5 Steps to join Northcote Swim Club

Are you interested in joining our competitive training squad?

Step 1: Are you ready to start training for competitive swimming?

Squad training is a big step-up for young swimmers from the learn-to-swim programs. Swimmers are expected to have good stroke technique before joining a squad. They also need to have enough endurance and speed to keep up with their fellow squad members, or the entire squad has to slow down. Our coaches hate having to tell young swimmers that they are not quite ready for squad, so please consider a couple of questions carefully as a family.

Has your young swimmer completed a learn-to-swim program?

Can they confidently swim at least 50 metres of freestyle, backstroke, and breaststroke, and around 25 metres of butterfly with the correct technique?

Do they have the stamina to keep up with the demands of squad?

If you answered no to any of these questions, you might want to look at the Bundeye and Cable stroke development classes available through the BrightSwim program and NARC.

Step 2: Tryout with one of our coaches

All new members need to have a trial to determine if they are ready for squad, and if so, which squad they should enrol in.

Our current squad structure is: Junior Bronze (1-2 x 60-minute sessions per week), Junior Silver (2-3 90-minute sessions per week), Junior Gold (4-5 90-minute sessions per week), Senior (5+ 90-minute sessions per week plus dryland conditioning), and Youth (2-4 90-minute sessions per week).

A swimmer’s movement between squads is determined in consultation with our coaches, and is dependent on a combination of their performance, personal goals and commitment to the required training.

Note: Our entry level squads – Junior Bronze and Junior Silver – are currently at capacity. We are working hard behind the scenes to be able to add more swimmers soon. Email us to be put on the waiting list for a try-out session.

Email registrar.northcote@gmail.com to request a try-out session with one of our coaches.

Step 3: Register with Swimming Victoria

Head over to Swim Central, the Swimming Victoria website.

Parents and guardians, first register yourself as a dryland member and create a family group.

Then register your young swimmer by selecting their squad.

Note: If you are experiencing financial hardship, you may be able to apply for assistance through the Victorian government’s Active Kids program.

Step 4: Enrol in squad classes through NARC

Our enrolments are management by the Clublinks team at NARC.

Head to the swimming lessons section of the NARC website to sign up.

Step 5: Download TeamAPP

1. All of our communications are done through TeamApp on your phone. Download the app, find Northcote Swim Club, and keep an eye out for messages about club happenings, meets, and everything else.

You can find all the details and relevant links here.

We hope to see you soon on pool deck!