Academy 1

(Two Sessions / 2:30 Hours / £30 Per Month)

This is the entry and foundation level of the club. This is the most important programme as it is where vital development skills, technique and character building are taught for swimmers to use throughout their athletic career. The Academy focuses on skills, skills and more skills! A fast swimmer with poor technique and skills will only go so far. A swimmer with great skill and technique can go on to achieve great things. 

Swimmers will have achieved as a minimum of Stage 7 of the Swim England Learn to Swim Framework or equivalent. Swimmers should have a basic understanding of all four competitive strokes. 

Swimmers in the Academy programme will in general be between 7 and 10 years of age to fit with the long term athlete development guidelines. Swimmers are expected to compete in all strokes, distances and Individual Medley events. Progression both within and from the Academy programme will be based on skill set, technique, enthusiasm, behaviour and attendance. All squad moves will be at the discretion of the Coaching Team. 

The Academy 1 squad is the entry level for the Academy Programme. Swimmers will have achieved as a minimum of Stage 7 of the Swim England Learn to Swim Framework or equivalent. Swimmers should have a basic understanding of all four competitive strokes.  The main focus of the squad is on skill development, technique and body position 

Swimmers in Academy 1 will: 

• Learn competitive skills such as starts, turns and finishes 
• Learn underwater skills 
• Develop legal movements on all four strokes 
• Develop basic drill movements on all four strokes 
• Understand lane discipline 
• Be introduced to use of the pace clock 
• Work towards passing Club Awards 1 & 2     

Criteria to move to Academy 2:

• Swimmers must be able to consistently perform legal skill movements on all four strokes 
• Display a basic understanding of the skills expected for Academy 2 
• Show an understanding of basic drill movements on all four strokes 
• Demonstrate streamline positions off all walls, with correct legal underwater phases 
• Be able to kick 100m with correct legal technique on all four strokes at a basic level 
• Show progression on competitive starts, turns and finishes 
• Passed Club Awards 1 & 2 

Academy 1 Skill List: 

Freestyle 

• No breathing on breakout 
• No breathing last 5m 
• 2-3 or more kicks off every wall 
• Breathe every 3 or 4 strokes

Backstroke 

• Breakout at the flags on competitive push offs 
• Finish on back (count strokes from flags every time)

Breaststroke 

• Hold each underwater phase for 2 seconds 
• Turn and finish with 2 hands

Butterfly 

•  Breathe every 2 strokes 
• 2-3 kicks or more off every wall 

Turn and finish with 2 hands

Other Key Skills 

• Perform a legal competitive start with the correct use of the appropriate underwater phase 
• Be in a streamlined position off every wall

Event Hours(2)

• Monday

  18.00 – 19.00

  Oswestry School Pool

• Thursday

  18.00 – 19.30

  Oswestry School Pool