TSP: SWIMMING

What is the Hunter Sports High School Swimming Program?

The program has been operating since 1998 and provides a unique opportunity for talented swimmers aged between 12 – 18 years of age within the Hunter Region to combine effectively academic and sporting excellence.

The program includes:

• Performance skills
• Health and fitness management
• Skills development in both practical and theoretical aspects of swimming
• Sport science education
• Strength and conditioning instruction
• Fitness Assessment twice a year at Balance Health Club

How does the program work?

The swimming program operates two sessions per week. Session 1 is on Tuesday afternoon and session 2 operates on Thursday mornings. Swimming sessions are held at Coughlin’s Swim centre (home of Novocastrian Swim Club) at Warners Bay. Students are transported by our school bus to and from the pool each session.

What has the Program Achieved?

• 9 students selected to represent at the 2009 NSW CHS Championships to be held at Homebush on the 5 th April in individual events and 3 relay squads.
• 2008 Sarah Hoyles selected to participated in the Pacific Games Canberra
• 2008 – Combined High Schools Championships at Hiomebush Bay. NicholasHawthorne – 1 st in 100m backstroke, 2 nd in 100m butterfly, 7 th in 200m freestyle. Sarah Hoyles – 1 st 200 m freestyle, 6 th 100m breaststroke, 6 th 100m backstroke.
• 2008 Nicholas Hawthorne, Sarah Hoyles and Jessica Squires selected to compete in San Francisco
• 2008 – Nationals – Sarah Hoyles 14 th in 200m IM, 16 th in 200m backstroke and 18 th in 100m backstroke. Nicholas Hawthorne also had impressive results.
• 2009 14 Hunter Region Representatives
• 2009 Nicholas Hawthorne,14 Years Boys Champion at Eastlakes Zone and Hunter, competed at NSWCHS, competed at School Sport Australia Championships in Perth in September – Silver in 4x50m medley relay, qualified for the National Age Championships to be held in Sydney April 2010
• 2009 Tayla Pevy-Siever competed at Zone, Regional, NSWCHS and All School Events in Freestyle, Backstroke, Butterfly and breaststroke
• 2010 Tayla Pevy-Siever, Jessica Squires, Nicholas Hathorne Hunter Region Representatives to compete at NSWCHS State Carnival in March 2010 and 4 Relay teams to compete also.

How does it link to Association/Community Swimming?

All students are encouraged to participate in club training with their own coaches. This program tries to complement what is already being coached at each swimmers individual club training and reinforce and support each student’s individual needs. Please note that swimmers are welcome from all clubs and are not pushed to belong to any particular club.

Students involved in the program are encouraged to participate in competitions as junior members of a club, and undertake regular club training outside of school hours. Students should be able to display a reasonable level of ability and a high level of interest in developing their swimming ability.

Who are the Swimming Coaches?

• Paul Sharman Head coach– level 2 coach with National swimmers.
• Michael Legg Assistant coach– level 1 coach and National Age champion swimmer.
• Paul Rounsley Swimming Co-ordinator

What does the program provide?

• Individual stroke development
• Basic movement skills
• Video analysis
• Race preparation
• Strategies and Tactics of swimming
• Sports medicine – drugs in sport
• Sports psychology/ Sports physiology
• 2 sessions per week
• Access to indoor facility for year round training
• Transportation to and from the venue by our school bus AIS visit in 2008
• Welfare and academic support for the talented athlete
• Regular Fitness Assessment twice a year at Balance Health Club

What do the students say about the Program?

“ The capacity to train and succeed at school has been enhanced by the TSP Swimming Program. Through the program, I have been able to represent the school Hunter Region, NSW and compete in the National SchoolsChampionship. This has been a fantastic experience for myself and has certainly helped our family cope with the busy schedule of events and training.” Testimonial from Michael Evans – Fisher Paykel National Swimming Squad

How do you apply?

To be part of this program prospective student need to obtain an application package from our web page. Students must participate in regular swimming carnivals and undertake a trial, and provide supporting documentation as detailed in the application package. Note that students may be in any year, and acceptance and ongoing placement in the program is based on continued academic effort, acceptable attendance levels and an excellent behaviour record.
Students are supported by a school environment which caters for the academic and welfare needs of the talented athlete, allowing students to gain a quality education whilst still pursuing their sporting dreams.