Welcome to the Parnell Swimming Club swimmer journey! Our squad structure is designed as a progressive pathway, guiding swimmers from their first club experience to reaching their full potential. Each stage is carefully designed to develop the technical skills, physical endurance, and mental focus appropriate for that level. Our goal is to provide a clear, supportive, and motivating environment for every athlete.

Junior Squad

Aimed at swimmers aged 9-12, this squad is the next step for those graduating from Junior Prep or joining from strong external programs. This is where swimmers begin to truly understand what it means to be a competitive athlete, focusing on building their engine and mastering race skills.

Focus

The Junior Squad consolidates and refines technique across all four strokes. Training focuses on developing efficient kicking, mastering legal turns and finishes (especially for the Individual Medley), and building a strong aerobic base. Swimmers learn how to use the pace clock accurately and understand the structure of a training set, preparing them for club-level competitions.

Is your swimmer ready for Junior Squad?

  • They can demonstrate legal and efficient technique in Freestyle, Backstroke, and Breaststroke over 100m.

  • They show basic proficiency in Butterfly kick and body motion.

  • They can competently perform race-legal turns and finishes.

  • They understand basic pace clock instructions.

  • (Entry is based on coach assessment of skill and readiness. Time guides are used as benchmarks to ensure a swimmer can keep up with the squad's training pace.)

Training Commitment

Swimmers are expected to attend a minimum of 3 out of the 4 offered sessions per week to build consistency and endurance.

Goals

  • Learn how to train with aerobic/endurance and speed sessions

  • Further development of the 4 strokes

  • Good technique

  • Good turns and starts

  • Knowing and following the swimming rules for competition

  • Consistent routine and sessions per week

  • Level 3 meet attendance

Equipment Needed:

  • Gaining Level 2 qualifying times

  • Work towards ASA qualifying times

  • Consistent commitment to training sessions - expected

  • Swimming competition attendance - expected

  • Holiday programme attendance - expected

  • Build up endurance and speed

  • Applying yourself in all training by giving 100%

The Next Step

Upon demonstrating advanced skills, a strong work ethic, and meeting performance benchmarks, swimmers will be invited by their coach to transition to the Junior Development Squad.