Competitive

Atlantic 5 swimmers are generally 13 years of age and over and are developing competency in all four strokes, turns, and starts. Swimmers may be progressing toward the training expectations of Atlantic 6 but are recognized as either not yet ready for an increased training schedule or as having additional school, sport, or personal commitments that limit the number of practices they can attend each week.

Atlantic 5 provides swimmers with the opportunity to remain involved in competitive swimming while balancing their individual training capacity and other commitments. Swimmers are encouraged to continue developing their technical skills, fitness, race skills, and personal performance while maintaining a positive connection to the team.

Swimmers with multisport interests or other significant commitments are able to train and compete with the Atlantic 5 squad in consultation with the coach. The focus is on making the most of the training opportunities available, maintaining a strong work ethic, and setting appropriate personal goals.

Atlantic 5 swimmers will compete at NS Age Group development meets, NS AA Competition, and, when qualified, NS AAA Championships. Invitational meets or Swimming Canada meets may also be included based on qualification and individual goals. Competitions are generally scheduled once per month over two days but may include longer meets and some travel. Competition opportunities include both short course and long course events.

Swimmers may progress to Atlantic 6 when they demonstrate the readiness, motivation, and ability to manage an increased training schedule, or when their other commitments allow them to take on additional training. Progression will be considered based on training performance, technical development, work ethic, consistency, and readiness for the increased training and competition demands of Atlantic 6.

Atlantic 6 squad swimmers are generally 13 and over, are competent in technique for all strokes, turns, and starts, and have three or more years competitive experience in a broad range of events at NS AA Championship level and higher.  Swimmers are training to compete for personal improvement, for the value of personal fitness, and to contribute to the Team. Atlantic 6 squad swimmers are motivated to improve their personal performance and strive toward NS AAA Championship level and higher.  Swimmers with multisport interests are able to train and compete with Atlantic 6 squad in a consultative relationship with the coach.  To move on to the Atlantic 7 squad they need to be ready to narrow their focus and make swimming their priority for competitive sport.

Training performance measures for eventual moving forward into the Atlantic 7 squad are considered in combination with persistent work ethic and performance intent.  A demonstrated motivation to set challenging personal goals and supporting others in the pursuit of their goals is part of the attitude needed with the Junior squad, and resonates further in the Atlantic 7 squad.  Personal motivation includes aiming to achieve NS-AAA, finalist, podium, and higher standards.

The Atlantic 6 squad’s competition plan includes NS Age Group development meets, NS AA Competition, NS AAA Championships, and may include Invitational meets, or Swimming Canada meets with qualification. Their competitions are generally once per month, scheduled over two days, but may include 3 or 4 day meets and some travel. They include both short course and long course meets. Swimmers may be considered for the Atlantic 7 squad when they have maximized their training with the Atlantic 6 squad, met performance standards including training test results, day-to-day work ethic, technical performance through the season, and readiness for the next level of training and competition challenges.

Atlantic 7 squad is a training and competitive level at which swimmers fine-tune technical and tactical skills. Swimmers must be prepared to participate in challenging training and contribute positively to the training atmosphere.

Commitment to striving for challenging personal goals is expected, with the expectation that athletes will place swimming as the main focus of their personal activities outside of home and academics. The focus is on finalist and podium performances at NS Provincial Championships and working toward achieving standards for National-level competitions.

The Atlantic 7 competition plan includes local age group development short course and long course meets, NS AA and AAA Provincial Championships, select Invitational meets in the Atlantic region, and may include one or more travel competitions outside of the region. All travel competitions can be expected to have qualifying standards. Meet selection for the calendar is a coaching decision and is determined in line with seasonal goals. Additional meets for qualifiers include all levels of National meets as designated by Swimming Canada.

Atlantic 7 swimmers are expected to root their behaviour choices in a way that:

• Supports a culture of providing leadership to other Club swimmers through consistent work ethic, participation in team activities, creating a welcoming team environment, and getting to know and encouraging younger swimmers.

• Supports a culture that is driven by excellence in fitness and personal performance.

• Supports a culture of leaving a positive legacy.

Atlantic 7 swimmers are expected to see themselves as role models for the team and to make choices that support personal and team excellence in athletic performance.

Progression to Atlantic 7 from Atlantic 6 is based on a swimmer's readiness to make swimming a greater priority, demonstrated training commitment, performance standards, technical development, work ethic, and readiness to take on the increased training and competition demands of Atlantic 7.