Vision

AquaGym Swim Club - the most successful Swim Club in New Zealand with swimmers racing at international level

AquaGym has been active now for well over two decades within the Canterbury/ West Coast region. It has had time to mature. AquaGym was formally Avon Aquatics until 1994 when it became AquaGym Incorporated. For two decades, it was under the guidance of Brett Naylor as Coaching Director who along with another elite swim coach, Clive Power, lead the way in Aquatic Education and competitive coaching in New Zealand. Today, AquaGym is an independent legal entity known as the AquaGym Swim Club Incorporated.

In 2008,   AquaGym completed a review of its operations and structure, following which it revised its constitution and established a Board to govern the AquaGym Swim Club Incorporated into the future. The Club continues to enjoy a close working relationship with Brett and Colleen Naylor of Pro Aqua Services Ltd.  with Brett being invited to be Club Patron.

Values

The 5 key values that define AquaGym Swim Club are:

• WINNING ATTITUDE – Long term success from regional to international level
• COMMITMENT – Achieving personal success, be the best you can be, having fun
• RESPECT – Family friendly, sportsmanship, recognition
• TEAM WORK – Being a strong cohesive team, supporting each other
• LEADERSHIP - Produce more leaders, not more followers

We strongly believe in and live by our club values. These are the important principles which guide us all. They are entrenched in our tradition and history and provide direction for our future. They remain a constant throughout changes of swimmers, parents, committees and staff. By being a member of AquaGym Swim Club you are expected to embrace and contribute to our values and success!

Philosophy

Our philosophy is very simple:

• ATHLETE FOCUSSED
• COACH DIRECTED
• PROCESS DRIVEN
• BOARD GOVERNED
• ADMINISTRATIVELY SUPPORTED
• PARENTAL PARTICIPATION

AquaGym is very proud to operate one of the best Competitive programmes in New Zealand. Our goal is to create a stimulating and challenging environment where success becomes inevitable. We believe in excellence at all levels from Junior Development to the Performance Squad.

AquaGym Swim Club

The Swim Club is governed by a Board consisting of 7 members. The Board employs the Head Coach who appoints her  own team to help her to achieve the Club’s  key objectives. The Board and the Head Coach are guided  by comprehensive job descriptions and a clear management process to achieve success. The Club Strategic  Plan is the key focus at the monthly Board meeting. The AGM is held every May when members of the Board  are elected.

The key role of the Club is to help formulate policy, provide and develop competitive opportunities, fundraise and develop a support network for its members.

AquaGym Swim Club is managed by the Head Coach through 6 distinct Leadership Areas:

• Coaching
• Junior  Development Competitions
• Membership Support
• Administration and Partnerships
• Sponsorship and Funding

Competitive Programme Structure

AquaGym Swim Club provides coaching for a competitive training programme for swimmers who have graduated from Learn to Swim and Junior Development programmes and who are  ready to focus on a competition programme and are race ready.

There are three  squads – Warriors, Titians and Gladiators

Competitive Squad Expectations

Warrrior Squad

• Attend at least 90 per cent of the monthly workouts unless otherwise directed by the Squad Coach
• Commit to the Competition Programme
• Commit to the Dryland Programme
• Compete successfully at National Juniors and Division 2 Nationals with top end swimmers competing at National Age Groups

Titian   Squad

• Attend at least 90 per cent of the monthly workouts unless otherwise directed by the Squad Coach
• Commit to the Competition Programme
• Commit to the Dryland Programme
• Compete successfully at National Age Group, Open and Spring   Championships with top end swimmers competing at Summer Championships and higher

This means that Titians are required per week to complete:

• 7 swim sessions
• 1 Pilates or yoga session
• 2 aerobic activities (e.g. bike/run/soccer game)
• Race at national level meets and local meets representing Aquagym.
• Gym sessions at coach's discretion.

Gladiator Squad

•  9 swim sessions
• 2 gym sessions
• 1 Pilates or yoga session
• 2 aerobic activities (e.g. bike/run/soccer game)

Junior Development Programme Members

Swimmers who are in a Junior Development programme with AquaGym Pool Facility and other pools in Christchurch are very welcome to become members of the Club while not being coached by an AquaGym Swim Club coach. The Club will provide these Junior members with:

• Pool side support at Meets  and  Junior Carnivals  from Team Managers and Coaches as they start on the competitive pathway
• Club newsletters with information on the future events, swimming techniques and tools
• Club Education nights on nutrition, fitness etc.
• Club competition nights
• Club social and team building events
• An easy and supported transition from a Junior Development Programme to a competitive squad
• Parent support and information

Venue

AquaGym Swim Club trains out of two Christchurch Pools:

• AquaGym Swim Centre, Cashel Street, Linwood
• QE2 Park Leisure Centre, Travis Road