Swimming Terminology
Membership - Benefits, Options and Costs
Keeping your diary up to date -
Upcoming events and schedules
Training and Development
Entering meets and competing
Feedback, Questions and Talking to Coaches.
Squad/Training Structures and Development Levels
Achievements and Results
Club Uniform / Merchandise
Staying up to date and getting involved.
Swimming Terminology
All this talk about PBs, STS, DQs, and more...I just don't get it! Where do I get help?
Check out our Swimming Glossary for many common swimming terms. It may help take some mystery out of swimming language.
Membership - Benefits, Options and Costs
How much does it cost to join? / What do I get for my membership fee?
There are many benefits of SSC membership, benefits are being developed further over time, and there are too many to list here. However, full current details can be found on the Membership section of our website.
What membership levels are available and which one should I choose?
Refer to our Membership section for more information.
What other costs are there? / Do I have to pay extra for meets?
There is a cost for training sessions (check your local site for details), and most meets charge a set cost per event entered. In some cases, spectators may need to pay for entry to meets at venues like Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre (MSAC). SSC Members are supplied with a set of goggles, a t-shirt and an SSC cap upon joining the club. Any additional items can be purchased separately.
What differences are there between being a Paul Sadler Swimland (PSS) swimmer and being a member of Swimland Swim Club (SSC)?
Both PSS and SSC work on improving swimming skills. SSC involves a specific emphasis on skills for competitive swimming, and participating in swim meets. This is a great next step for PSS swimmers who have already worked hard to improve their swimming. SSC swimmers train mostly at early morning sessions.
How many swim meets am I required to swim in per year as an SSC Member?
There is no set limit. However, as a guide, it is recommended that our swimmers enter a minimum of 4 meets per year.
Keeping your diary up to date -
Upcoming events and schedules
How do I find out about upcoming meets and which ones SSC swimmers will enter?
Check out the Club Calendar on the SSC website regularly for information. SSC selects meets each year with different ones recommended for swimmers at different levels. The swimmers who are recommended to enter different meets are indicated in the posted meet information.
How do I keep up to date with what is happening and upcoming events?
Visit the website regularly. We post news stories on the SSC home page, and our Club Calendar lists all upcoming events including meet information, meet entries and meet results. Make sure any entries get in before each meet deadline.
You can also speak to your local Site Co-ordinator or check the notice board at your site. The details for your Site Co-ordinator are on our Sites and Contacts page.
Does the club have social events?
SSC holds some social events at each pool site, as well as some events for the whole team. For upcoming social events you will soon be able to view these on the SSC Calendar. Over time, we plan to expand the number of social events.
Training and Development
Where do I have to train? / Where can I train as a member?
There are currently 8 sites where SSC members can train - these are listed on our Sites and Contacts page. Ask your local Site Co-ordinator or reception for details of available sessions at your site.
How often do I have to train? / How many sessions do I need to attend per week?
There is no set rule about how often each swimmer must train with SSC, and we understand that there is a need to balance swimming with many other family responsibilities and constraints. However, our Head Coach has developed a Squad Structure that recommends the number of sessions for each swimmer depending on their level of development to help them set the best out of their individual abilities.
You can ask your local Site Coach for help with the number of sessions to start off with; their details are listed on our Sites and Contacts page.
The number of sessions available at each site may vary, and some sites provide sessions specifically targeted at swimmers who have reached higher levels of performance. Ask your local Site Co-ordinator or reception for details of available sessions at your site.
Entering meets and competing
Do I have to be a member to enter competitions?
Swimmers need to be registered with Swimming Victoria to enter most swim meets, aside from SSC-only Intraclub events. The cost of SSC Membership covers the cost of Swimming Victoria registration. Check out our Membership page for details on different levels of membership.
How do I know if my child is ready to enter competitions? / How will I know when I'm ready to enter competitions?
Consult your local Site Coach for help - you will find their details on our Sites and Contacts page. Usually our new SSC swimmers will start with encouragement meets where you receive good feedback on your technique and you can test out your abilities and look for areas for improvement. We try to ensure a supportive environment and understand the first time competing can be daunting to start with. It can be helpful to remember that you are swimming against yourself first, and enjoy when the PBs come as you improve from your training.
What events should I enter for competitions?
Before confirming events you will enter at any meet, you should consult with your local Site Coach - they can help parents/swimmers enter the most appropriate events. Sometimes, your Site Coach may suggest one or more challenging events, as well as your more favourite strokes - this helps you to keep improving. Many of our swimmers are pleasantly surprised to achieve PBs (Personal Bests) in some strokes when they least expect it! Your Site Coach will help to ensure that you only enter an event when you are sufficiently ready for it.
Do I have to enter all the meets on the SSC calendar?
No. The meet information posted on the Meet Calendar outlines which level of SSC swimmers are recommended to attend each meet. It is also preferred that SSC members swim in at least 4 recommended meets per year and no more than an average of one per month.
What support will my child receive to help them with their first competitions?
It is recommended that parents and first time competition swimmers talk to their Coach prior to entering and swimming in their first meet. This will help them to focus on their own performance, to set reasonable expectations, get the most learning out of their experience, and to feel comfortable about the process and requirements on the day. It is also important on the day for each swimmer to consult with the available SSC Meet Coach immediately after they return from their swim for some helpful tips and feedback.
What do I have to wear at meets? / Is there a uniform policy?
All club swimmers must wear a current SSC cap when competing. It is also preferred that swimmers who wear 'fast-skin' type bathers, wear either black or navy blue. (NOTE: From early 2009, Swimming Australia also has new rules around the type of 'fast-skin' bathers that are allowed to be worn at swim meets - check out their website for details).
Where do I go when I get to a swim meet - how do I find my SSC coach/teammates?
At most meets, seating depends on who gets there first! For this reason, you will need to look out for SSC shirts when you get to a meet and try to sit together with other swimmers and their families/friends if possible. In particular, look out for the Meet Coach attending the meet.
Where do I wait before my event?
Each Meet has a set area where swimmers are marshalled prior to their event and a board is usually displayed showing the event number currently being marshalled. The SSC Meet Coach at the Meet can help you with this, but remember that it is your responsibility to ensure you are aware of when to marshal for an event - so that you do not miss the race!
What are all those numbers written on swimmers hands at Meets?
Many swimmers use a pen to write on their hand, the numbers for the event, heat and lane for each race they will swim in. This helps swimmers to remember their events and when to marshal after they check out the race/meet programme which lists all heats that will be swum on the day of the Meet. For example '4-6-4-100 BR' would mean event 4, heat 6, lane 4 for the 100 Breaststroke.
Feedback, Questions and Talking to Coaches.
I have some feedback (or a concern). Who should I talk to?
Your first contact for feedback and questions is usually your Site Co-ordinator or your Site Coach (more detail on who to ask and when can be found on our Sites and Contacts page). More information about who you can contact is on our Communication page.
There is also the opportunity to give feedback via our website. See our Sites and Contacts page.
When is the best time to talk to the Coaches?
If you have a question for the Coach as a parent, it is best to ask questions immediately at the end of sessions (or before if there is time) so that the Coaches can concentrate on helping all the swimmers during the swim sessions.
I have a question or suggestion for the Club. What should I do with it?
SSC has a Communication Pathway Chart (see Communication) which has been set up to clarify who answers what questions - to help ensure your questions are answered accurately and as quickly as possible. The usual way to raise a question or suggestion is to talk to your local Site Co-ordinator or to complete a Member Feedback Form. These are available on the SSC notice board at each site and in email form. They allow members and their parents/guardians to ask questions or offer suggestions at any time throughout the season and allow members a direct link to the Site Co-ordinator, who is not always available in person when members are at the pool. Once completed, these forms can be either emailed back to the Site Co-ordinator from this website or posted in the SSC meet entry box at your local site.
More information is also available in our Sites and Contacts section of the website, including an online form you can fill in and send to the appropriate person.
I have a specific grievance that is not appropriate to raise with the Site Co-ordinator or Site Coach, who do I contact?
We treat concerns and grievances seriously. It is always preferable to first raise matters with your Site Co-ordinator or local Site Coach, but we recognise that this is not always possible or appropriate. As a club affiliated with Swimming Victoria, SSC operates in accordance with Swimming Australia policies and guidelines, follows associated Behavioural Guidelines and has an allocated Grievance Officer. For more information on the Guidelines, associated procedures and Grievance Procedures, please contact the SSC Secretary whose details can be found on the Sites and Contacts page.
Squad/Training Structures and Development Levels
Why are there different squad levels?
Our squad structure has been set up to help match the level of training to the level of current development, and to give our swimmers additional levels of achievement to strive for as they improve over time.
How do I move up between development levels?
Our Coaches regularly conduct time-trials over various distances to gauge swimmers current level of development and performance. Once the criteria are met for the next squad level, swimmers move to the next stage, where additional focus may be placed on some skills, and training requirements may increase.
Will I have to swim at different sites as I improve my swimming?
This depends on what sessions are available at your local site. Some of our swimmers attend sessions at more than one site so that they also train with swimmers of higher level ability. Keep in touch with your Site Co-ordinator for up-to-date information on sessions available at your site.
Achievements and Results
Where can I get results of swims?
Results will eventually be posted in our Competition Results section of the website as soon as possible after meets. This can take several days at times. In the meantime check your local noticeboard for results.
How are performances recognised?
SSC runs our own intraclub competitions where all SSC swimmers can swim at an SSC-only meet. Our Head Coach provides swimmers with ribbons and information recognising their performances on the day at the end of these meets.
Additionally, our Head Coach issues regular updates highlighting performances at meets. This will appear in our News section of the Site.
Our swimmers may also receive individual awards/medals/ribbons at individual swim meets depending on their performance on the day.
You may also check out the SSC noticeboard at each site for recent information on performances.
From the 2008/2009 season, swimmers who achieve qualifying times for Victoria Age (State) Championship level and National Age Championship levels will have access to additional special merchandise/clothing items to help recognise their achievement. More details will be posted on the Merchandise section of our website as they become available.
Club Uniform / Merchandise
Is there an official SSC Uniform and what do I have to purchase/wear?
SSC uniform consists of SSC bathers, a club polo shirt, club shorts and a club swim cap. The SSC swim cap is complimentary upon joining SSC.
We ask that swimmers wear the uniform proudly at Meets and as a minimum, all Club swimmers must wear the current SSC cap when competing. It is also preferred that swimmers who wear 'fast-skin' type bathers, wear either black or navy blue. (NOTE: From early 2009, Swimming Australia also has new rules around the type and style of 'fast-skins' that are allowed to be worn at Swim Meets - check out their Web Site for details.)
Polo-tops and other items are also available (these are optional) and even parents can purchase polo tops to support the Club if they wish.
Over time, the Club is adding a number of other merchandise items, including deck coats and tracksuits. Many of these items are OPTIONAL - we understand there are constraints for families on what can be purchased.
All items of the uniform can be viewed and purchased by following the instructions on our Merchandise section of this Site.
Are SSC branded items restricted to swimmers or can parents buy them too?
The Club sells SSC polo tops which are available as optional purchase items for family members and spectators. You may see many of them being worn by our team supporters at swim meets.
Are there any special uniform/merchandise items made available as swimmers reach higher levels of performance?
From the 2008/2009 season, swimmers who achieve qualifying times for Victorian Age (State) Championship level and National Age Championship levels will have access to additional special merchandise/clothing items to help recognise their achievment. More details will be posted on the Merchandise section of our website as they become available.
Staying up to date and getting involved.
How do I stay informed on the latest SSC news and developments?
1. This Web Site - we try to put the most current information on this Web Site so that you can check it regularly for all the latest news and upcoming met information.
2. E-mail - occasional update e-mails are forwarded to members. Over time, we will increasingly be relying on encouraging swimmers and their families to regularly check out this Website for updates.
3. SSC Noticeboard - Each site has a noticeboard specifically for SSC information. We recommend you read this board weekly to help keep up to date (although the Website will be the most up to date source of information).
Please note that there is a clearly marked SSC locked box at each site where entry forms and money for Swim Meets etc. can be placed.
How much do I need to get involved to help my child?
Parents will occassionally be asked to help with timekeeping for short periods at Swim Meets as SSC is required to provide volunteers at some Meets. The Coaches and other parents can help explain the simple task of timekeeping o make it easy.
We may also ask for your help with simple fundraising activities (such as selling chocolates) at times.
You also may seek election to the SSC Committee, with elections for parent positions held at our Annual General Meeting each year.
How do I get involved in helping SSC?
Our parents are one of the keys to our success. Not only are they the people who provide us with members but they support the club in many varying ways.
Volunteering your time to SSC allows us to provide a better environment for your child to participate in. It can also give you an opportunity to meet other adults and make new friends.
There are many simple ways to get involved:
- Join the SSC Committee
- Become an official or a timekeeper - Our Head Coach runs occasional brief timekeeping clinics at the start of our Intraclub meets to help show how easy it is to timekeep.
- Assist with fundraising activities (we are working at establishing fundraising groups at each Site - remember that SSC is a non-profit organization).
- Be a car pool driver to training or meets.
If you are interested in volunteering your time in any capacity, please contact your local Site Co-ordinator.