The Teaching & Development Section

This section of the Club has the facility and organisation to cater for approximately 200 children.  There are 15 Teachers ranging from trainees through to ASA qualified Club Coaches and an ASA Tutor.  All teaching is on a voluntary basis and unpaid, although the staff’s attendance and travel costs are subsidised by the Club.  The Club has an active development plan and courses, qualifications or seminars for the coaching staff are subsidised in order to assist in their continuing professional development.

The teaching section consists of 6 non- swimmers/beginner groups and 12 improver groups.  Children are able to join the club at 4 ½ years of age and from there can progress forward using the clubs grading system.  The grading system utilises the Amateur Swimming Association (ASA) National Teaching Plan Swimming.  The grades concentrate on the 4 swimming strokes with a greater degree of proficiency desired as the swimmer progresses through the levels from 1 to 12.  Swimming skills are taught within each grade including flotation, submersion, propulsion and very importantly survival with safe methods of entry.  All of these contribute towards a life skill, which your child will carry through for the rest of their life.  As the confidence and skills develop they move towards competitive swimming and training, which then includes methods of turning and diving.

The Competitive Section ( HERON SWIM TEAM)

This section of the Club provides swimmers with opportunities to progress their swimming skills working to schedules planned by the coaches using an annual plan for development.  A high percentage of swimmers come from the teaching section and these swimmers may be invited to train with the ‘TEAM’ on a trial basis.  Factors which influence this selection are age, technical ability, stamina and speed.  The competitive squad has two groups although they both work together to produce a successful team known as the ‘HERON SWIM TEAM’.  The children start off in a lane designed to improve their technical ability and stamina also at the same time improve their speed.