Squads & Progression Pathway
Aligned with Swim England’s Athlete Development Support Pathway (ADSP)
The Borough of Harrow Swimming Club follows a structured and progressive squad system, aligned with Swim England’s ADSP to ensure appropriate physical, technical, tactical, and psychological development at each stage.
The progression pathway focuses on long-term development—not just early success—preparing swimmers for potential County, Regional, and National-level swimming.
This progression structure is designed to offer a clear pathway for all swimmers—whether they aspire to compete at national level or prefer to maintain swimming alongside other commitments. Each squad aligns with specific development stages in Swim England’s ADSP, ensuring technical, physical, and psychological readiness at each step.
Squad placement is based on the discretion of the Coaching Team, led by the Squad’s Lead Coach and the Head Coach. Age at 31st December 2025
General Expectations:
- Probationary Period (Applicable to All Squads): Minimum 3 months. Swimmers are assessed on:
- Attendance
- Attitude
- Aptitude
- Effort
- Progress
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Minimum Attendance Guideline (Applicable to Performance Pathway Squads)
-
Safe: 75% and above
-
At Risk: 50% – 74%
-
Move: Below 50%
Swimmers are expected to aim for 100% attendance whenever possible.
If a swimmer’s attendance drops below 75% at any point during the season, their family will be asked to meet with the Coach. At this meeting, the swimmer’s commitment will be reviewed and squad placement may be reconsidered if attendance does not meet expectations.
Swimmers whose attendance falls below 50% are considered not meeting the minimum standards for the squad. In such cases, a move to a less demanding squad will be actioned without further warning, unless exceptional circumstances have been communicated and agreed in advance.
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- Training Standards (Applicable to All Squads):
- Full punctuality and preparedness
- Proper kit and attitude
- Focus and effort in all sessions
- Respect towards coaches and teammates
- Competition Participation (Applicable to Performance Pathway Squads) :
- Full participation in the club’s calendar unless excused
- Meet targets and enter required competitions based on squad level.
Performance Pathway
🔹 Development Squad
Age Range: 8–11 years
Training: 4 sessions/week (60–90 mins)
Attendance Requirement: Minimum 75% monthly
Total Training Hours: 4.5 hours/week
Monthly Squad Fee: £50.00
Approximate Cost per Training Hour: £2.77
Lead Coach: Jalall Hessari
DEVELOPMENT SQUAD TIMETABLE
| DAY | VENUE | TIME |
| Monday | Harrow Leisure Centre | 7.00pm-8.00pm |
| Wednesday | Harrow Leisure Centre | 6.00pm-7.00pm |
| Friday | St. Margaret’s Sports Centre | 7.00pm-8.00pm |
| Sunday | St. Margaret’s Sports Centre | 12.00pm-1.30pm |
Overview
This is the first step into competitive squad training. Swimmers develop the basics of training discipline and competitive swimming skills in a structured and supportive environment.
Goals
- Build water confidence and motor coordination
- Master basic stroke technique in all four strokes
- Introduce lane etiquette, pace clock usage, and swimming sets
Focus Areas
- Streamlining, body position, and rhythm
- Legal stroke technique over short distances
- Start, turn, and finish fundamentals
Progression Criteria
- Legal strokes in all four strokes (as per Swim England Laws)
- Participation in club meets or local Level 3/4 competitions
- Proficiency in diving, turns, and push-offs
- Demonstrated maturity and listening skills
- 75%+ attendance and good training behaviour
- Ability to complete full sessions without distraction
Progression To: Competitive Squad or sideways to Academy Squad
🔹 Competitive Squad
Age Range: 10–12 years
Training: 5 sessions/week (60–90 mins)
Attendance Requirement: Minimum75% monthly
Total Training Hours: 6 hours/week
Monthly Squad Fee: £60.00
Approximate Cost per Training Hour: £2.50
Lead Coach: Jalall Hessari
COMPETITIVE SQUAD TIMETABLE
| DAY | VENUE | TIME |
| Monday | Harrow Leisure Centre | 8.00pm-9.30pm |
| Wednesday | Harrow Leisure Centre | 7.00pm-8.00pm |
| Friday | St. Margaret’s Sports Centre | 8.00pm-9.00pm |
| Saturday | Harrow Leisure Centre | 9.00am-10.00am |
| Sunday | St. Margaret’s Sports Centre | 1.30pm-3.00pm |
Overview
A key squad for establishing efficient, legal technique over increasing distances. Competition begins to play a bigger role, and swimmers start to identify preferred events.
Goals
- Build aerobic base and develop training discipline
- Apply technique under fatigue
- Introduce competitive race strategy concepts
Focus Areas
- Progressive drills and stroke development
- Turns, underwater phases, streamlines
- Controlled breathing patterns and intro to pace work
Progression Criteria
- Participation in club and external meets 4/5 competitions
- Legal and consistent technique over 100m in all strokes
- Regular 75%+ attendance and high coachability
- County Consideration Times in one or more events preferred
Progression To: County Squad or sideways to Junior Squad
🔹 County Squad
Age Range: 11–13 years
Training: 7 sessions/week (60–120 mins)
Attendance Requirement: Minimum 75% monthly)
Total Training Hours: 10.5 hours/week
Monthly Squad Fee: £70.00
Approximate Cost per Training Hour: £1.67
Lead Coach: Callum Hill
COUNTY SQUAD TIMETABLE
| DAY | VENUE | TIME |
| Monday | Harrow Leisure Centre | 5.30am-7.00am |
| Monday (Land Training) | St. Margarets Sports Centre | 6.00pm-7.00pm |
| Monday | St. Margaret’s Sports Centre | 7.00pm-9.00pm |
| Tuesday | St. Helens School | 8.00pm-9.30pm |
| Friday | Harrow Leisure Centre | 5.30am-7.00am |
| Saturday | Harrow Leisure Centre | 9.00am-10.00am |
| Sunday | St. Margaret’s Sports Centre | 1.00pm-3.00pm |
Overview
This squad targets swimmers aiming for County-level success and preparing to transition to Regional-level performance through increased volume, structure, and commitment.
Goals
- Build competitive stamina and stroke consistency
- Master individual medley and distance options
- Refine underwater skills and starts
Focus Areas
- Tactical race planning
- Specific event preparation sets
- Streamline progression, breakout timing, and stroke transitions
Progression Criteria
- Achieved or near County Qualifying Times in multiple events
- Participation in club and external meets 5/6 competitions
- Demonstrated emotional maturity and training responsibility
- Improved aerobic capacity and consistency in target race sets
- Coach endorsement and commitment to moving up
Progression To: Regional Squad or sideways to Youth Squad
🔹 Regional Squad
Age Range: 13–15 years
Training: 9 sessions/week (60–120 mins)
Attendance Requirement: Minimum 75% monthly
Total Training Hours: 13.5 hours/week
Monthly Squad Fee: £80.00
Approximate Cost per Training Hour: £1.48
Lead Coach: Daniel Andrawos
REGIONAL SQUAD TIMETABLE
| DAY | VENUE | TIME |
| Monday | Harrow Leisure Centre | 5.30am-7.00am |
| Monday (Land Training) | St. Margaret’s Sports Centre | 6.00pm-7.00pm |
| Monday | St. Margaret’s Sports Centre | 7.00pm-9.00pm |
| Tuesday | St. Helens School | 8.00pm-9.30pm |
| Friday | Harrow Leisure Centre | 5.30am-7.00am |
| Friday (Land Training) | St. Margaret’s Sports Centre | 6.00pm-7.00pm |
| Friday | St. Margaret’s Sports Centre | 7.00pm-9.00pm |
| Saturday | Harrow Leisure Centre | 7.30am-9.00am |
| Sunday | Harrow Leisure Centre | 7.30am-9.00am |
Overview
Regional Squad prepares swimmers for Regional (Level 1/2) performance, focusing on advanced technical refinement, training resilience, and competitive mental preparation.
Goals
- Achieve Regional qualification and multi-event capability
- Introduce test sets, performance tracking, and taper strategies
- Support swimmers through early adolescence transitions
Focus Areas
- Event-specific energy system training
- Development of strong underwater phases and skills under fatigue
- Performance journaling, self-reflection, and ownership of routines
Progression Criteria
- Regional Qualifying Times in one or more events
- Participation in club and external meets 6/8 competitions
- Strong attendance, nutritional awareness, and recovery habits
- Coach feedback showing competitive maturity
- Evidence of self-driven improvement and accountability
Progression To: Performance Squad or sideways to Youth or Youth Advanced Squad
🔹 Performance Squad
Age Range: 13–17 years
Training: 11 sessions/week (60–120 mins)
Attendance Requirement: Minimum 75% monthly
Total Training Hours: 16.5 hours/week
Monthly Squad Fee: £90.00
Approximate Cost per Training Hour: £1.36
Lead Coach: Daniel Andrawos
PERFORMANCE SQUAD TIMETABLE
| DAY | VENUE | TIME |
| Monday | Harrow Leisure Centre | 5.30am-7.00am |
| Monday (Land Training) | St. Margaret’s Sports Centre | 6.00pm-7.00pm |
| Monday | St. Margaret’s Sports Centre | 7.00pm-9.00pm |
| Tuesday | St. Helens School | 8.00pm-9.30pm |
| Wednesday (Land Training) | Harrow Leisure Centre | 6.15pm-7.15pm |
| Wednesday | Harrow Leisure Centre | 7.30pm-9.30pm |
| Friday | Harrow Leisure Centre | 5.30am-7.00am |
| Friday (Land Training) | St. Margaret’s Sports Centre | 6.00pm-7.00pm |
| Friday | St. Margaret’s Sports Centre | 7.00pm-9.00pm |
| Saturday | Harrow Leisure Centre | 7.30am-9.00am |
| Sunday | Harrow Leisure Centre | 7.30am-9.00am |
Overview
This is the highest-level squad, where swimmers aim for peak performance at Regional, National, and even international level. Training is athlete-centred, performance-driven, and holistic.
Goals
- Peak for key meets (Regionals/Nationals)
- Execute advanced taper and race strategies
- Balance training, school, and recovery for long-term progression
Focus Areas
- Periodised macrocycles with race-season targeting
- Technical fine-tuning, race analysis, and psychological prep
- Strength & conditioning integration and performance nutrition
Progression Criteria
- Active Regional or National-level swimmer
- Participation in club and external meets 6/8 competitions
- Maturity in self-management, including warm-ups, stretching, and rest
- Data-driven improvements tracked over a season
- Coach and Head Coach approval
Progression:
- Continued development within squad
- Transition to senior performance pathway or external high-performance centres
- Lateral move to Youth Advanced Squad for reduced commitment
Flexible Participation Pathway
🔹 Academy Squad
Age Range: 9–11 years
Training: 3 sessions/week (60 mins)
Attendance Requirement: Flexible
Total Training Hours: 3.5 hours/week
Monthly Squad Fee: £45.00
Approximate Cost per Training Hour: £3.21
Lead Coach: Mahi Shah
ACADEMY SQUAD TIMETABLE
| DAY | VENUE | TIME |
| Monday | Harrow Leisure Centre | 7.00pm-8.00pm |
| Wednesday | Harrow Leisure Centre | 6.00pm-7.30pm |
| Sunday | St. Margaret’s Sports Centre | 12.00pm-1.00pm |
Overview
The Academy Squad is designed for swimmers who enjoy training and racing but cannot commit to the full competitive pathway. It supports stroke development, fitness, and club involvement in a flexible environment.
Goals
- Maintain legal strokes across all four strokes
- Encourage participation in club and local galas
- Offer development for possible reintegration into the main pathway
Focus Areas
- Stroke refinement and skill retention
- General aerobic fitness
- Fun, motivation, and long-term engagement with swimming
Progression Criteria
- Improved attendance and training engagement
- Coach recommendation
- Demonstrated readiness to increase training load
Progression To: Competitive or Junior Squad (based on age and commitment)
🔹 Junior Squad
Age Range: 11–14 years
Training: 4 sessions/week (60–90 mins)
Attendance Requirement: Flexible
Total Training Hours: 5 hours/week
Monthly Squad Fee: £45.00
Approximate Cost per Training Hour: £2.25
Lead Coach: Jade and Kayla Ladha
JUNIOR SQUAD TIMETABLE
| DAY | VENUE | TIME |
| Monday | Harrow Leisure Centre | 7.00pm-8.00pm |
| Wednesday | Harrow Leisure Centre | 8.00pm-9.30pm |
| Saturday | Harrow Leisure Centre | 9.00am-10.00am |
| Sunday | St. Margaret’s Sports Centre | 12.00pm-1.30pm |
Overview
Junior Squad is for swimmers aged 11+ who wish to continue swimming seriously but may not yet meet the intensity of competitive squads. It also serves as a bridge for later developers or returners.
Goals
- Sustain technical proficiency and training structure
- Compete at club and external meets
- Offer a route back into higher-level training if readiness is shown
Focus Areas
- Maintaining strong aerobic conditioning
- Refining event-specific techniques
- Building consistency and self-awareness in training
Progression Criteria
- Consistent 75%+ attendance
- Demonstrated motivation and focus in training
- County or Regional level racing commitment
- Coach recommendation and squad suitability assessment
Progression To: County Squad (if criteria met)
Alternative Path: Transition to Youth Squad.
🔹 Youth Squad
Age Range: 13–15 years
Training: 4 sessions/week (60–90 minutes each)
Minimum Attendance: Flexible
Total Training Hours: 5 hours/week
Monthly Squad Fee: £45.00
Approximate Cost per Training Hour: £2.25
Lead Coach: Jade and Kayla Ladha
YOUTH SQUAD TIMETABLE
| DAY | VENUE | TIME |
| Monday | Harrow Leisure Centre | 8.00pm-9.30pm |
| Wednesday | Harrow Leisure Centre | 7.00pm-8.00pm |
| Friday | Harrow Leisure Centre | 8.00pm-9.00pm |
| Sunday | St. Margaret’s Sports Centre | 1.30pm-3.00pm |
Overview
The Youth Squad supports swimmers aged 13–15 who want to maintain strong technical ability and fitness, with continued exposure to racing and structured training. It provides an ideal bridge between Junior and Youth Advanced Squads, especially for swimmers still deciding their long-term commitment to the sport.
Goals
- Maintain progression and performance habits post-Junior Squad
- Offer structured development without full County-level intensity
- Enable participation in club and regional competitions
Focus Areas
- Stroke efficiency and aerobic conditioning
- Racing confidence and goal setting
- Individual ownership of training habits and discipline
Progression Criteria
- Demonstrated progression and focus in training
- Increased training attendance and racing experience
- Coach recommendation
Progression To:
- Youth Advanced Squad (for those continuing for fitness and recreational racing)
- County Squad (for swimmers showing competitive potential and commitment)
🔹 Youth Advanced Squad
Age Range: 16–18 years
Training: 4 sessions/week (60–90 mins)
Attendance Requirement: Flexible
Total Training Hours: 6 hours/week
Monthly Squad Fee: £45.00
Approximate Cost per Training Hour: £1.88
Lead Coach: Callum Hill
YOUTH ADVANCED SQUAD TIMETABLE
| DAY | VENUE | TIME |
| Monday | Harrow Leisure Centre | 8.00pm-9.30pm |
| Wednesday | Harrow Leisure Centre | 8.00pm-9.30pm |
| Saturday | Harrow Leisure Centre | 7.30am-9.00am |
| Sunday | Harrow Leisure Centre | 7.30am-9.00am |
Overview
Youth Advanced Squad supports swimmers who want to remain active in the sport, maintain technique and fitness, and participate in occasional competitions—without the pressure of a performance track.
Goals
- Keep swimmers engaged in a positive, healthy environment
- Support technique and fitness alongside academic or other commitments
- Offer optional competition opportunities and social integration
Focus Areas
- Fitness and technique maintenance
- Flexibility in training goals
- Enjoyment and retention in the sport
Progression Criteria
- This is often a final training squad—progression is typically horizontal:
- Remain active as senior swimmers or transition into coaching or officiating
Progression:
- Continued recreational participation
- Leadership roles within the club
- Optional return to competitive pathway with coach approval
🔹 Masters Squad
Age Range: 19+ years
Training: 4 sessions/week (90 minutes each)
Attendance Requirement: Flexible
Total Training Hours: 6 hours/week
Monthly Squad Fee: £40.00
Approximate Cost per Training Hour: £1.67
Lead Coach: Callum Hill
MASTERS SQUAD TIMETABLE
| DAY | VENUE | TIME |
| Monday | Harrow Leisure Centre | 8.00pm-9.30pm |
| Wednesday | Harrow Leisure Centre | 8.00pm-9.30pm |
| Saturday | Harrow Leisure Centre | 7.30am-9.00am |
| Sunday | Harrow Leisure Centre | 7.30am-9.00am |
Overview
Overview
The Masters Squad is for adult swimmers (19+) who wish to continue structured training for fitness, competition, or social engagement. It welcomes former competitive swimmers, triathletes, and anyone looking to maintain their swimming in a friendly, supportive environment.
Goals
- Support lifelong participation in swimming
- Offer opportunities to compete in Masters competitions (optional)
- Promote health, fitness, and social connection
Focus Areas
- Technique refinement and aerobic endurance
- Flexibility in session structure to suit varied goals
- Positive training atmosphere for adult swimmers
Progression
This is typically the final training group. Swimmers may:
- Continue long-term participation
- Compete in Masters competitions
- Assist in coaching, officiating, or mentoring roles within the club