ACTIVITIES

Learn-to-Swim
A team of ASA qualified swimming teachers and coaches, assisted by some senior swimmers, work with the children to provide the highest quality lessons.
Beginners from age 4 upward start in the small pool and work through levels 1-3 of the ASA National Teaching Plan, moving into the main pool they progress from levels 4 upward at their own pace. Selection to join the development or competitive squads is based on ability. Moving into the squads swimmers continue to work on their technique while acquiring speed and stamina.

Squad Training
Under the guidance of the Head Coach, our team of coaches provide training for the competitive squad swimmers with up to 9½ hrs water time available each week for the top group.

Land Training
Weekly land training sessions are held at Coombeshead school gym on Tuesday evenings prior to the Tuesday training session.

Water Polo
Our thriving water polo section has Junior, Ladies and Men’s teams competing in local, district and national leagues. Water Polo training takes place at Teignmouth Lido in summer and at Newton Abbot Leisure Centre in winter. Junior players improve their skills by attending County and District training sessions.

MEMBERSHIP AND FEES
The Club membership and financial year runs from 1st September to 31st August.
Annual subscriptions are due on joining and on 1st September each year thereafter
2008/09 Swimmers £30. Family (3 or more) £90. Parents (non swimmers) £5
All swimming fees including Water Polo training) are payable by Monthly Standing Order.
Please let Coral Waldock know if you have any problem with this.
Your September standing order is set against the Annual subscription.
Monthly fees are paid by 11 standing orders October – August.

COMPETITION
Swimmers have the opportunity to take part in different types and levels of competition. Details are displayed on the Club notice board at Newton Abbot Leisure Centre.

Team Competitions
Team lists are displayed in advance of each gala.

Inter Club Galas and local Leagues
These competitions are arranged by different Clubs and normally held at the home pool of the club arranging the gala. Most of those we compete in are held within our area of Devon with some in Cornwall and Somerset.
The team for this type of event is selected:
To give as many swimmers as possible the chance to compete for their Club.
To provide opportunities for swimmers to gain experience of competing in different strokes and events.
Where possible swimmers will be given both relay and individual swims

National Swimming League Western
This is the major National Team Competition of the year, and consists of three Galas held in October, November and December. There is the opportunity for promotion to a higher division of the League. Galas may be held at home or as far away as Gloucester. Team selection for this event is that a winning team is selected on all occasions and we strive to achieve maximum points. This may mean some swimmers swim more events than others because the coaches have researched the best team format for each age group

Devon County ASA Inter Club and Devon County ASA Relay Competitions –
These County Competitions are held annually in February - March, when we can prove our worth against every other Devon based Swim Team. The competition is for swimmers aged 9 upward and team selection is on the same basis as Speedo League.

Individual Competitions
Details are displayed on the Club Notice Board. To enter fill in the entry forms and give to the nominated person.

Devon County ASA Annual Championships
Swimmers must achieve the minimum qualifying times for their age. The competition is for swimmer's aged 9 upwards. All DCASA competitions incorporate the full BAGCAT (British Age Group category) programme.

Devon County ASA Development Galas
This competition is open to swimmers from all club's in Devon, but excludes any swimmer reaching any final in
the County Championships.

ASASW Region and ASA National Championships
Swimmer's who achieve District qualifying times may go on to compete at District Championships. NASC members have represented their club at District and a few at National events over the years and we hope more swimmers will follow them in future.

Open Meets
Many clubs hold competitions which are open to members of other clubs. Our coach supports those meets that fit in with her training plan or which will enable swimmers to obtain qualifying times for County or District events. Swimmers can enter any open meet but should first consult the head coach.

Newton Abbot Swimming Club Annual Gala
The Decoy and Milber Cup competitions for swimmers aged 10 and under are held in June each year. A simple competition held during two Monday evening training sessions in which swimmers enter races of 25metres (1 length) of each stroke.

All swimmers are encouraged to enter our annual gala in November. Events of various distances in Breaststroke, Backstroke, Butterfly, Freestyle and Individual Medley.

Trophy Presentation
Cups and medals won at the Annual Gala are presented at our Annual Presentation evening which is followed by a Disco and social evening.

THE ROLE OF PARENTS
The support of parents is vital to a swimmer's development and success in swimming right from their first visit to a Swimming Pool. Swimming should be an enjoyable experience for everyone. Start with family visits, bring them to their first lessons, join a club and make sure they come regularly.
Parents, in their enthusiasm for their child's success, should avoid exerting undue pressure on children. Make a positive contribution in the following ways:
Help create the right environment in which your children’s personal swimming ambitions can flourish. Congratulate success and provide support and sympathy when required. Be aware of their aims and ambitions. Learn something of the coaching schemes that the coaches are using in their efforts to achieve those goals. Encourage the setting of targets, each one a little beyond what currently seems attainable. Support your swimmers' teachers and coaches and the running of the club. Make positive suggestions rather than negative criticism.

The club has a constant need of help in many different ways and if more people are able to assist it spreads the load.
If you can spare a few hours join the Committee, or help with social events or fund raising. Helpers are needed on poolside to assist with getting out and putting away equipment, helping teachers, and recording times during training sessions and competitions. New teachers are always welcome. Courses for teachers are run at Newton Abbot Leisure Centre and elsewhere in Devon.

The Club Committee, elected at the Annual General Meeting is made up of the President, Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer, Competition Secretary, Team Manager, Minute Secretary, Water Polo Secretary, and up to 8 additional members.

Additional non committee posts are those of Ladies and Men’s Club Captains, Junior Captains, Deputy Captains, Trophy Controller, Publicity officer, Social secretary, Registration officer, Welfare officer, Masters secretary, Open Meet organiser, Officials Organiser, Membership Secretary, Assistant secretary and Life Saving Secretary. Some may be filled by Committee members in addition to their other responsibilities.