National Potential is the premier squad within the scheme. The aims & objectives of the squad are to develop and prepare swimmers for the National Championships and above such as International competition. An emphasis is also placed on success at Yorkshire S.A. and North East Region A.S.A. events and the progression to these levels through competition in selected open and club meets. 

For water based sessions you will need the following equipment:

• x goggles (1 as spare),
• paddles hand + finger,
• pull buoy,
• kickboard,
• short fins (zoomer),
• drinks bottles (minimum of 2 litres),
• training hat (optional),
• drag pants (optional - swimmers 14 +)
• Wet recording board (if own one)

For land based sessions you will need to wear trainers, comfortable clothes and bring a drink bottle (minimum of 1 litre) and a skipping rope (speed rope version).

(15 mins stretching is available after all sessions) It is strongly recommended that swimmers stretch after every session to avoid injury and to aid recovery for the next session.

SQUAD CRITERIA-

ENTRY-

1. The squad will be made up by the top 18 swimmers within the scheme. These 18 swimmers will be selected by calculating how close each individual swimmer is to the National qualifying time on their best event based on a percentage figure. (Swimmers on the BGS scheme are not included in this figure of 18)

In December 2008 swimmers will be selected from swims completed in competitions from the 2007-08 season and qualifying times from the 2009 National Championships will be the guide for squad selection. As selections will be based on National qualifying times and events, 800 &1500 freestyle events done in a short course pool will not be considered as these distances must be achieved in a long course pool for qualification for National events. 50m freestyle for swimmers of BAGCAT age however will be considered from short course meets. 50m events and times will be considered for youth/open swimmers if swum in a long course pool only. These events appear in the National Championships programme but require long course qualification. Times achieved in teams or split times from individual races will not be considered also.

The squad places of 18 will be reviewed at 3 stages of the season. The first review will be in December after the final meet of the calendar year. (Although this review period will not take place at Xmas 08 due to the late implementation of the structure). The second will take place after the last meet before Easter and the third review will be after National Championships in August.

Swimmers will be moved in and out of National Potential Squad at these 3 review points in the season if another swimmer from a lower squad achieves a higher percentage mark in that period, and vice versa.

2. Swimmers in National Potential must be aged 12 or above. (Males & females). (This age criteria will be reviewed on a yearly basis).

3. Swimmers on the BGS scheme are welcome to train in the squad but must have a Yorkshire qualifying time.

WHILST IN NATIONAL POTENTIAL-

1. Swimmers will attend a minimum of 6 sessions per week. (An attendance mark will be given for swimmers attending a Competition on a Saturday).

2. Show an ongoing commitment to AM training.

3. Attend the Saturday AM session at Eccleshill and take part in the land session after the water session.                           

4. Attend meets and enter relevant events on a regular basis as directed by the Senior Coach. (Minimum of 6 meets per year). If a swimmer competes on 1 day of a 2 day meet only that will be considered as 1 meet.

5. Swimmers will arrive on time for sessions and will complete blood flow exercises prior to the commencement of sessions.

6. Complete sessions to the standard required and expected by the Senior Coach.

7. Demonstrate a positive attitude towards training, coaches and their peers.

8. Swimmers will arrive at training sessions with the correct and appropriate kit*.

9. Swimmers are expected to keep an up to date logbook.

EXIT-

Swimmers will be moved from National Potential if they continually fail to meet to above criteria.