Junior Group 

This group will encompass swimmers who have put their primary focus on swimming yet still have secondary interests that they wish to pursue.  This will include swimmers who are committed to the sport but also plan on participating in high school swimming or other various high school athletic endeavours.  This group will include those swimmers who have obtained silver through regional championship times.  Participation in this group does not preclude the swimmer from reaching their highest potential of possibly participating in US championships higher than silver nor does it preclude participating in the Sunkissed championship.  Swimmers in this group are expected to attend 90% of their practice and drylands.  They will attend at least one day of every meet and are working on attending more, at meets they will wear the team white t-shirt on Thursday, Charcoal on Friday, Black on Saturday and Silver on Sunday with team swimwear.  They may only wear tech suits when attending Age Groups, Y New Englands or Sunkissed.   This group is required to have their own team suit, goggles, water bottles, mesh bag, kickboards, pull buoys, fins, paddles, snorkels and warmup jacket.  

PRACTICE:  

MOVING UP A GROUP:  

HAY forms its practice groups based on skill level and age. Moving up to a higher level is merit-based and not based on how long you have been in a practice group. 

Within each practice group, coaches focus on techniques, skills and intervals that are best suited for our swimmers’ development. We strive to develop the athlete in place and then move to the next training program when the athlete is ready both mentally and physically. We take a long-term approach to your athlete’s developmental path. Attendance + Effort = Success.  We will factor both attendance and practice effort into the decision as each level requires increased commitment.

The most effective way for our coaches to know your swimmer is by watching them swim in practice and at swim meets. The best indicator of how a swimmer will perform at the next level is based on how they swim in practice each day.
 Swimmers and parents may inquire about a swimmer’s readiness for the next level at any time throughout the year, however, moves will only happen at the start of each season. Coaches will consider the following when evaluating an athlete’s readiness for moving up:

• Athlete’s Goals
• Lane Leadership & Practice Attitude
• Listening and implementing coach guidance
• Attendance at practices & meets 
• Understanding drills & technique
• Perception of the athlete’s ability to handle the next level of practices

Moving to a higher level can be very challenging for athletes and their parents due to the increased time at the pool and/or the increased level of exertion in the new workouts. 

To move from Juniors you MUST be over 12, have a high level of maturity, attend all meets and majority of practices/drylands offered, and show a willingness to reach personal goals

MANDATORY MEETS THIS SEASON: