Coach – Guy Fawkes
Our Masters Squad is designed for swimmers aged 18 and over who are committed to hard work and personal development in the water. Squad members consistently strive to reach their full potential. Our coached programme features structured sessions emphasising stroke improvement, cardiovascular activities and progressive fitness training. Our Masters programme runs alongside our Senior Swim programme with separate lanes for purely Masters swimmers.
Squad Expectations:
- Will have total commitment to training.
- Will have all required kit and training aids.
- Will be on time for all sessions – Be ready on poolside, with all equipment, 10 minutes before the start of session.
- Will communicate with their squad coach via Spond at least 30 minutes prior to a session if unable to attend.
- Will compete in a minimum of 4 swimming competitions per annum and willing, when invited, to participate in team events.
- Billingham ASC Masters home gala is mandatory.
- Will be independent with a strong understanding of self and the sport.
- Will take ownership and responsibility of their journey.
- Will be able to distinguish short- and long-term gain; will not chase instant gratification at the risk of compromising long term development and success.
- Must be coachable—open to feedback and eager to explore new ideas in the pursuit of development. They should demonstrate a growth mindset, embrace continuous improvement and actively seek opportunities to learn and develop.
- Will be an Ambassador for the Club – demonstrating the positive attitude expected of an adult swimmer and acting as an example to swimmers in other squads.
Squad Objectives:
- To enhance stroke technique – Focus on improving efficiency and optimizing each swimmer’s form across all strokes.
- To encourage members to set and track personal performance goals (times, distances, stroke count, etc).
- To build endurance by increasing aerobic capacity and anaerobic threshold to support longer swims and sprint work.
- To prepare member for local, national or international Masters competitions.
Competitions:
- British Championships
- National Championships
- Masters Galas
Below are the required training times for this squad and will be by invitation of the Head Coach only.
| Wednesday | Billingham Forum | 5.00 pm – 7.00 pm |
| Saturday | Billingham Forum | 6.30 am – 8.00 am |
Where necessary, a review process will take place at 3, 6 and 12 months. Reviews will take place with the coach and swimmer. Membership to this squad is dependent on compliance to the respective criteria sheet. If all criteria are not met or it is deemed that the required effort is not evident, then the swimmer will be asked to forfeit their place in the squad.