Why have a squad structure?
As well as enabling effective administration of club policy and procedure and including a simple and accurate billing process for our members (an essential part of any club), a formal and comprehensive squad structure ensures a clearly defined progression path for our swimmers. The different levels within the structure provide an effective athletic pathway delivered by the coaching team.
A Lead Coach is assigned to each squad/level, with overall co-ordination by the Head Coach. Lead Coaches are responsible for their designated squads, supported by other coaches who may also take training sessions, and offer a first point of contact for parents (by arrangement), and swimmers.
Progression through to higher squads is linked to several different criteria; from personal commitment and attitude to training, progressive performance and competition entry/performance, to athletic potential, age and physical development. Promotions are considered through ongoing review and assessment. All promotions are at the discretion of the Head Coach in liaison with Lead Coaches and other members of the Coaching Team, including Support Coaches.
Support Coaches are our team of volunteer coaches. Many are swimmers from our club who have experience in competition swimming or are following a route into professional coaching themselves. Support Coaches are under the supervision of the Lead Coach and enable training sessions to be delivered more extensively.
The EGSC squad structure was comprehensively overhauled in October 2021, and has now been updated for the 2025/26 swimming season.
Overview –
TRAINING SQUADS
Training Squad: Learning to train (60mins/week)
Our entry-level squad, often for those from swim schools wishing to take their swimming development further. This squad primarily focuses on stroke technique and introduces swimmers to competition skills (starts, turns & underwater transitions), through both teaching and coaching methods. Swimmers are encouraged to start competing in club-specific meets (listed below) with the guidance of their coach.
Monthly fee: £42.50
COMPETITION SQUADS
Competition 3 Squad: Introduction to competition training and competition entry (2x60mins/week)
Swimmers move to Competition 3 when stroke technique is becoming more established. An additional training session helps to build on their stamina and speed while holding stroke technique, as well as developing more consistent competition-legal skills. Competition 3 swimmers also benefit from training alongside the next squad and are encouraged to begin entering chosen events at some level 3 competition meets with the guidance of their coaches.
Monthly fee: £54
Competition 2 Squad: Training to compete and increased competition entry (2x90mins/week)
Competition 2 begins to include higher intensity training as well as longer sessions across the week (2x 90mins). This squad aims to build speed and stamina while still maintaining stroke technique, and further honing more competent and effective competition skills. Competition 2 also forms an essential stage of preparation for the next, higher-level squad as swimmers continue to improve on their performance. Competition 2 swimmers compete in Club Championships, inter-club league team galas and can also expect to enter designated meets.
Monthly fee: £63
Competition 1 Squad: Specific competition training and introducing more regular competition entry (3x90mins/week)
Competition 1 represents our first stage of comprehensively structured competition training. All swimmers are expected to develop their strokes and skills with the aim to enhance their performance through regular entry into competition meets. Swimmers at this level are encouraged to focus more closely on their chosen ‘no.1’ stroke, while still developing the other strokes. An invitation may also be offered to the top-end swimmers to train alongside the performance squads enabling them to boost their training further. It is important that Competition 1 swimmers take advantage of the full compliment of their training sessions, and the competition programme.
Monthly fee: £71
PERFORMANCE SQUADS
Performance 3 Squad: Introduction to performance training and higher-level competition entry (4x90mins/week)
Performance 3 squad offers a much higher intensity of training, reflecting a similar programme to the most senior squads. Training programmes more directly relate to the annual competition calendar and introduce swimmers to a series of bi-annual Test Sets. Swimmers now begin to train with more specific targets in mind, in respect of both strokes and specific competition events at Sussex County level and aspire to qualify at SE Regional level. It is essential for swimmers to prioritise their training sessions to give them the best opportunity to achieve their goals.
Monthly fee: £76.50
Performance 2 Squad: Performance and competition-specific training, with regular competition entry (5x90mins/week)
As swimmers’ performance reaches a consistently high level the need for additional training becomes more important. Performance 2 squad offers a further 90mins of training every week (giving a total of 7.5hrs). While these swimmers may compete at Sussex County level, and also at SE Regional level, there is the opportunity to identify personal goals more specifically and have a more direct approach to them during training.
The Performance 2 training programme includes a higher intensity series of Test Sets, the potential for more personalised training programmes within the group sessions, and long-course training sessions at set times throughout the season.
Monthly fee: £82
Performance 1 Squad: Advanced performance and targeted competition training, ensuring all relevant competition attendance (6x90mins/week)
Performance 1 sees swimmers reach the highest level of the club’s squad structure, offering the maximum training opportunities, with 9 hours of training available. Swimmers at this level strive to achieve their full potential, not only through all the normal training practices, including long-course sessions, but also with more personalised training targets and defined goals. At this level, swimmers should be entering all meets targeted by the club that they qualify for, should also qualify at both County and Regional level in multiple events, and aspire to reach National level in specifically targeted events.
Monthly fee: £87
CLUB SQUADS
These squads train in tandem with the competition or performance squads. Swimmers are expected to train at the same level as the competition/performance swimmers and may still be selected for league gala teams.
Club 1 and 2 Squads: (1 or 2x90mins/week respectively)
These Club squads allow swimmers who are new to competition training or are still developing their performance to swim alongside swimmers in their own age group, with a view to moving to a more senior group.
Monthly fee: £52 or £63 respectively
Club 3 and 4 Squads: (2 or 3x90mins/week respectively)
Much like Club 1 & 2 squads, Club 3 & 4 accommodates swimmers with different aims to continue to swim alongside their peers. These squads allow those who have previously competed for a number of years but have chosen to reduce their competition entry, or are unable to train as regularly, but still wish to train at a high level, to continue to do so with their original squads. Club swimmers still represent the club in team gala events and are encouraged to continue to compete in Club Championships.
Monthly fee: £63 or £71 respectively
ADULT SQUAD
Masters Squad: (1 or 2x90mins/week)
Open to swimmers aged 19+, although existing junior members who turn 19 need not automatically move to the Masters squad. Masters sessions aim to develop adult swimmers’ strokes, maintain and build fitness and support those wishing to compete In Masters competitions to enhance their competitive swimming through further stroke development and racing skills.
We offer taster sessions for this squad before you sign up as a member. To enquire about a taster session please click here.
Monthly fee: £36.50 or £52