Swimming Stratford: new name for local clubs | Taranaki Sport | Surfing, Rugby, Soccer, Football, Cricket in Taranaki

Stratford Amateur Swimming Club and Flyers Swim School are joining forces to create a new swimming education body for the area: Swimming Stratford.

This will bring to the Stratford district a more cohesive learn-to-swim experience that will benefit the swimmers by having a defined pathway through the ages and stages of a child's swimming education.

Stratford district and the surrounding schools have been well represented locally, regionally and nationally by our district's swimmers. Two reasons for this strong representation are the well-established and long running Stratford Amateur Swimming Club and the Flyers Swim Squad and School, both based at the Stratford TSB pool.

Combining the swimming club's learn-to-swim programme and the Flyers Swim School has many benefits for swimmers and families. A clearly defined pathway will be created for swimmers to reach the development squad level. From there, swimmers are encouraged to take part in competitive club events and local carnivals. The progression for swimmers from the swim school to the development squads depends upon individuals mastering breathing techniques and freestyle stroke technique. Young swimmers are also introduced to other strokes and skills. Advancement from the swim school to the development squad can occur anywhere between 7 to 12 years of age, depending on experience and training.

Swimming Stratford offers all swimmers who register with the swim school or the development squads, the opportunity to come along to our club nights, which are held fortnightly. We encourage swimmers to compete in races, giving instruction and guidance along the way. Swimmers that attend club nights have the opportunity to compete in the Stratford Amateur Swimming Club championships and attain points towards the club's aggregate cups. Regardless of pool or squad swum with all swimmers are welcome to become Stratford Amateur Swimming Club members.

As a registered Quality Swim School, we fit the industry benchmark for defined best practice standards in our swim teaching industry. Each swimmer is registered on Swim New Zealand's national database. This enables members to be kept up-to-date with new developments in swimming and keep close contact with Swimming New Zealand and industry specialists. Stratford Swimming instructors and coaches are qualified with Swimming New Zealand. Ongoing education is a requirement of the staff. We keep our classes small (four children per instructor in small pool, five per instructor in middle pool) and each is supervised by the swimming co-ordinator who liases with the instructors to make sure each child's needs are being met. Early childhood teachers, mothers whose own children swim with us, and competitive swimmers, all bring their own special skills as experienced instructors to Swimming Stratford.

We encourage older competitive swimmers to become instructors, as they understand the technique and a have a natural talent for passing this on. Helping young adults of Stratford learn life skills is important to Swimming Stratford.

Clive Wheeler, one of the top coaches in New Zealand, having reached the level of high performance coach, coaches and manages the Flyers Swim Squad, and is involved with managing the Flyers Swim School. Aimee Woodhead has 15 years experience in the swimming industry. She co-ordinates the swimming lessons for Swimming Stratford, deals with all enquiries and places children in the correct group, and assesses and encourages the children through the swimming levels.

Margaret Higgison and Mirium Key have been coaching with Stratford Amateur Swimming Cup for many years and will continue to provide their expertise and guidance to swimmers with Swimming Stratford.

Session Times are: Mondays 6-7.30, Tuesdays 3.30-7.30, Wednesdays 6.30-7.30, Thursdays 3.30-7.30 Clubnights every fortnight from 7pm.