Our Squads

Our club structure provides flexible, progressive pathways so that every swimmer can reach their full potential—without being locked into a single, rigid track. From the foundational Academy, Development, and Potential squads, swimmers may follow a route into our Performance (Regional/National level), Competitive (County level), or Club (fitness-focused) sections. We continuously assess each swimmer’s age, physical maturity, training ability, performance, and personal goals to ensure they’re placed in the squad that best supports their growth. In alignment with the British Swimming Optimal Athlete Development Framework, our Performance and Competitive pathways foster high-level achievement while emphasizing shared values of commitment, respect, and community. Ultimately, we aim to help each swimmer develop as both an athlete and an individual, proudly representing WNSC in and out of the pool.

The Pathways

flowchart LR %% ────── NODES ────── WNSC_A["WNSC
Academy"] JD["Junior
Development"] JP["Junior
Potential"] JC["Junior
Competitive"] CP["Competitive
Plus"] YC["Youth
Competitive"] JPf["Junior
Performance"] YP["Youth
Performance"] SP["Senior
Performance"] C["Club"] M["Masters"] S["Senior"] HJP["Hunstanton
Junior Potential"] HJC["Hunstanton
Junior Competitive"] HCP["Hunstanton
Competitive Plus"] %% ────── MAIN CLUB PATH ────── WNSC_A --> JD --> JP --> JC --> CP --> YC --> YP --> SP JP <--> C JC <--> C CP <--> C CP <--> JPf JPf --> YC JPf --> YP YP <--> S S <--> SP S --> M SP --> M C --> M YC --> M %% ────── HUNSTANTON PATH ────── HJP --> HJC --> HCP HCP --> JPf HCP --> YC

General Squad Values and Expectations

  • Be honest and think about what is the right thing to do – it’s not always the easy option.

  • Be committed to being the best you can be - Always give your best and be coachable i.e. prepared to listen to the coach and work effectively to meet training targets and long term goals.

  • Be well behaved and respectful to the coaching staff, swimmers, officials and poolside helpers both at training and competition.

  • Have fun and support each other, be positive, enjoy training and value competition but remember to respect your opponent and be a good sportsperson at all times.

  • Arrive on time for all sessions and with the correct kit.

  • Enter designated competitions for your squad and enter a wide range of events.

  • Be available to represent the club at team galas for which you are selected.

  • Aim to achieve goals for yourself not to please others.

  • This is the perfect bridge between swimming lessons and club training, helping young swimmers gain confidence, refine fundamental strokes, and learn basic training habits. Through fun, skills-focused sessions, participants develop the technique and readiness they need to smoothly transition into our more structured Junior Development Squad and beyond.

    Ages 7-11 as of 31st December

  • Swimmers focus on fundamental skill development. Swimmers are working to maintain techniques and skills in preparation for participation in competition. Those who are old enough to compete will be invited to do so in a mixture of team events, mini meets and open meets when they are ready.

    Ages 7-11 as of 31st December

  • Swimmers focus on improving their skill development with the aim being to qualify for County Championships in the future. The training program targets stroke and skill development whilst introducing training to develop the aerobic system. Competitive opportunities will increase for all swimmers aged 10+ in this squad and should be optimised as important experience in a competitive environment.

    Ages 8-12 as of 31st December

  • For swimmers focused on qualifying for and competing at the County Championships. The training program targets stroke and skill development with an increase in stamina and endurance, preparing for maintenance of skills in competition. Competitions for this squad will be within the Region. Swimmers will be invited to a Swim Camp each season and are encouraged to attend this. Swimmers have achieved or working to achieve County qualifying times for the season. At the Head Coach’s discretion other swimmers may be deemed eligible for this squad if they meet the squad expectations and can withstand the training intensity maintain the desired skill standards. Ages:

    Male 10-14 / Females 9-14 as of 31st December

  • For swimmers committed to qualifying for and racing at the County Championships. The programme emphasises stamina and endurance while refining stroke technique and skills, serving as a bridge toward Youth or Performance pathways. Competitions are chiefly within the Region, with one away meet each season to broaden race experience. Swimmers are invited to a seasonal Swim Camp and are strongly encouraged to attend. Squad members have already achieved County qualifying standards; others may join at the Head Coach’s discretion if they meet expectations and can sustain the training intensity while upholding skill standards.

    Ages: Male 11–15 / Females 10–15 as of 31 December.

  • Junior Performance Squad is for swimmers competing at county level and progressing towards Regional & National Championships. Competitions will be located both in and out of the region to develop the necessary experience for achieving these goals and future progression in the sport. Swimmers are expected to attend a seasonal swim camp for improved independence and experience. The main emphasis of the training program is continuing development of stamina and endurance combined with great stroke and skill technique. Swimmers have multiple county qualifying times and are within 5% of two East Region long course qualifying times for the season (at least 1 time must be in an event longer than 50m). At the Head Coach’s discretion other swimmers may be deemed eligible for this squad if they meet the squad expectations and can withstand the training intensity and maintain desired skill levels.

    Ages Males 11-15 / Females 11-14 as of 31st December

  • Is a group for those who are swimming mainly for fitness, supporting other sports and interests or cannot meet or do not want the commitment of the attendance criteria or expectations of the competitive or performance squads within the club. Swimmers may enter this squad from a range of squads within the club, there is no minimum attendance criteria, but plenty of opportunity for athletes to progress as swimmers. Swimmers who wish to progress from Club Squad back into a Competitive Squad should discuss the necessary requirements with the Head or Assistant Coach.

    Ages 12-17yrs as of 31st December

  • Is for swimmers competing at county level and working toward regional level competitions. Competitions will be located both in and out of the region to develop the necessary experience for achieving these goals. Swimmers who are consistently attending and showing the expected attitude and behaviours in training will be invited to attend a seasonal intensive training camp for improved independence, experience and physiological adaptation. The training program of this squad prioritises physiological, technical and tactical development. Swimmers have achieved multiple county qualifying times for the season. At the Head Coach’s discretion other swimmers may be deemed eligible for this squad if they meet the squad expectations and can withstand the training intensity.

    Ages Male 14-18 / Female 13-18 as of 31st December

  • Is for swimmers competing at regional level and working toward national level competitions. Competitions will be located both in and out of the region to develop the necessary experience for achieving excellence in the sport. Swimmers are expected to attend a seasonal intensive training camp for improved independence, experience and physiological adaptation. The training program of this squad prioritises physiological, technical and tactical development for optimal performance at Championship competitions. Swimmers are within 3% of an East Region short course or long course qualifying time for the season. At the Head Coach’s discretion other swimmers may be deemed eligible for this squad if they meet the squad expectations and can withstand the training intensity and maintain desired skill levels.

    Ages Male 14-18 / Female 13-18 as of 31st December

  • Acts as a transition squad between swimming as a young person and the Masters groups. Swimmers may enter this squad from a range of squads within the club, there is no minimum attendance criteria, but plenty of opportunity for athletes to progress as competitive swimmers. In addition to the training sessions listed, swimmers can pre-arrange additional sessions each week (pay as you go) with the Head Coach. This is essential for swimmers who want to move from Senior back into one of the competitive or performance squads and are therefore aiming to demonstrate their commitment and improve their fitness.

    Ages 17+ as of 31st December

  • Is for swimmers competing at regional level and working toward national level competitions. Competitions will be located both in and out of the region to develop the necessary experience for achieving excellence in the sport. Swimmers are expected to attend a seasonal intensive training camp for improved independence, experience and physiological adaptation. The training program of this squad prioritises physiological, technical and tactical development for optimal performance at Championship competitions. Swimmers have achieved multiple East Region short course or long course qualifying times for the season and have a goal of working towards swimming at the Summer National Championships. At the Head Coach’s discretion other swimmers may be deemed eligible for this squad if they meet the squad expectations and can withstand the training intensity and maintain desired skill levels.

    Ages 16+ as of 31st December

  • Is a squad for adults who want to balance swimming for fitness with ongoing skill development and the option to compete at open meets or Masters-specific events. Admission is open from any squad within the club and also provides a direct pathway for competitive swimmers returning to the sport after a break. Sessions are structured to deliver challenge, camaraderie, and clear routes for those aiming to race at local, regional, or national Masters level.

    Ages 18+ as of 31st December

Select the squad to view its training schedule

DayLocationTypeTimeDuration
Swim England Affiliated Club logo with blue wave design and red and blue text.
Swim England Norfolk logo with stylized blue swimmer icon and text in blue, red, and black.
Swim England East Region logo with stylized blue waves and text in blue and red.
SwimMark Essential Club logo with text in black, red, and orange.
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