GUIDE TO SQUAD STRUCTURE & PATHWAYS

September 2025

At Bluefins, every swimmer belongs to a squad system matched to their commitment, ability, and ambition. Training with others on similar pathways creates the energy, challenge, and support needed for progress and enjoyment.

Our 16 squads span the full pathway, from Skills Academy through to National Performance. Alongside the "Competitive" Pathways, we also offer a Fitness Pathway for swimmers who value health, enjoyment, and lifelong participation.

A hallmark of Bluefins is dynamic squad movement. Swimmers are monitored daily, with opportunities to move when ready. This flexibility ensures progress stays aligned with age, skill, and personal goals — supporting the swimmer, not just their times.

🎓 Skills Academy (Squads 1–4)

Age: 7–11

Pool Time: Progressive structure, increasing slightly across the four squads

Standard: Building essential aquatic and stroke skills

🎯 Target Level: Develop the full range of skills to prepare for the Competitive Pathway. For swimmers who are less competition-focused, we also offer a Fitness Pathway through our Club Squads Swimmers should:

👂 Show good listening skills, taking on feedback positively.

💪 Always try their best — effort and attitude are as important as ability.

🏊 Focus on improving stroke technique, skills, and body position every session.

😀 Show a positive attitude to learning and a willingness to try challenges.

🙌 Show respect and good manners to swimmers, coaches, and members. Pathway Focus:

📌 A fun, safe, and engaging environment to build confidence and enjoyment.

📌 Focuses on advancing BLABT skills (Body position, Leg action, Arm action, Breathing, Timing) — the foundation for all future swimming.

📌 Progression through Squads 1–4 is based on skill development, listening, attitude, and effort. Movement is at coaches’ discretion.

📌 The Skills Academy is the starting point of the Bluefins pathway, leading to Competitive Development or the Fitness Pathway. Key Skills Developed:

🏊‍♀️ Streamlined push-offs and underwater body position, introducing the Bluefins “Set, Drop, Lock” technique.

🏊‍♀️ Awareness of the pace clock and 5-second gaps between swimmers.

🏊‍♀️ Learning legal turns and introductions to competitive dives.

🏊‍♀️ Sculling and drill-based stroke development.

🏊‍♀️ Evolving racing skills in a fun and positive environment.

💙 Club Squad 1 (Fitness Pathway)

Age: 10–13

Pool Time: 2 × 1-hour sessions per week (flexible)

Standard: Fitness, skills & enjoyment

🎯 Target Level: Lifelong swimming — for fitness, wellbeing, and enjoyment without competition pressure. Swimmers should:

😀 Enjoy their swimming and give their best effort.

🙌 Show respect and good manners to swimmers, coaches, and members.

🏊 Take part with a willingness to learn and improve. Pathway Focus:

📌 Fun, supportive sessions blending fitness and skills.

📌 Encourages lifelong swimming as part of a healthy lifestyle.

📌 Flexible attendance fits around school, hobbies, and other sports.

💙 Club Squad 2 (Fitness Pathway)

Age: 13–17

Pool Time: 2 × 1-hour sessions per week (flexible)

Standard: Fitness, skills & enjoyment

🎯 Target Level: Lifelong swimming — for fitness, wellbeing, and enjoyment without competition pressure. Swimmers should:

😀 Come ready to enjoy swimming and give their best effort.

🙌 Show respect and good manners to swimmers, coaches, and members.

🏊 Try to improve their technique and fitness each session.

💪 Maintain a positive attitude toward staying active and healthy.

Pathway Focus:

📌 For older swimmers who enjoy swimming without performance targets.

📌 Sessions focus on fitness, confidence, and enjoyment.

📌 Supports lifelong health and activity.

📌 Flexible attendance makes it easy to combine with studies, work, or other sports.

🏊 Competitive Development Squad

Age: 8–12

Pool Time: 3 sessions / ~3.25 hrs per week

Standard: Development of competitive skills

🎯 Target Level: Compete Occasionally – Home & Away Meets Swimmers should:

🤸 Introduce a basic land warm-up before each session.

🏊 Continue to develop technique while meeting new training demands.

😀 Show a positive attitude and good behaviour.

🙌 Show respect and good manners to swimmers, coaches, and members.

🎽 Begin their competitive journey, entering meets, swimming all strokes over shorter distances.

Pathway Focus:

📌 Builds confidence and love of the sport.

📌 Prepares swimmers for County Development, though approximately 50% will age out to Age Group Competitive. Late developers can still move into the County pathway.

📌 Progression to County Pathway is not guaranteed — depends on attendance, effort, coachability, technique, results & potential.

Example sets:

🏊‍♀️ Freestyle kick: 4 × 100m (2:30 cycle)

🏊‍♀️ Dolphin kick on back: 4 × 50m (1:15 cycle)

🏊‍♀️ Freestyle swim: 8 × 100m (1:55 cycle)

🏊 Age Group Competitive Squad

Age: 12–15

Pool Time: 3 sessions / ~3.25 hrs per week

Standard: Development of competitive skills

🎯 Target Level: Compete Occasionally – Home & Away Meets Swimmers should:

🤸 Continue a land warm-up before each session.

🏊 Improve technique while adapting to harder training demands.

😀 Show a positive attitude and good behaviour.

🙌 Show respect and good manners to swimmers, coaches, and members.

🎽 Continue their competitive journey, racing all strokes across a wider range of distances. Pathway Focus:

📌 Fun, engaging sessions to maintain fitness and develop racing skills.

📌 Designed for swimmers who have aged out of Competitive Development but are not yet ready for County. Keeps the door open for County Development if commitment and skills improve.

📌 Progression to County Pathway is not guaranteed — depends on attendance, effort, coachability, technique, results & potential. Example sets:

🏊‍♀️ Freestyle kick: 4 × 100m (2:20 cycle)

🏊‍♀️ Dolphin kick on back: 4 × 50m (1:10 cycle)

🏊‍♀️ Freestyle swim: 8 × 100m (1:50 cycle)

🐬 County Development Squad

Age: 9–14

Pool Time: 4 sessions / ~5 hrs per week

Standard: Development towards County standard

🎯 Target Level: County Champs Base QT – Compete Regularly – Home & Away Meets Swimmers should:

🤸 Complete a land warm-up before each swim.

🏊 Refine technique while meeting harder training demands.

😀 Show a positive attitude and good behaviour.

🙌 Show respect and good manners to swimmers, coaches, and members.

⏱️ Explore training target times.

🎽 Enter regular meets, racing a variety of strokes and distances.

📊 Know County qualifying times for their main and form strokes. Pathway Focus:

📌 Encourages enjoyment while building strong habits.

📌 Prepares swimmers for Age Group Performance & beyond.

📌 An important step requiring greater focus and commitment. Low attendance can result in a move, freeing space for others progressing.

📌 Progression to Performance Pathway is not guaranteed — depends on attendance, effort, coachability, technique, results & potential. Example sets:

🏊‍♀️ Freestyle kick: 4 × 100m (2:00 cycle)

🏊‍♀️ Dolphin kick on back: 4 × 50m (1:00 cycle)

🏊‍♀️ Freestyle swim: 12 × 100m (1:50 cycle) (10 & under)

🏊‍♀️ Freestyle swim: 16 × 100m (1:45 cycle) (11–12 yrs)

🏊‍♀️ Freestyle swim: 20 × 100m (1:40 cycle) (13+)

🚀 Age Group Performance Squad

Age: 11–13

Pool Time: 5 sessions / ~7 hrs per week

Standard: County level+

🎯 Target Level: County Auto QTs & Regional Championships Swimmers should:

🏋️ Commit fully to the training programme (all sessions unless agreed otherwise).

⏰ Strive to attend morning training until 7am.

🏆 Commit to the competition calendar.

😀 Consistently perform at a high County standard.

🙌 Show respect and good manners to swimmers, coaches, and members.

💪 Push themselves in training, setting goals with their coach. Pathway Focus:

📌 Develops positive training habits and discipline.

📌 Prepares swimmers for Youth Performance & beyond.

📌 Swimmers younger than the guide age may be accepted if they consistently demonstrate the right attributes — effort, coachability, and achieving the required performance level.

📌 Performance squads are highly sought after. Consistent attendance is expected — low commitment may result in a move to open space for others.

📌 Progression to Youth is not guaranteed — depends on attendance, effort, coachability, technique, results & potential. Example sets:

🏊‍♀️ Freestyle kick: 4 × 150m (3:00 cycle)

🏊‍♀️ Dolphin kick on back: 4 × 75m (1:30 cycle)

🏊‍♀️ Freestyle swim: 16 × 100m (1:40 cycle)

🏊‍♀️ IM swim: 6 × 200m (3:30/3:45 cycle)

🔥 Youth Performance Squad

Age: 13–16

Pool Time: 6 sessions / ~8.5 hrs per week

Standard: County level+

🎯 Target Level: County Auto QTs & Regional Championships Swimmers should:

🏋️ Commit fully to the training programme (all sessions unless agreed otherwise).

⏰ Strive to attend morning training until 7am.

🏆 Commit to the competition calendar.

😀 Perform consistently at a high County standard.

🙌 Show respect and good manners to swimmers, coaches, and members.

💪 Be self-motivated with a strong work ethic. Pathway Focus:

📌 Builds resilience and sharper racing skills.

📌 Progresses swimmers towards Regional Performance.

📌 Swimmers younger than the guide age may be accepted if they consistently demonstrate the right attributes — effort, coachability, and achieving the required performance level.

📌 Requires focus and dedication. Low attendance may result in a move to free places for committed swimmers.

📌 Progression to Regional is not guaranteed — depends on attendance, effort, coachability, technique, results & potential.  Example sets:

🏊‍♀️ Freestyle kick: 4 × 200m (4:15 cycle)

🏊‍♀️ Dolphin kick on back: 4 × 100m (1:45 cycle)

🏊‍♀️ Freestyle swim: 20 × 100m (1:35 cycle)

🏊‍♀️ IM swim: 8 × 200m (3:15/3:30 cycle)

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Regional Performance Squad

Age: 13+

Pool Time: 7 sessions / ~10.5 hrs per week

Standard: Regional level+

🎯 Target Level: Regional & Home Nation Championships Swimmers should:

🏋️ Fully commit to the training programme.

⏰ Strive to attend morning training until 7am.

🏆 Commit to the competition calendar.

😀 Perform consistently at a Regional standard.

🙌 Show respect and good manners to swimmers, coaches, and members.

💪 Take ownership of their goals. Pathway Focus:

📌 Reinforces high standards and competitive focus.

📌 Prepares swimmers for National Performance.

📌 Demands consistency. Lack of commitment can lead to a move, freeing places for those showing dedication.

📌 Progression to National is not guaranteed — depends on attendance, effort, coachability, technique, results & potential. Example sets:

🏊‍♀️ Freestyle kick: 5 × 200m (3:45 cycle)

🏊‍♀️ Dolphin kick on back: 4 × 100m (1:40 cycle)

🏊‍♀️ Freestyle swim: 24 × 100m (1:30 cycle)

🏊‍♀️ IM swim: 10 × 200m (3:15/3:30 cycle)

🇬🇧 National Performance Squad

Age: 15+

Pool Time: 8 sessions / ~12.5 hrs per week

Standard: National level

🎯 Target Level: Home Nation & GB Championships Swimmers should:

🏋️ Fully commit to the training programme.

⏰ Strive to attend morning training until 7am.

🏆 Commit to the competition calendar.

😀 Consistently perform at a National standard.

🙌 Show respect and good manners to swimmers, coaches, and members.

💪 Treat swimming as their priority sport. Pathway Focus:

📌 Embeds elite performance habits and mindset.

📌 Prepares swimmers for Home Nation & GB Championships.

📌 This is the pinnacle squad — swimmers must consistently earn their place through performance, commitment, and attitude. Example sets:

🏊‍♀️ Freestyle kick: 6 × 200m (3:30 cycle)

🏊‍♀️ Dolphin kick on back: 4 × 100m (1:35 cycle)

🏊‍♀️ Freestyle swim: 24 × 100m (1:25 cycle)

🏊‍♀️ IM swim: 10 × 200m (3:00/3:15 cycle)

🥇 Junior Masters Competitive

Age: 15–18

Pool Time: 3 sessions per week (flexible)

Standard: Ex-performance or competitive swimmers

🎯 Target Level: Maintain fitness and skills, with the option to compete occasionally while balancing other commitments. Swimmers should:

😀 Show a positive attitude and consistent effort in training.

🙌 Show respect and good manners to swimmers, coaches, and members.

🏊 Take ownership of their training, with increasing independence.

💪 Balance swimming with outside commitments while still training with purpose.

🏆 Maintain a connection to competition — aiming to race when commitments allow. Pathway Focus:

📌 Supportive environment for swimmers easing away from full performance but still interested in racing.

📌 Prepares swimmers for Masters at 18+.

📌 Ideal for multi-sport athletes.

📌 Extra opportunities may be offered for swimmers who consistently show commitment, effort, and the right attitude, including the chance to boost into similar-level squads if space allows.

💙 Junior Masters Club

Age: 15–18

Pool Time: 3 sessions per week (flexible)

Standard: Ex-competitive swimmers or those seeking fitness & enjoyment

🎯 Target Level: Maintain fitness and enjoyment, with the option to race occasionally. Swimmers should:

😀 Show a positive attitude and consistent effort in training.

🙌 Show respect and good manners to swimmers, coaches, and members.

🏊 Take ownership of their training, with increasing independence.

💪 Balance swimming with outside commitments while keeping sessions enjoyable.

🎽 Choose freely whether to compete — racing is optional. Pathway Focus:

📌 A relaxed training squad with a more independent atmosphere.

📌 Provides flexible training with an older, more independent feel.

📌 Ideal for multi-sport athletes.

📌 Acts as a bridge into Masters swimming.

📌 Extra opportunities may be offered for swimmers who consistently show commitment, effort, and the right attitude, including the chance to boost into similar-level squads if space allows.

👑 Masters Squad

Age: 18+

Pool Time: Up to 6 sessions per week (3 × mornings, 3 × evenings – flexible)

Standard: Broad range — from maintaining fitness to regularly competing on the Masters circuit, up to National and International level

🎯 Target Level: Lifelong swimming — for health, fitness, and enjoyment at every age, with opportunities to race at County, Regional, National, and International Masters Championships. Swimmers should:

🏊 Train at their own level, whether for fitness, fun, or competition.

💪 Embrace session challenges, even if not completing every metre.

🏆 Consider entering Hampshire Masters Championships (encouraged for all), with the option of competing at higher levels. Pathway Focus:

📌 Welcomes swimmers of all backgrounds — returning swimmers and those new to Masters.

📌 A place for honing existing skills, learning new ones, and training on an athlete-focused programme at any age.

📌 Sessions are varied — from steady aerobic work through to threshold sets and beyond.

📌 Lanes are graded by cycle times and ability, from fitness swimmers to National medalists.

📌 Balances fitness, friendship, and competition.

📌 Sessions are flexible, designed to fit around work, family, and lifestyle.

💙 Final Word Bluefins is more than a squad system — it’s a community. Each lane brings together swimmers of different ages, goals, and abilities, united by the same passion for the water.

Our role is to provide clear pathways, expert coaching, and an environment that challenges and supports in equal measure. Your role is to bring effort, respect, and commitment — the qualities that make progress possible.

Whether chasing medals, building fitness, or finding joy in lifelong swimming, every member contributes to what makes Bluefins special. Together, we create something bigger than the sum of our squads.

🐬 Bluefins Swimming Club — One Club. One Team. One Journey.