teamipswich Squad Structure
Our swimming pathway supports swimmers from their first lessons through to competitive performance, while recognising that every swimmer's journey is different.
Finding the right pathway for every swimmer
Our squad structure is designed to help swimmers develop at the right pace and in the environment most suited to their needs. Progression is not automatic or necessarily linear. Coaches consider each swimmer's development, attendance, commitment, attitude, performance and potential when recommending the most appropriate placement.
Your Swimming Journey
From learning to swim through to our senior performance environment.
Swim Academy
Instruction follows the Swim England framework, developing water confidence, technique and the fundamental swimming skills needed to progress.
Step Up Squad
The key bridge between Swim Academy and squad swimming, helping swimmers make the transition from lessons into a club training environment.
From lessons to squad swimmingDevelopment Squad
A skill-development squad with a primary focus on instruction and continuing to improve swimming fundamentals, while introducing swimmers to competitive swimming.
B Squad
A performance squad focused on developing young talent and building the skills, training habits and experience needed for competitive progression.
A Squad
A performance squad continuing the development of talented swimmers through increasingly demanding training and competition.
Top Squad
The club's senior performance environment, giving talented swimmers the opportunity to pursue the highest levels of competitive swimming.
Performance standards are an important part of squad placement, but do not automatically determine progression. Coaches also consider a swimmer's overall development, consistency, attendance, commitment, attitude and potential.
Other Swimming Pathways
Not every swimmer follows the performance pathway. TeamIpswich provides other opportunities to train, compete and enjoy swimming.
Club Squad
For swimmers who want to continue training and maintain fitness, with a focus on County Championships and local open meets.
Para Squad
Specialist instruction and coaching for para swimmers. Where appropriate, swimmers may also integrate into competitive and performance squads based on their ability to participate in the relevant training and competition environment.
Masters
Training for swimmers aged 18 and over who want to train alongside other like-minded swimmers, with opportunities to compete at Masters level.
Social Swimming
Sessions for adult swimmers aged 18 and over who want to swim for fitness in a structured club environment.
How Squad Movement Works
The pathway is a guide rather than a fixed ladder. Squad placement is regularly reviewed so swimmers train in the environment most appropriate for their development.
Every swimmer is different
Swimmers may not progress through every squad in the performance pathway.
Performance matters
County, Regional and National qualifying standards provide important benchmarks as swimmers progress.
We consider the whole swimmer
Performance, consistency, attendance, commitment, attitude and potential all contribute to placement decisions.
Placements are reviewed
Squad placement is kept under review to make sure the training environment remains appropriate for each swimmer.
Movement is not one-way
Swimmers can move between different parts of the club's pathway where another squad better meets their current needs.
Alternative pathways remain available
Swimmers who move away from the performance pathway can continue to have opportunities to swim and develop within the club.
Squad placement decisions
Squad selection and movement decisions are made by the Head Coach and coaching team. Published criteria provide guidance, but individual circumstances and the swimmer's overall development will also be considered.
You need to log in to Twitter/X to see this feed.
Follow Us
