Birkenhead Swimming Club
| Birkenhead Swimming Club will do their best to
encourage your child to improve their strokes and fitness. The programme
provided in all our squads will attempt to bring the best from your child,
and will work far more effectively if attendance is at least twice a week
or more! We will seek to encourage your child to take part in competitive galas, of which we have a number at different levels. This will begin with time trials within the club leading to team selection for development galas and further progress in teams appropriate to your child’s development. From a coaching point of view you cannot hurry a child’s development, maturity both physical and mental affect their performance |
| What can you do as a parent?? |
| Firstly and most importantly, always find a way to
encourage your child rather than criticise. Try to ensure they judge their
own performance against only themselves and their previous personal best
performances. We call these PB's and each swimmer in our club has their
current PB's recorded on the notice board just outside the pool. This is
because all children mature and develop at different rates and the
swimmers who finish at a high level do not necessarily shine early! Secondly, watch the notice board(s) to see if your child has been chosen for a gala. This board is inside the pool hall on the left as you enter. Please always advise availability at the earliest opportunity and of any problems. Obviously this is because it can result in coaches having to contact other swimmers at short notice if availability is not advised EARLY. Please try to avoid this by ticking/crossing the team sheet EARLY. If we are advised late then this will probably involve a telephone call to seek other swimmers for the team, we would ask you to appreciate that this is by no means an indication that your child is "second choice"; we fully appreciate the support of those parents and children! It is unfortunate, but is solely a problem provided by swimmers not advising if they will swim EARLY Lastly, if you have any queries please ask We can’t promise the answer you may expect but hopefully we should be able to explain why and what we do. Please remember that all the officials, coaches and helpers within the club are volunteers. They are there to do their best for ALL the children in the club. They are quite happy to answer any question or advise you who is best placed to answer. We’re not saying that they are always right but please respect their commitment. |
| First Day |
| On your child’s first attendance at the club we will
ask them to swim a few lengths in three different strokes. They will then
be assigned to a lane for the rest of the session and we will gauge their
current levels of fitness. At the end of the session the coach will advise
you of the squad and lane your child should attend. You are allowed to attend three sessions including your first and just pay the training fee. On your fourth attendance or before you must pay your yearly club membership. The rates for this are on the attached membership form. The club is committed to providing support for its members and in the event that you have any difficulties with fees or the provision of necessary equipment please speak, in strictest confidence, to the Chairman, Roy Smither on 644 0653 |
| VOLUNTEERS - Poolside helpers |
| If you are interested in becoming involved as a poolside helper you will be required to complete the necessary CRB checks after which you can come on the poolside to assist our qualified teachers and coaches, The club also provides financial support for those wishing to become further involved through taking teaching and coaching qualifications. For further information please speak to NIC WINTER or any coach. |
| VOLUNTEERS - Officiating |
| If you are interested in becoming involved in helping at galas you will be required to complete the necessary CRB checks after which you can come on the poolside to assist Again, if you choose, there are examinations to qualify for timekeeping, judging and starting. Please speak to PETER BLOOD for further information. |
| COMMITTEE & CLUB ORGANIZATION |
| The committee is elected each year at the AGM, watch out for the notices. The AGM is normally held in December. Offers of help however are welcome at any time of year and we will always be pleased to find you a job. We would especially be pleased to receive any help with fund raising or the arrangement of social events. Please speak to ROY SMITHER, PETER BLOOD or any committee member. |
| Achievement Awards |
| The club recognises achievements through the ASA awards scheme, commencing at the ASA National Plan for teaching swimming Level 7 (pre competitive). A log-sheet is available at the rear of this handbook and Certificates, badges, and logbooks are available from the club shop. |
| Club Swim Shop |
| This is open most training nights. You can find it on the balcony at the pool, shallow end, door under the clock. All club kit is available from the shop and in addition quite often there are other bargains. These can be costumes selling for around half retail price which can be utilised for training thus saving the more expensive club costumes. Why not wander up and have a look at what we’ve got? All proceeds go the club and subsidise our other activities for your children. |
| Wirral Squad Training Sessions |
| In addition to the Birkenhead club squads are the Wirral training squads. These are intensive squad training designed to bring the best from high performing swimmers. There are five training groups utilising various pools around the Wirral. Their objective is to provide the time to allow full development of any swimmer’s potential provided they are committed to full attendance to the sessions available to them. This squad competes through Wirral Metro swimming Club in high level competitions at regional and national level and some open meets. |
| For further information please talk to Nic Winter, he is at senior sessions Friday and Sunday and most galas. His phone numbers are all over the notice board. |