Group Structure

Introduction

Northgate is a competitive, family oriented and friendly swimming club, catering for all abilities from non-swimmer through to National standard swimmers. Our members compete in a variety of open galas and league competitions. We are a registered charity and welcome everyone to swim. Our teachers and coaches are qualified and hold DBS clearances.

Northgate Swimming Club Group Structure

Northgate Swimming Club is divided into several groups, Dolphins, Sharks, Junior Development, Junior Performance and Seniors. Group membership will depend on the ability of the swimmer.

Before joining Northgate, a swimmer will be assessed to determine which group will best suit their swimming development needs.

Northgate use 2 pools for learning and training, Bridgnorth Leisure Centre (BLC) and Much Wenlock Leisure Centre (MWLC)

Fees

The fee for each of the groups is listed below. The monthly payment is by standing order on the 1st of each month. The fee is a combination of Club membership and Club running costs (e.g. pool hire).

There is also an annual subscription to Swim England, the national governing body for swimming. Level 1 subscription covers training and internal competitions. Level 2 is required for league and open galas.

Currently, Category 1 is £17.70 and Category 2 is £35.25.

Dolphins – Teacher/Coach Paul Breese

Dolphins is all about learning to swim and then learning correct technique for Front Crawl, Backstroke and Breaststroke. There is no minimum swimming ability for Dolphins. In Dolphins, participants follow the Swim England Learn to Swim (LTS) framework and the swimmers will achieve Stage 7 before moving up to Sharks.

Session Times

Sharks – Teacher/Coach Paul Breese

In Sharks the participants gain more stamina and will refine their technique in Front Crawl, Backstroke and Breaststroke. They will also begin to learn Butterfly. Participants continue to follow the Swim England Learn to Swim (LTS) framework and the swimmers will achieve Stage 9 before moving up to Junior Development.

Session Times

Junior Development – Coach Keith Lewis

In the Junior Development Squad, swimmers take what they have learnt in Sharks and begin to apply more speed and power. Participants continue to follow the Swim England Learn to Swim (LTS) framework and the swimmers will achieve Stage 10 before moving up to Junior Performance.

Session Times

Junior Performance – Coach ‘D’ Davidson

Swimmers are now fine tuning all 4 strokes and are nurturing technical and tactical skills based around specific strokes or distances. It is at this stage that swimmers should also be attending the ‘dry-side’ training session provided by Northgate.

Session Times

Seniors – Coach Gary Barnes

Our Seniors group is for the strongest and most dedicated swimmers. They should be attending most of the available sessions. The training follows cyclic schedules based on targeted competitions and will include endurance and sprint sessions.

Session Times

Masters – Coach Andy Hawker

The Masters group is for swimmers aged 16+. The members include those who wish to swim for fitness only, and those who wish to compete in swimming only and/or multi-discipline events (e.g. triathlons)

Session Times