Our Squads

Unlock your athletic potential in our dynamic training programs!

From junior development squads to state and national training groups, we provide a pathway for every aspiring athlete. Our daily programs are crafted to challenge you, focusing on technique, fitness, and strength development. To enhance your performance, we integrate group strength and conditioning sessions tailored to each athlete's specific needs.

Which squad is right for my swimmer?

Every swimmer’s journey is different. Squads are based on skills, confidence, and readiness, not age alone.

new to squads → start in Development or Future Waves (pre-squad)
ready for your first racing → District
racing regularly → Junior Performance
aiming for higher competition → Target National or National
swimming for fitness → Mavericks or Masters

Not sure? Book an assessment and our coaches will guide you to the best fit.

Explore your competitive potential with our development and district squads. These squads provide a supportive introduction to competitive swimming, focusing on skill development, confidence, and enjoyment of racing.

Development

The development squad builds strong technique, endurance, and early competitive skills, preparing swimmers for their first swim meets.

Ages: typically 7–11 (male and female)

Training Required

two swimming sessions per week
each session runs for 1 hour, plus dryland

What Swimmers Will Be Able To Do

Swimmers in the development squad are introduced to squad training and competitive swimming. Over time, they will:

become comfortable swimming all four strokes in a squad setting
build the fitness to swim continuously during a one-hour session
learn basic starts and turns in a supportive environment
gain confidence swimming short race distances
understand how squad sessions work, including lane etiquette and listening to coaches
experience encouragement and club swim meets in a positive and enjoyable way

Skills and Performance Focus

Swimmers in the development squad build strong foundations for future squad training. They practise:

legal starts and turns
all four strokes, including developing butterfly and breaststroke
improving endurance and learning basic race skills

Racing Expectations

Swimmers are encouraged to:

compete regularly at encouragement and club swim meets
gain confidence racing in a supportive environment

Strength and Conditioning

Age-appropriate dryland activities focus on balance, coordination, and general movement skills. Sessions use simple exercises and games.

District

The district squad prepares swimmers for regular competition, with an increased focus on race skills, efficiency, and performance across all four strokes.

Ages: typically 9–13 (male and female)

Training Required

three to four swimming sessions per week
each session runs for 1.5 hours, plus dryland

What Swimmers Will Be Able To Do

Swimmers in this squad continue to develop the fitness and skills needed to train for longer periods of time. They practise:

swimming all strokes over longer distances
swimming at steady and faster speeds
kicking and pulling exercises to build strength and technique

Training sessions may include longer swimming blocks (up to 30–45 minutes) to improve endurance, speed, and race readiness.

Skills and Performance Focus

Swimmers work towards:

swimming all four strokes correctly over race distances
completing longer individual medley events
strong starts, turns, and finishes
efficient underwater skills after starts and turns
maintaining good technique and breathing during races

Racing Expectations

Swimmers are expected to:

compete regularly at club and district swim meets
attend recommended competitions and warm-ups
learn how to prepare for races and meet entry standards

Strength and Conditioning

Dryland activities support overall athletic development, including balance, coordination, flexibility, and movement. Sessions use age-appropriate exercises and games.

Junior Performance

Supports committed swimmers who are ready to increase training demands and focus on performance outcomes. This squad builds advanced race skills, endurance, and mental preparation while continuing to develop strong technique across all four strokes.

Typically 11–14 years (male and female)

Training required

5-6 swim sessions per week
1-2 dryland or gym sessions per week

Skills and performance focus

Swimmers in Junior Performance are developing the ability to train and race at higher intensity. They will work on:

maintaining strong technique under increased training load
changing speed while keeping stroke efficiency
improved underwater skills off starts and turns
race plans, pacing, and event-specific skills
breathing control and technique under race conditions

Swimmers build endurance through longer aerobic training and threshold sets.

Racing expectations

Swimmers are expected to:

compete regularly at club, district, and qualifying meets
begin targeting qualifying times for state and metro competitions
understand race preparation, warm-ups, and recovery

Strength and conditioning

Dryland training is introduced and increases in frequency. This includes:

dynamic warm-ups and flexibility routines
posture, balance, and whole-body strength development
light jump and landing skills
dryland sessions three to four times per week

All strength work is age-appropriate and closely supervised.

Athlete development and mindset

Junior Performance swimmers are supported to develop:

leadership and positive team behaviour
commitment, accountability, and time management
confidence, focus, and emotional control in training and racing
goal setting, visualisation, and positive self-talk

Pathway focus

This squad prepares swimmers for progression into senior performance pathways while reinforcing long-term commitment, enjoyment, and resilience in the sport.

Focused Training for Age State and National Championships with a Driven Team Pursuing Swimming Excellence

National and target national squads

Typically 12 years and above (male and female)
Placement is based on performance, commitment, and coach selection rather than age alone.

The National and Target National squads support high-performance swimmers who are committed to advanced training, competition, and long-term athlete development. These squads focus on refining race skills, maximising efficiency, and preparing swimmers for state and national-level competition.

Training required

six to eight swims per week
sessions range from 1.5-2 hours
additional dryland sessions each week

Skills and performance focus

Swimmers continue to refine advanced racing skills and efficiency. They work on:

swimming faster with fewer strokes
controlling speed through stroke length and stroke rate
precise race pacing for different events
maintaining technique under high training and race pressure
advanced starts, turns, underwater work, and finishes

Training includes aerobic endurance, sprint capacity, and race-specific sets.

Racing expectations

Swimmers are expected to:

compete regularly at state and national competitions
achieve qualifying times for state age, open, and national events
demonstrate consistent race preparation and performance standards

Strength and conditioning

Dryland training is an essential part of the program and runs alongside swim training. This includes:

structured strength and athletic development programs
plyometric training with a focus on safe landing and power
posture, flexibility, and injury-prevention work
dryland sessions four to five times per week

Programs are closely monitored and adapted to support physical, emotional, and training demands.

Athlete development and mindset

National and Target National swimmers are expected to demonstrate:

leadership and positive role modelling
strong time-management and commitment
advanced focus, confidence, and emotional control
goal setting, visualisation, and positive self-talk
resilience and the ability to perform under pressure

Pathway focus

These squads prepare swimmers for long-term success at the highest levels of competition, while supporting balanced athlete development and continued enjoyment of the sport.

Mavericks

Maverick is a fitness-based program designed to support teenagers who want to stay active, improve swimming fitness, and enjoy structured training without the focus on competition. The program focuses on building fitness, endurance, and confidence in a supportive and social training environment.

Who is Maverick for?

Maverick is suited to teens who are:

interested in swimming for fitness and wellbeing
balancing swimming with other sports or activities
returning to swimming after a break
not currently focused on competitive racing

What to expect

Maverick sessions introduce swimmers to fitness-based training in a supportive, learning-focused environment. Sessions are led by experienced coaches and focus on participation, consistency, and personal improvement. Swimmers will be guided through:

general swimming fitness and endurance
stroke technique for efficiency and injury prevention
structured fitness sets
personal fitness goals

Sessions are designed to be engaging, social, and enjoyable, with flexibility to suit different fitness levels.

Pathway outcomes

Maverick provides swimmers with the opportunity to:

maintain fitness through swimming
build confidence and consistency in training
enjoy swimming as a lifelong activity
transition back into squad swimming if goals change

We believe swimming should never come to a fixed end. Our goal is to foster a lifelong love of swimming that supports fitness, wellbeing, and enjoyment.

Flexibility and support

We understand teenagers balance swimming with school, sport, and other commitments. Where possible, we aim to be flexible and supportive of individual schedules. Our coaching team is committed to creating a positive, inclusive environment for all Maverick swimmers.

Masters is a swimming program designed to support adults who want to stay active, improve fitness, and enjoy swimming in a structured and social environment. The program allows swimmers to continue a lifelong love of swimming, with options focused on fitness and enjoyment, as well as opportunities for competitive Masters racing.

Masters Squad Training

Who is Masters for?

Masters is for adults who want to swim for fitness, fun, and feeling good. Without any pressure. It’s perfect if you:

enjoy swimming as a workout
are getting back into swimming after time away
are juggling work, family, and life
like training in a friendly, social group
might be curious about Masters racing (but don’t have to be)

What to expect

Masters sessions are relaxed, welcoming, and fitness-focused. You’ll train with other adults in a supportive environment, led by experienced coaches who focus on helping you feel comfortable, confident, and consistent in the water. Sessions include:

swimming for fitness and endurance
simple technique tips to help you swim better and feel stronger
structured but flexible sets
personal goals at your own pace

There’s no pressure to race. Just turn up, move your body, and enjoy the session.

Your options:

Masters swimming is flexible, and you can choose what suits you.

Fit Masters

A social, fitness-focused option with no competition required.

Masters competitive

For swimmers who enjoy racing and want to compete at Masters swim meets.

We believe swimming should never come to a hard stop. Our aim is to support a lifelong love of swimming, for fitness, wellbeing, and enjoyment at any stage of life.

Training and expectations

Age: 18+

Training:

attend one or more sessions per week
no minimum attendance or performance expectations
You should be comfortable swimming all four strokes

Membership and bookings

Masters Competitive swimmers need an annual Masters Swimming membership to race.

Future Waves is our pre-squad pathway, designed to support swimmers as they transition from learn-to-swim into fitness or competitive squad programs.

Future Waves

Future Waves is suited to swimmers who are:

progressing from YSS Crocodile level
interested in fitness or competitive swimming
building confidence, endurance, and squad awareness
not yet ready for full development or fitness squads

What to expect

Future Waves sessions introduce swimmers to squad foundations in a supportive, learning-focused environment. Sessions are led by experienced swim teachers who have a strong interest in developing as swim coaches, ensuring a consistent and educational approach.

Swimmers will be guided through:

lane etiquette and swimming in larger groups
understanding and using the pace clock
effective warm-ups and session structure
setting personal swimming goals

Sessions may include up to fifteen minutes out of the water for education, followed by in-water training.

Pathway outcomes

Future Waves provides swimmers with the confidence and skills to:

progress into fitness squads
trial development or competitive squads
continue swimming long term in a supportive environment

We believe swimming should never come to a fixed end. Our goal is to foster a lifelong love of swimming. It builds water safety, supports overall wellness, complements other sports, and develops breathing control and lifelong fitness.

Flexibility and support

We understand many swimmers balance swimming with other sports. Where possible, we aim to be flexible and work with families to accommodate preferred days and times. Our coaching team is confident in this pathway change and is committed to supporting swimmers and families throughout the transition.

Program fees

Future Waves operates on a term-based structure. Fees are payable to Yarra Swim School at the commencement of each term or upon commencement.

Enquiries

For all enquiries, please contact Yarra Swim School. Visit: www.yarraswimschool.com.au/contact

Contact YSS

Attend one session per week. Bookings are required with Yarra Swim School.

Future Waves Enquiries
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1 hr
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Squad Pathway Assessment
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30 min
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Junior Performance Squad Trial
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1 hr 30 min
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National Squad Trial
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1 hr 30 min
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Masters Free Trial
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Mavericks Trial
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Squad Standards

At Yarra Plenty Waves, we strive to create a safe, supportive, and high-performing environment where every swimmer reaches their full potential. Our Squad Standards guide swimmers of all levels towards success.

Lane Etiquette

Safety First: Yield to faster swimmers and overtake cautiously. Maintain a minimum of 10 meters or 10 seconds between you and the swimmer ahead (or as instructed by your coach).
Clock Awareness: Be responsible for starting and finishing sets on time. Learn how to use the clock effectively.
Teamwork: Support and encourage your teammates. Prioritise perfect technique over excessive speed.
Respect the Flow: Swim clockwise and be mindful of your surroundings. Toilet breaks only between sets.
Ask & Listen: Clarify any doubts with your coach or teammates. Always wear your YPW training cap swim cap.

All Squads

Maximise your Time: Arrive early for activations (with or without teammates) and come prepared to give your best.
Be Informed: Read and understand the whiteboard instructions before starting.
Technical Focus: Execute turns when necessary and streamline off every wall.
Integrity: Don't cheat sets; train hard for personal growth. Race how you train, train how you want to race.
Team Spirit: Support, encourage, and respect each other. No negativity or bad language tolerated.
Open Communication: Keep your coach informed about absences, feelings, and any other relevant information. This helps them gauge your well-being and optimise training.

Equipment

Hydration is Key: Bring a water bottle to every session.
Be Prepared: Invest in a kit bag and recommended equipment from the Squad Equipment List. Take responsibility for your belongings.
Professional Appearance: Wear your YPW training cap during all sessions.

Remember: Your coach is your partner in progress. Be positive, helpful, and enthusiastic. Embrace these standards and achieve your swimming goals!

Our Squads

Which squad is right for my swimmer?

Development

Training Required

What Swimmers Will Be Able To Do

Skills and Performance Focus

Racing Expectations

Strength and Conditioning

District

Training Required

What Swimmers Will Be Able To Do

Skills and Performance Focus

Racing Expectations

Strength and Conditioning

Future Waves Enquiries

Squad Pathway Assessment

Junior Performance Squad Trial

National Squad Trial

Masters Free Trial

Mavericks Trial

Squad Standards

Lane Etiquette

All Squads

Equipment

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