Player Improvement

Partnership Athlete Improvement Programme

The District Regional Squad programme, which was introduced by Scottish Swimming in September 2005, aims to raise the standard of development of local swimmers by running sixteen balanced Regional Squads throughout the country.

The programme is monitored by the Performance Director and is delivered by using a number of mentor coaches, with each area being given a designated mentor coach.
Each of the squads will follow a nationally directed programme, with local swimmers and coaches being given guidance and direction on how to improve the standard of performance within their home programme.

The programme will be delivered over three days, which will allow a consistent process of delivery, assessment of progress and development of ability to take place.
It targets swimmers aged 11 years +, with qualifying times, which are published as part Scottish Swimming’s, Performance Plan for Swimming 2005 – 2014, to be achieved between January – August.

Squad selections take place during August, with all Regions running their first training day in September. The day will consist of four hours swimming, one hour land based and one hour of Swimmer Education.

2008/09 Selection Policy

Selection Policy and Times for 2008/09 are now available, please go to Regional Squads.

Local Area Squads

There are now four local area squads up and running in Tayside & Fife. Local Area Squads provide Club swimmers with the first step on the Performance Pathway. The sessions provide swimmers with the opportunity to mix with swimmers of like ability within a structured training environment.
It is hoped that through time, swimmers will progress through time from Area Squad level into the District Regional Programme.

The Fife Area Squad had their first session on Saturday 10 February at the National Swimming Academy. The swimmers took part in an hour long land session followed by a two hour pool session. The Squad were led by Gary Vandermeulen, the Tayside and Fife Performance Coach.

The sessions also provide the setting for Club Coaches and helpers to be mentored by coaches such as Gary, and provide an excellent learning opportunity.

Athlete Education Sessions

A pilot of four introductory sessions are being in run in Dundee at present. These sessions are open to Area Squad and Regional Squad swimmers and are free of charge.

The topics being covered are;

• Introduction to Psychology
• Injury Prevention, Stretching and Posture
• Nutrition
• Hydration

After the four sessions are complete an evaluation will take place and from here an annual programme will be set to be delivered locally Aug 07 – June 08.
It is then hoped to develop this programme within each of the four Local Authorities.