NYAC
Training
Group Profile
| Age
2
in the Spotlight January 2010 |  | |
This year's Age 2 group is comprised of 23 dedicated swimmers ranging from 9 to 14 years of age. These swimmers train four times a week and compete at one to two swim meets a month. It is definitely a privilege to coach the Age 2 group for the second time. I absolutely love coaching this group of swimmers because they each bring youth, enthusiasm, and character to every practice. | ||
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The
Age Group Program fits very well within the NYAC model since this is the program
where swimmers begin to get a taste of competitive training. In this program swimmers
begin to strive for their swimming goals (i.e. Central Regional and Junior Provincial
standards) and they learn how to train hard for what they want to achieve. | ||
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Goal
setting is one of the most important aspects a swimmer should possess. The goal
for the Age 2 group is to have swimmers compete at the Central Region level. Once
they have achieved this goal, the next step is to aim for Junior Provincials standards.
To assist swimmers setting personal goals, every Age 2 swimmer was given a goal
book at the beginning of the year, in which they write a personal reflection on
how they performed or what they believe they could improve on at every swim meet
and/or practice. They may also write down their short term and long term goals,
which they would like to achieve by the end of the season. By utilizing goal books,
a swimmer can see how they are progressing during the year and what they need
to do to achieve and strive for the personal goals. Constant review of these goals
is important. | ||
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Most people would believe that swimming is an individual sport, but I believe that it is rather a team sport. To me, teamwork is essential and it is something I do want to teach all Age 2 swimmers. How is competitive swimming a team sport? Swimmers may have their own personal goals in what they want to work on, but all swimmers do train in the same pool at the same practice. With the support of peers and family, a swimmer can gain higher confidence and higher self-esteem. Peers help swimmers feel motivated, enabling them to achieve personal goals faster with a stronger belief in themselves. In the Age 2 group, swimmers build on teamwork by taking turns in leading dry land exercises for the group. They learn how to take the initiative at swim practices by leading their lanes. They all have participated in Secret Santa in December and will be having their first group outing this January. Many great thanks to Sara and Abba (Ayelet's parents) for hosting the Age 2 ice skating party. This will give the opportunity to swimmers to build on a stronger friendship with their swim peers outside of the pool environment and to demonstrate their ice skating skills! =) | ||
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I am very pleased with this group's performance both at practice and swim meets. All Age 2 swimmers have demonstrated team spirit on and off deck. They have cheered on their teammates so loudly at swim meets that their voices were crackling by the end of the first day of the competition. To top it off, Age 2 began the season with two Central Region qualifiers, and is hoping to have approximately 13 Central Region qualifiers at the upcoming meet. | ||
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Here are some current highlights - Amy will be competing at this year's Junior Provincials at Etobicoke Olympium - Sherief, Adam, and Abbie are less than 1 to 3 seconds away from Junior Provincials in the 100m Breast event - Andrew is less than 4 seconds away from Junior Provincials in the 100m Back event - Jamie, Heidi, Andrew, and Amy are now fully qualified for Central Region Short Course Champs in February - Marissa, Maddy, Mary-Kate, Adam, Abbie, Chloe, Matti, Sherief, and Stephen will be aiming for the Central Region pre-reqs and/or time standards for the next three weekends - Special recognition for the cheeriest swimmers of all goes out to Henrietta, Heidi, Mary-Kate, Kaitlyn, Jordan, Ayelet, Cameron, Bethany, McKinley, and Mark - All swimmers have shown massive improvements in their swim technique and skills - special acknowledgment to Matti, Adam, Stanley, Katie, Sherief, Marissa, and Mark Many "special thanks" to the Age 2 hard-working pool reps, Stan and Rita! They have done an awesome job in communicating with parents on monthly events and current NYAC news. I wish all swimmers best of luck this swim season!
One
on One with Sarah AGE
= Attitude Goals Enthusiasm | ||
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