Junior Squad

Head Coach - Louise McBride

Junior Squad Coaching & Teaching Team 

Derek Beattie, Louise McBride, Sharon Anderson, John McCall, Pamela Wainwright, Rachel McBride & Paul Evans

Any swimmers born 2007 - 2010 will fall into the Junior Squad category.

If you have any queries please contact our Membership Secretary via email on 

membership@ballymenaswimmingclub.co.uk

Junior Squad

Aquasprint Galas are the first opportunity for our younger swimmers to swim competitively and are available for any swimmer born 2010 and above.

A total of 40 events are swam, including individual races and team relays. 

All races are 25m only

The Aquasprint League is divided into 5 divisions.  We will remain currently in Division C due to a restructure of the whole Aquasprint format.

This season we will be competing against the following teams:- 

Sat 19th January BASC vs Cookstown

Sat 16th March BASC vs Templemore

Sat 30th March BASC vs Dungannon

Sat 25th May BASC vs Newry & Mourne

Friday 7th June Aquasprints Final

Aquasprint galas are held on Saturday evenings with the exception of the Larne gala this year and last for an hour and a half. 

There will be four galas this year 2 Home and 2 Away galas.

The Aquasprint Finals are scheduled in June 2019.

This year the Aquasprints teams will be led by Sharon Anderson & Pamela Wainwright.  Any queries you may have please contact the Aquasprints team on aquasprints@ballymenaswimmingclub.co.uk

Junior Squad

Junior Squad is divided into two Squads - Sharks & Dolphins

• The Junior Shark Squad will encourage swimmers to focus on advanced drills and skills for all strokes.  In addition, the Squad programme introduces and incorporates a number of new opportunities and skills such as the introduction and understanding of training and racing terminology, goal setting, the ability to maintain a training log book and the opportunity to compete in Open Galas

• Each swimmers attendance and attitude should reflect a commitment to excelling throughout the season and a dedication to all aspects of competitive swimming.  Respect for the club, coaches and team mates alongside consistent and intense training are critical to the success of each individual in the Junior Shark Squad.  Attendance and availability will be monitored closely.

Junior Shark Squad Entry Criteria & Times

Junior Shark Squad criteria and entry times have been determined by our Coaching Team.

Aquasprint Group & Year Born

Group A          -          2010

Group B          -          2009

Group C          -          2008

Group D          -          2007

For ALL Groups swimmers must be :-

Competent across all four strokes and can streamline from a push

In addition swimmers in Groups C & D must be able to :

• Streamline off wall to head past flags (Group C)
• Streamline off wall to hips past flags (Group D)
• Tumbleturn and dolphin streamline
• Dive from the block
• Swim 400m FS without stopping.

Entry to Sharks will also require the following times detailed below : -

• Group A & B must achieve 2 out of the 4 times
• Group C must achieve 3 out of 4 times
• Group D must achieve 4 out of 4 times

In addition Groups A & B must complete an 100m IM in under 3:00 mins

In addition Groups C & D must complete an 100m IM in under 2:30 mins

Junior Shark Squad Entry Times from Sept 2018

Entry to Sharks will also require the following times detailed below : -

• Group A & B must achieve 2 out of the 4 times
• Group C must achieve 3 out of 4 times
• Group D must achieve 4 out of 4 times

In addition Groups A & B must complete an 100m IM in under 3:00 mins

In addition Groups C & D must complete an 100m IM in under 2:30 mins

Dolphin Criteria

If there is space in the club and the swimmer is under the age of 12.  This is where a swimmer will automatically begin their BASC Journey.  However, a coach will assess the swimmer before joining to make sure they meet the after standards of our L2S program.

• The A Group Junior Dolphin Squad is based around the knowledge that ‘Practice makes Permanent’.  The swimmers will develop their aerobic base (swimming distances) and learn swimming terminology.  New skills that are introduced are the Individual Medley, perfect streamlines off the walls.  Starts, dives and gala participation (including Time Trials and mainly home Aquasprint Galas).  It is important to ensure that efficient and correct technique is being instilled throughout our Junior Development Squad in order to maximise their growth and progression throughout the season.

• B, C & D Group Junior Dolphin Squad swimmers will focus on advances drills and skill acquisition for all strokes as well as continuing to develop their aerobic endurance and swimming terminology.  They will learn to perform streamlines consistently, Breaststroke Pull-outs and must be above to complete a 100m Individual Medley.  Other skills acquired include reading the pace clock, turns and core body strength building.