Competitive Squad

competitive swimmers swimming butterfly

Make your dream a reality

Nurturing our aspiring swimmers to develop and progress to their full potential becoming the best swimmers they can be.

Inspiring and supporting them to believe in themselves and achieve their goals and dreams.

Our competitive squads provide a pathway for swimmers to progress and develop, supporting them in achieving their full potential within the competitive arena of the sport.

Our coaching team provide expert tuition and guidance, provide a structure that promotes individual development as a competitive swimmer, and supports them achieve their individual goals.

Progression into the different squads is based on multiple factors; squad focus and criteria, swimmer objectives, performance, attendance, commitment, attitude and behaviour.

All these factors are included as part of the coaching teams continual assessment of swimmers, their needs, squad needs and Club development. Whilst there is a guide and criteria for each of our squads, decisions are also made at the discretion of the Lead Coach for that squad, who will be taking in to consideration all the multiple factors, idiosyncratic variables and dynamics.

Junior and Senior Squads

+ JUNIOR 7-12 yrs

The Junior squad’s primary focus is on continuing to teach and support our swimmers as they develop and progress within the competitive swimming arena.

+ Cubs, Bronze, Silver & Gold squads

These squads are the Club’s entry levels into the competitive branch of the club. The primary focus for these young, developmental swimmers is; to develop and refine their stroke techniques across all four-strokes, build their basic racing skills such as starts, turns & finishes. Swimmers will be introduced to important aspects of swimming routines like warm ups and cool downs. Swimmers are expected to attend at least 3 training sessions per week and as this is the start of the competitive stage of swimming, swimmers will be expected to compete at galas as recommended by their coach.

+ Junior Development

The primary focus of this squad is to support swimmers in developing and finessing the necessary swimming skills and techniques to enable them to compete at County & Regional Championships. Swimmers in this squad are expected to train and compete across a range of distances and events from 50m sprints, to 800 & 1500m distance events under their coach’s guidance throughout the swimming season. Swimmers are expected to attend at least 4 training sessions per week.

+ SENIOR 12yrs+

The Senior squad of the Club comprises three squads based on the swimming goals and abilities of our swimmers.

+ Youth Development

This squad supports swimmers who have excellent potential in the competitive swimming arena. They will demonstrate good swimming skills but require further coaching and support in learning and finessing the correct swimming techniques required at the higher end of competitive swimming. Swimmers are expected to attend at least 5 training sessions a week.

+ Senior Development 2

This squad supports swimmers performing at a high level who demonstrate excellent swimming skills. The primary focus for this squad is developing and refining swimming techniques and skills in order to support swimmers to compete at the higher levels of swimming including County & Regional events. Swimmers are expected to attend at least 5 training sessions a week and where possible will be encouraged to engage in additional training opportunities.

+ Senior Development 1

This is the Club’s High Performance Swimming squad. The primary focus of this squad is to provide the optimal environment, coaching, guidance and support for swimmers to compete at the highest levels including Regional & National Swimming Championships and beyond. Swimmers are expected to attend at least 6 training sessions per week, and are encouraged to attend opportunities for further specialised training and swimming camps provided by both the Club and Swim England.

Medway Park - Home to Black Lion, We also train at Cobham Hall, Strood Leisure Centre and Cozenton Park Sports Centre.

Enquire about joining our Competitive Squad