com Emma Wells enigma_74@hotmail.com Membership Secretary – Anne-Marie McKillop Treasurer – Richard O’Neill Childrens Officer – Jenny Carroll Kit Liason – Sharon Kennedy There are other committee members but these are the few that you may come into contact with. Any info to go through the secretaries.

Coaching Staff Head Coach – Derek Beattie drkbeattie@hotmail.com PTL Coach – Mark Skillen Mark_skillen@hotmail.co.uk AquaSprint Coach – Alice Nesbitt alice.nesbitt@hotmail.com Coaches – Louise McBride (Level 2) mcbride126@btinternet.com Sharon Anderson (Level 1) Norman Law (Level 1) Teachers – John McCaul Bill Lawerence David O’Neill Helpers – Sarah Rock Rachel McBride Robbie Anderson Head Teacher – Evan McClintock evanmcclintock@hotmail.com

AQUASPRINTS Coach - Alice Nesbitt alice.nesbitt@hotmail.com Any swimmers born 2004-2007 will fall into the AquaSprint category

AquaSprints AquaSprints Galas are the first opportunity for the younger swimmers to swim competitively. A total of 40 events are swum, including individual and team relays. All races are 25m only. The AquaSprint League is divided into 4 divisions. We have just been promoted into Division C and this season will swim against – Ballymoney, Lecale, Lurgan, Newry & Mourne and Portadown. AquaSprint galas are held on Saturday evenings and last for about an hour and a half. There are 5 Galas a year (3 Home and 2 Away)

AquaSprint swimmers are divided into 2 Squads – Core and Development. This is to enable stroke development and individual growth of swimmers as well as providing a solid team for competitions. The AquaSprint Finals are scheduled for Friday 3rd June 2016.

Core Squad The Core Squad will encourage swimmers to focus on advanced drills and skills for all strokes. In addition, the Squad programme introduces and incorporates a number of new opportunities and skills such as the introduction and understanding of training and racing terminology, goal setting, the ability to maintain a training log book and the opportunity to compete in Open Galas. Each swimmer's attendance and attitude should reflect a commitment to excelling throughout the season and a dedication to all aspects of competitive swimming. Respect for the club, coaches and team mates alongside consistent and intense training are critical to the success of each individual in the Core Squad. Attendance and availability will be monitored closely.

A&B – must achieve 2 out of 4 times with solid technique, and have a good technique across all 4 strokes C – must achieve 3 out of 4 times with solid technique, and have good technique across all 4 strokes with solid skills (diving and tumble turns) There will be allocated time trials at the beginning of the season, swimmers times will be monitored and if they do not remain within the thresholds set out then they will be transferred into Development training. GIRLS Group Year of Birth Backstroke Breaststroke Butterfly Front Crawl C 2005 23.50 26 24 20.50 B 2006 25 29.50 23 A 2007 30 33 BOYS Group Year of Birth Backstroke Breaststroke Butterfly Front Crawl C 2005 25 26 24 21 B 2006 30.50 28 23 A 2007 30 35

Development Squad The A Group Development Squad is based around the knowledge that “Practice makes Permanent”. The swimmers will develop their aerobic base (swimming longer distances) and learn swimming terminology. New skills that are introduced are the Individual Medley, perfect streamlines off all walls, Starts, Dives and gala participation (including Time Trials and mainly home Aquasprint Galas) It is important to ensure that efficient and correct technique is being instilled throughout our Development Squad in order to maximum their growth and progression throughout the season. B & C Group Development Squad swimmers will focus on advanced drills and skill acquisition for all strokes, as well as continuing to develop their aerobic endurance and swimming terminology. They will learn to perform streamlines consistently, Breaststroke Pull-outs and must be able to complete a 100m Individual Medley. Other skills acquired include reading the pace clock, turns and core body strength building.

A – must achieve 2 out of 4 times with good technique, and have a good understanding across all 4 strokes There will be allocated time trials at the beginning of the season, after that coaches may time children based on development and merit of improvement throughout the year Group Year of Birth Backstroke Breaststroke Butterfly Front Crawl A GIRLS 2007 40 50 A BOYS 44 55 45

Thank you for listening …. Any Questions??

PTL Coach – Mark Skillen Mark_skillen@hotmail.co.uk Secretary – Louise McBride mcbride126@btinternet.com Any swimmers born 1997-2006 will fall into the PTL category

PTL The Provincial Towns League is the next level of competition up from the AquaSprints Junior League. Individual events are 50m on all strokes and 100m IM, girls and boys.  Relay events are 4 x 25m for A group and 4x50m for B,C and D. We are currently in Division 2 Age groups for 2015-2016:- A born 2005 or later (10 years and younger) B born 2003 or 2004(11/12 years) C born 2001 or 2002 (13/14 years) D born 2000 or earlier (15 years and over)   The PTL Finals are scheduled for Saturday DATE 2016.

Club Squad The Club Squad has been introduced for those swimmers who do not meet the full criteria (qualifying IM times) required for the Senior Squad, but are proficient to a competitive level across all four strokes and racing dives. It allows for further development of their skills and training capacity. The training emphasis of Club Squad will be on continued fitness development and advanced swimming technique. In addition to group instruction, the coaches endeavour to give specific, individual feedback using stroke analysis and other methods to help swimmers improve. Club Squad swimmers will be expected to attend time trials (Sept, Jan & March) and are encouraged to participate in Open Galas to further their competitive experience. They may also be asked to swim in the PTL League.

Entry into Club Squad Club Squad swimmers are expected to attend training regularly. They are offered 3 training sessions per week and are required to meet these entry times in order to remain within the competitive environment of the club. There is NO consideration time for entry into the club squad. B Group 2003-2004 C Group 2001-2002 D Group 2000+ GIRLS Tbc BOYS

Senior Squad This Squad is offered the highest level of training and represents a pursuit of excellence both in and out of the water. The Senior Squad will be offered stroke analysis and improvement - both in groups and individually, to increase their overall training capacity (Time, Distance, Effort), dry land training as well as extended pool training and development. Respect for the club, coaches and team mates along with consistent and intense training are critical to the success of each individual and ultimately the team. Swimmers are expected to maintain a high level of attendance in order to maximise their development.

Entry into Senior Squad The time is based on an average IM time as stipulated by the Coach – there is a 2 second consideration time which swimmers may request to join the Senior Squad – this will be based on their training ability. However they must be within the consideration IM time in order to advance onto the Senior Squad. Age 11-13 MUST attend 2 out of 4 available sessions Age 14+ MUST attend 3 out of 4 available sessions Land training can only run with suitable numbers. It is important for senior squad swimmers to make an effort to attend regularly. IM ENTRY TIME B Group 2003-2004 C Group 2001-2002 D Group 2000+ GIRLS 108.87 95.19 85.18 BOYS 103.72 94.39 77.68

Senior Squad are expected to give priority to these dates PTL GALA DATES 26th September 2015 24th October 2015 21st November 2015 23rd January 2016 20th February 2016 19th March 2016 – PTL Heats - Letterkenny 16th April 2016 – PTL Finals - Ballymena Senior Squad are expected to give priority to these dates

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OPEN GALAS Aquasprints – Core ‘A’ , ALL B&C PTL – Club & Senior Squad Open Gala Secretary – Louise McBride mcbride126@btinternet.com Aquasprints – Core ‘A’ , ALL B&C PTL – Club & Senior Squad are able to enter where they meet the criteria

Open Galas OG Secretary - Louise McBride ‘A’ Core AquaSprints, ALL B & C AquaSprints, Club & Senior Squad Open Galas are open to any swimmers who fall into the groups above to enter, subject to them meeting the qualifying conditions, which vary from competition to competition. Individual swimmers are provided with the opportunity to experience competition at regional, national and even international level. Participation promotes a sense of individual achievement and enhances the overall club profile. Participation in Open Galas requires a significant commitment to training and dedication from both swimmer and parent. 

Development Galas 4 each season One day gala Usually run on a sat or sun No QT needed 4 entries only per meet 9yrs + £5 per entry- payable by swimmer Swimmers with more than 3 QTs can’t enter Medals for fastest 3 swimmers in each age group EVENTS – 100M + Open to all swimmers registered with a swimming club regardless of ability

Qualifying Galas 3 each season Run over 3 days Minimum age 9yrs 3 QTs minimum needed to enter QTs must have been achieved in past 12 months No max on entries but 3 bonus swims allowed if only 3 QTs achieved Medals for fastest 3 swimmers in each age group Full Olympic program plus 50m BC,BS,BF,100M IM,MENS 800M FS & WOMENS 1500M FS £5 per event payable by swimmer

Ulster Age Groups & Youth Championships LC 50M pool Run over 3 days 9-16yrs GIRLS 9-17yrs BOYS 100M+ events plus relays Can enter any event with a QT Swimmers with more than 3 QTs can enter add 2 swims £5 per entry payable by swimmer Medals for fastest 3 Ulster swimmers in each age group

Irish Age Groups Division 1&2 LC 50M pool Div 1 held in Dublin in July (5 days) Div 2 held in Limerick in June(3 days) QTS needed Swimmers with 1 QT can enter 2 add swims Swimmers with 2 QTs can enter 1 add swim (restricted events and only if meet consideration times) 8 euro entry fee payable by swimmer Swimmers with Div 1 times can’t swim in Div 2 gala Swimmers who make Div 1 times in the Div 2 gala can’t enter Div 1 gala until following season Entry times must be obtained with electronic timing QTs must have been achieved in last 15 months

Swim Ulster Festival One day event 50m events + 9yrs + 3 entries only but can also swim in relays Usually held in June Medals for 3 fastest swimmers in each age group No QTs required Swimmers with Div 2 times excluded £5 per entry payable by swimmer

Club Fundraising Galas Run throughout the year Held by clubs to raise funds Bangor has 3 throughout the year LC & SC Antrim championships run by Larne & Lisburn 2 days held in spring Ards Junior open meet- 25m events for 9yrs and under 50m for 10yrs & 11yrs also in spring No QTs required Entry fees paid by swimmers Medals awarded for fastest 3 in each age group

Why Enter? It’s fun! Chance to get to know your teammates better Swim for yourself Improve your PBs Try out different distances Swim strokes that you don’t usually get to race in  

Housekeeping Fees payable by swimmer Parents must be willing to officiate if required Entries must be in by closing date Please provide contact info, d.o.b and fees with entry

Thank you for listening …. Any Questions??