Minor Pool
On Tuesday evenings, the minor pool at Ballymena Leisure Centre is used for teaching sessions. The sessions are managed by Evan McClintock, one of the club's qualified teaching instructors.
Others assisting during the sessions are primarily parents of children who currently attend the club, past and current swimmers who have been associated with the club over the years.
All parents are actively encouraged to become involved during the sessions either on a volunteer basis or as an "assistant teacher". A short course is available for those wishing to gain assistant teacher certifcation and contribute to the club on a regular basis. The assistant teacher's certificate is a formal qualification which is recognised by the Amateur Swimming Association. Further details are available from Viv Carson - club secretary.
Session schedule for the minor pool:-
6:30 to 7:05pm This session is specifically for beginners and aims to establish basic water competency. During the session children are divided into groups and practise across the width of the pool under the direct supervision of individual assistant teachers and the qualified teaching instructor.
7:05 to 7:40pm As competency and skills develop children are moved to this session to develop basic stroke techniques including breathing. This session is organised utilising the length of the learner pool under the direct instruction of the qualified teaching instructor.
7:40pm to 8:30pm
Children move to this session as competency in the basic strokes progress and techniques improve. The duration of this session is slightly longer, aiming to improving the stamina of the individual children prior to moving to the main pool. Children from this session usually transfer to the 7:05pm in the main pool once they have achieved an adequate standard.
This session is specifically for beginners and aims to establish basic water competency. During the session children are divided into groups and practise across the width of the pool under the direct supervision of individual assistant teachers and the qualified teaching instructor.
As competency and skills develop children are moved to this session to develop basic stroke techniques including breathing. This session is organised utilising the length of the learner pool under the direct instruction of the qualified teaching instructor.
7:40pm to 8:30pm
Children move to this session as competency in the basic strokes progress and techniques improve. The duration of this session is slightly longer, aiming to improving the stamina of the individual children prior to moving to the main pool. Children from this session usually transfer to the 7:05pm in the main pool once they have achieved an adequate standard.