Squads
Squads
The Squad Program at AKAC is an inclusive pathway to performance where you are encouraged to swim to your fullest potential. Squad aims to assist you in getting everything you can out of your sport, whether you joing for fitness, enjoyment or some healthy competition.
Squad swimmers are assessed on a daily basis with swimmers being moved when applicable standards are reached. Swimmers will be notified and advised when they are ready to move and when they should move depending on the appropriate cycle which the squad is in.
AKAC Squads Development Pathway
Progression through the AKAC Squads development pathway is dependent on not just ability but application to the group and attitude towards the tasks at hand.
There are six levels which comprise the Squad program at Annette Kellerman, please find more information below.
The Squad Program is led by Head Coach Mark Bull.
Select your Squad for more information Expand all
Junior Dolphins
Outline
| Aim | To refine competition skills and to develop a propensity to complete training sessions with good technique and application. |
| General Qualifying Criteria. | Swimmers are generally aged 8-11 years; completes all strokes, completes all skills, selected by the Head coach. |
| Swimmer Commitment. | Swimmers are encouraged to complete two sessions a week. There is 11 sessions on offer. Swimmers looking to move to Bronze Squad will be required to complete a minimum of two sessions a week. Training is year round with a small 2-3 week break over Christmas. |
| Racing Commitment. | Swimmers are encouraged to race monthly in the AKSC Race nights. Being a club member is not necessary but strongly encouraged. Opportunities available will be advised from time to time. Swimmers should be nearing METSEA Championship. |
| Training Cycles. | Training sessions are organised on a 4-week cycle meaning that provided they complete 1 session a week they will complete a focus session on each stroke within the month and skills once a fortnight. Swimmers who train twice a week will complete all strokes within a fortnight and will complete all skills twice within the month. |
| Payment | The easiest method of payment is to stay on Direct Debit as swimmers exit the LTS program. Makeups are not required to be booked in for Squad as swimmers can simply come another day. Swimmers completing more than 2 sessions a week should go to a monthly pass as it works out cheaper. |
| Equipment | Fins, Goggles, cap, drink bottle. |
Training Sessions
| Monday | 3:45 – 4:30pm & 5:30-6:15pm |
| Tuesday | 3:45 – 4:30pm & 5:30-6:15pm |
| Wednesday | 3:45 – 4:30pm & 5:30-6:15pm |
| Thursday | 3:45 – 4:30pm & 5:30-6:15pm |
| Friday | 3:45 – 4:30pm |
| Saturday | 8:30 – 9:15am & 9:15 – 10:00am |
Bronze Squad
Outline
| Aim | To further develop and foster skills and abilities in all 4 strokes whilst encouraging to participate fully in what competitive swimming has to offer. The aim is to qualify and be successful at an area championship level. |
| General Qualifying Criteria. | Swimmers aged 9-12 years. Swimmers are selected at the discretion of the Coach; after demonstrating abilities to complete all 4 strokes, execute race legal skills. Swimmers should show a commitment to swimming and racing. |
| Swimmer Commitment. | Swimmers are expected to attend 2-4 sessions a week. The centre recommends integrating morning training sessions where possible. Saturday morning session combined with Silver & Gold is a strongly encouraged session for swimmers looking to transition. |
| Competition Commitment. | Swimmers are strongly encouraged to compete regularly at race nights, be a member of the club and compete at external development meets. Swimmers should be looking to compete and succeed at Area Championships. |
| Training Cycles. | Swimmers will operate on a 12 week cycle (4 per year) leading up to target competitions. These will consist of area championship meets (1 per season) as well as various other target meets. |
| Payment | Swimmers are advised to pay on the monthly fee. Swimmers in bronze should be averaging more than 2 sessions a week |
| Equipment | Fins, Goggles, cap, drink bottle, kick board, net bag. |
Training Sessions
| Monday | 4:30 – 5:30pm |
| Tuesday | 6:00 - 7:00am & 4:30 – 5:30pm |
| Wednesday | 4:30 – 5:30pm |
| Thursday | 6:00 - 7:00am & 4:30 – 5:30pm |
| Friday | 6:00 - 7:00am & 4:30 – 5:30pm |
| Saturday | 7:00 - 8:30 am |
Silver Squad
Outline
| Aim | Performance at area, Metropolitan and State Level. Refinement of technique, competition plans, race strategy and athlete management. |
| General Qualifying Criteria. | Qualification in multiple events at an area championship level, Swimmers training in Silver Squad are training to compete or qualify for events at a metropolitan, state or National level. |
| Swim/gym training Commitment. | Swimmers are expected to be at the pool ready to complete activation and ready to train prior to all pm sessions. Swimmers should complete 4-5 sessions a week. |
| Competition Commitment. | Swimmers are expected to race monthly in practice, race nights, qualifying meets and other major targeted competitions. |
| Payment | Swimmers are expected to train more 4 times a week and as such should be on a monthly fee. |
| Equipment | Fins, Goggles, cap, drink bottle, kick board, net bag, pull buoy, paddles, snorkel, Thera band, skipping rope. |
Training Sessions
| Monday | 4:30 - 5:45 pm |
| Tuesday | 5:30 – 7:00 am & 4:30 - 5:45 pm |
| Wednesday | 6:00 – 7:30 pm |
| Thursday | 5:30 – 7:00 am & 4:30 - 5:45 pm |
| Friday | 5:30 – 7:00 am & 4:30 - 5:45 pm |
| Saturday | 7:00 – 8:30 am |
Gold Squad
Outline
| Aim | Performance at a national & international level. |
| General Qualifying Criteria. | National age or open Qualifying time. Swimmers are 12 & over with the intention of being competitive at a state or national level. Swimmers training in Gold squad are expected to make a full commitment to swimming both in training & Competition. |
| Swim/gym training Commitment. | Swimmers are expected to complete 6 or more sessions a week as well as all activation prior to pm training sessions and 2-3 Gym sessions as programmed throughout the week. Swimmers over 16 with a monthly membership may complete their program in the gym unsupervised. |
| Competition Commitment. | Swimmers are expected to race monthly in practice, race nights, qualifying meets and other major targeted competitions. |
| Payment | Swimmers are expected to train more 5 times a week and as such should be on a monthly fee. |
| Equipment | Fins, Goggles, cap, drink bottle, kick board, net bag, pull buoy, paddles, snorkel, Thera band, skipping rope. |
Training Sessions
| Monday | 5:45 - 7:45 pm |
| Tuesday | 5:30 – 7:00 am & 5:45 - 7:45 pm |
| Wednesday | 5:45 - 7:45 pm |
| Thursday | 5:30 – 7:00 am & 5:45 - 7:45 pm |
| Friday | 5:30 – 7:00 am & 5:45 - 7:45 pm |
| Saturday | 7:00 – 8:30 am |
Swimfit Squad
Outline
| Aim | To provide stroke correction and fitness to people who may wish to swim for either health, water polo, triathlon or other pursuits. |
| General Qualifying Criteria. | Swimmers should be able to swim all 4 strokes and should have completed at least Junior Squad. Swimmers should be aged between 12-18 and will be permitted into the squad by the head coach. |
| Swimmer Commitment. | Swimmers are encouraged to attend two sessions per week however 1 a week with regularity is accepted. Swimmers may attend as many sessions as they like. |
| Racing Commitment. | Swimmers are not expected to race but are encouraged if they feel that would like to. Swimmers training for other sports should advise the coach of upcoming competitions to help with planning. |
| Payment | Swimmers may pay by either Visit pass or monthly. |
| Equipment | Fins, Goggles, cap, drink bottle. |
Training Sessions
| Monday | 6:15 pm - 7:15 pm |
| Tuesday | 06:00 – 7:00 am |
| Wednesday | 6:15 pm - 7:15 pm |
| Thursday | 06:00 – 7:00 am |
| Friday | 06:00 – 7:00 am & 6:00 - 7:00 pm |
| Saturday | 8:30 - 9:30 am |
Masters Squad
Outline
| Aim | To provide stroke correction and fitness to people over the age of 18 who may wish to swim for fitness, ocean swims or masters competitions. |
| General Qualifying Criteria. | Swimmers should preferably be able to do all 4 strokes. Swimmers in the morning masters squads will complete 2.5km-4km within the session and should be comfortable in doing so. Swimmers completing evening sessions will swim between 1-2km and should be comfortable in doing so. |
| Swimmer Commitment. | Swimmers are encouraged to attend two sessions per week however 1 a week with regularity is accepted. Swimmers may attend as many sessions as they like. |
| Payment | Swimmers may pay by either Visit pass or monthly. Members holding wellness memberships can swim in masters squads with their membership. |
| Equipment | Fins, Goggles, cap, drink bottle. |
Training Sessions
| Monday | |
| Tuesday | 6:00-7:30 am |
| Wednesday | |
| Thursday | 6:00-7:30 am |
| Friday | 6:00-7:30 am |
| Saturday |
