Squad Outline

Our squads branch off from Infant Learn to Swim classes into two, and later three, pathways. Our aim is to promote student participation in the sport or to encourage them to keep active through other water-based sports, such as water polo.

Participation and Development

Our Junior school ages, or the “Sampling” years (Years 3-6), will have two pathways that give students the ability to train and learn at their own level. Coaches will regularly review swimmers to make sure they are being cared for and adequately extended.

Our FUNdamentals squads will be an extension from Learn to Swim, helping students develop their general understanding of the strokes and boost their water literacy. As swimmers get older, this will start to advance into basic enjoyable training (Junior Development).

Number of sessions recommended: 1-2 per week.

Once in the Senior School, students can make appropriate steps into competitive development swimming, however this is at a more basic level and is less intense than our Performance Pathway. Fun competitions will be available. Students can also take up recreational swimming as physical exercise to stay fit and healthy, staying within the Participation Pathway. This is a good opportunity for potential triathletes.

Number of sessions recommended: 1-3 per week.

Competitive Swimming Squads (Development through to Performance)

Mercubs offers a pathway for students to progress into our development pathway. Water literacy and stroke development are still vital; however, we add in more competitive swimming training.

Number of sessions: 1 per week.

Bronze and Silver squads offer a competitive pathway for students to progress. Water literacy and stroke development are still vital, however these groups also focus on the race skills needed to be a competitive swimmer.

Number of sessions recommended: 1-3 per week.

Please note that students transitioning through the Performance Pathway are not restricted based on whether they attend the Junior or Senior schools. A Junior competitive swimmer can be aged up from 13-15 years old. This system is designed to stop what has been an industry mistake of coaching young-age-group swimmers like Olympic athletes.

Performance

Gold and Platinum squads are our competitive and performance squads. These squads’ primary focus is on meets such as the Singapore National Age Groups, and overseas meets such as British or Australian Nationals. Our Performance squads are intended to be small so we can offer individually personalised support to the students. The Senior

Performance Squad benefits from eleven sessions available each week, which include two sessions in a 50m-long indoor course, two strength and conditioning sessions, and one land session led by our team physiotherapist. With world-class coaching and facilities, it is at this stage we aim to support students and extend their potential.

Number of sessions recommended: 3-11 per week, depending on age.

At any point, students can transition across to a less competitive pathway and will have the opportunity to change their minds should they wish to re-join later in their school life.