How common is bullying in swimming clubs?

[noeyedear]

Originally Posted by Taxing

In the top training group.

Slightly longer training times as well, although there is an "elite" for want of a better word lane which is for the best 10 or so who train a bit longer than the rest

yep, i twigged that once you mentioned speedo league but if she's fast enough to stay with the others in this squad then surely this is where she should be or am i missing something ?

[Taxing]

Oh she's fast enough alright

In fact she's probably faster than some, just lacking experience in the longer swims and training sessions that some of them have.

Apparently she's a joy to coach as she's so keen and very attentive - something that some others are't which is probably another reason for the bullying I guess

[Bully]

Originally Posted by noeyedear

how many swimmers do you have at windsor bully ?

At present we have something like 330 in total, this accounts for appx 200 in the learn to swim program, and then appx 130 in the competitive learning to train/compete program.

Originally Posted by Taxing

As she's in a rather junior club it's not uncommon for young swimmers to get to the top group, she actually ended up swimming in the open f/s relay in round 2 of the speedos when we took a rather young team as one of the 12 y's was too tired.

I'm not sure what you mean by a jnr club, if you have 19 year olds in your top squad I wouldn't consider this jnr?
If you need to swim 11/12 year olds up in the open age group just for Speedo, I would question why you are doing Speedo, I would consider this the last of the clubs priority's?

Originally Posted by Taxing

I played county schools cricket and that was tough enough, it's really up to her to decide how far she wants to go (although last night she started asking to do extra training at the local pool outside of club hours! Yes she's quite keen.....)

With all respect, any 11/12 year old would like to have all the sweets off the shelf, but we know this would make her ill, so would you let her have all the sweets, just because she is keen?
Part of her development is learning to train, and this takes times, so I would not allow her to do any extra training other than what she is already doing at the club under the supervision of a qualified coach.

[Taxing]

Thanks Bully,especially the last point.

Was trying to exlain to her that she needs to be coached and not just swim.

With regard to the speedo thing, as I said was a very young team that was taken there (usual drop outs etc leading to only a couple of genuine open competitors) and so the need was there once the club decided to attend the fixture.

And despite this they didn'tcome last either, which was pretty creidtable given the youth of the team.

[noeyedear]

Originally Posted by Bully

With all respect, any 11/12 year old would like to have all the sweets off the shelf, but we know this would make her ill, so would you let her have all the sweets, just because she is keen?
Part of her development is learning to train, and this takes times, so I would not allow her to do any extra training other than what she is already doing at the club under the supervision of a qualified coach.

bully, you are wise beyond your years, apologies for the hijack but how does your club educate the parents in these matters and get them to understand that just because little johnny is really fast at 50 free doesn't mean he should be training with the best in the club ?

[Taxing]

One of the criteria for advancement within our club is the 800m time

Only once a certain level is reached can a swimmer be put up (although that isn't the only criterion- attitude etc are taken into account, and swimmers not performing can be and have been, put down groups)

But you all make good points about 50m times not relating to the groups that people should be in. Training sessions where 1000's of metres are being swum mean that 50m is of limited meaningful use.

[Apostle]

We have national finalists at our club that are still in our A squad rather than the top squad. This is because is following the right principles of moving up people as they develop not just because they are quick enough.

The LTAD is prettty clear on this and suggests that those who are progressed too quickly will inevitably have a shorter swimming career than those that develop properly.

An 11 year old does not need to be doing top squad distances / times in training just because she can keep up.

[Taxing]

Thanks guys, all good info

[Bully]

And getting back to your original question, Jealousy is not unique to swimming, and I can't stress enough the importance of you asking after every session if she had any problems, and asking the coach the same.
Your daughter needs comfort in knowing that you are supporting her 100%, and that you believe her 100%, also I would suggest in praising her for telling you, and having had the experience herself, what she she should do in the event that she hears anyone else bullying anyone else.
These are my opinions based on experiences of bullying as an age group coach, and I dealt with it succesfully, and also successfully dealing with bullying my own daughter was subjected to at her school.
It can be dealt with quietly and on a personal/professional level, without threatening to punch another parents lights out, although that can work too

[Taxing]

She is still young enough to want to tell us everything which is good, and she's determined not to let thembeat her

As for punching the other parents - I wouldn't do that........

[GettingFaster]

As an aside, I think there's a Speedo Junior competition, not just what is now the National Swimming League.

[Taxing]

the club swims in the Kent junior league as well which is, to be fair I think, more of a priority

[Bully]

Yes we also take part in Jnr leagues, we have the Thames Valley Jnr League & Milton Keynes Region Jnr League. These are great fun, and can indicate if your teaching program is working.
I agree with Apostle, we also have 13 year old National finalists who are still not ready for the Top Squad, and in my opinion having 11 year olds training with 19 year olds is not in the best interests of either age groups.

[Taxing]

Could well have a point Bully, but it's not abig club and to be fair they have several lanes with the youngest in the "slowest" lane for want of a better word.

[Bully]

Originally Posted by Taxing

Could well have a point Bully, but it's not abig club and to be fair they have several lanes with the youngest in the "slowest" lane for want of a better word.

Hey I'm not knocking it, if it works for you and your coach then it works.
I don't know your set up, so I shouldn't really comment or criticise but it's just not something I would consider if I was the head coach regardless of the size of the club.
There is nothing to stop you coaching 1 or 2 squads at the same time, but I just wouldn't move young swimmers in to what I would consider my top squad.