Tea Tree Gully's Swimming program caters to a broad range of levels for competitive and recreational swimmers. The swimming program is available to members of the Tea Tree Gully Swimming Club who are registered with Swimming SA.

It is important that as either a swimmer or a parent you understand the operation of the competitive squads and coaching program.

The Squad is divided into four groups: Performance Squad, Development Squad, Intermediate Squad and Junior Squad; each having its own accredited Level One Coach.

Summer training is held at Waterworld, Golden Grove Road (see Map)

Winter training is conducted at both The Hampstead Centre, Hampstead Road (see Map) and The Strathmont Centre, Grand Junction Road (see map)

There is no training on public holidays and limited training during public school holidays. Details will be advised via the Newsletter.

The Coaching Staff are appointed by the Tea Tree Gully Swimming Club and provide their services exclusively to the Club. Coaches are bound by the Coaching Code of Conduct prescribed by Swimming SA and are accountable for their coaching to the Club Committee.

If in doubt about the placement of your child in a squad you may approach their Coach for clarification but note that the Coaching Staff will determine the appropriate squad for your child.

Placement will be based on the swimmers attendance; technique, times, and ability in each stroke; application and ability; and endurance. If swimmers are unable to complete the required training for a squad they may be moved to another squad. The coaches are the best judges of each child's capabilities and will not promote simply for the sake of convenience or favouritism. The Coaching Staff will communicate with swimmers the reasons for their placement at a particular squad level and encourage them to develop their skills.

New swimmers will be assessed on their skills in each stroke, swimming experience and fitness by the Coaching Staff and then assigned to one of the squads. Care is taken in this process, as promoting a swimmer too early in their development may be extremely detrimental in the long term. Since it is important that swimmers are not promoted before they are capable of handling a higher-level squad, we prefer instead to wait until the promotion is earned.

If swimmers or parents have questions or complaints about:

then these questions or complaints should be directed to the Coach concerned in the first instance.

NB: It is important for parents with concerns to speak to the Coach to get all the information on contentious issues.

If this does not resolve the situation the matter should be raised with the Performance Squad Coach (Head Coach) who will take the issue up with the Coach concerned. If this does not resolve the situation the matter should be raised with the Club President or Vice President and then confirmed in writing to the Secretary. The Committee will undertake to resolve the matter in accordance with good practice and the rules of the Club constitution.

Note: If swimmers or parents wish to raise issues or complaints that relate to the failure of coaches to comply with the Swimming Australia Code of Conduct or Member Protection Policy these should be raised immediately with a member of the Executive Committee of the Club.

The squads are structured so as to provide the most challenging environment possible in which our swimmers may strive to attain their individual and team goals.

The Tea Tree Gully Swimming Club seeks to provide an environment in which the following outcomes are achieved:

In addition, Squad Training is organised to ensure:

To achieve the latter two points, swimmers are divided into four squads: Junior, Intermediate, Development, and Performance. The benefits of this squad structure can be seen in the performance improvement of the entire squad, not just the few "top end" swimmers.

The Junior Squad provides an introduction to structured swim training and uses familiarisation activities. The aim of this squad is to provide a non-threatening environment for children who show desire and ability to undertake competitive or recreational swim training. The Squad will learn the skills necessary to make a successful transition from the Learn to Swim program to Squad program.

Suggested number of sessions: 1 to 2 Sessions Per Week

The intermediate Squad provides an introduction to structured swim training and uses familiarisation activities. The aim of this squad is to provide a non-threatening environment for children who show desire and ability to undertake competitive or recreational swim training. The Squad will develop the skills and have more training than the Junior Squad.

Suggested number of sessions: 1 to 3 Sessions Per Week

The Development Squad aims to consolidate the understanding and enjoyment of competitive or recreational swimming and continue to emphasise improvement in technique of all strokes. Basic fitness is introduced for swimmers in this Squad, however the focus remains mainly on technique. It is paramount in the development of young swimmers to ensure correct technique is taught in all strokes.

Suggested number of sessions: 2 to 4 Sessions Per Week

The Performance Squad is aimed at those swimmers, who wish to pursue swimming competitively and who have achieved a certain level of competence. This squad enables swimmers who demonstrate commitment, technique, desire and ability to develop their skills in a more intense, competitive environment. At the discretion of the performance squad Coach, the Performance Squad may also include vintage swimmers who may participate less regularly in training.

Suggested number of sessions: As recommended by Performance Squad Coach

The Club offers two different payment schemes to cater for swimmers with different training needs:

$60.00 per term, which covers the first swim each week.

Additional swims $6.00 per session.

School Holiday training $6.00 per session.

$150.00 per term, which includes unlimited swimming including school holidays.

The Club believes that every child has a right to develop their swimming to their full potential and the Club Committee should be contacted in the event of financial difficulties or other hardship.

For further information about our Squad Training Program, please contact: