The Delta Aquatics Swim Team provides an opportunity for each of our swimmers to experience successful improvement by the careful structuring of our training program. Our coaching staff has established a plan designed for our athlete's career development. We must emphasize to all our members that the basis of our strategy is producing long-term participation in our sport. The method we will use is called the Progressions for Delta Development. The plan provides a structured avenue that each swimmer travels leading to their development as a whole person; physically, emotionally, mentally and socially. It also enables and motivates each swimmer through successive levels advancing to final enjoyment and fulfillment. The groups will be recognized as follows:

To view the updated Progressions for Delta Development Chart, please click here. 

Training Group Progressions:

The Progressions for Delta Development give specific examples of what an athlete may need to accomplish at different levels to reach their potential. Since swimmers are multi-dimensional they may develop at different rates and may excel in some areas faster than others. These progressions were developed to provide direction for the development of each swimmer and as such are continually being evaluated and upgraded as needed. Copies of the current standards are available at the Oswego East High School Pool, from any of the coaches, or by clicking here.

In creating these progressions some new team concepts were created. There will now be sequential links between each of the groups on our club. All of our Delta groups are integrally connected to the overall team success and are vital in their contributions. In planning advancement from one training group to another, the coaches will work closely with both swimmers and parents.

Our goal in offering this new Team Development Plan is to better serve the interests and needs of our members. We have a diverse population of swimmers on our team with varying levels of dedication. The future success of our club lies not in how these differences divide us, but in how they unite us. In seeking to accommodate each swimmer's needs through a season, a year and a career, the coaches linked our teams' training groups closer together. Our goal is the creation of continuity and recognition for all the groups and swimmers. This process allows for the occasional detour during career planning, yet still provides opportunity for on-going development.

Each Group Level is organized to include similar categories for easy comparison. These divisions allow a swimmer to recognize past performance, evaluate present ability and plan future expectations. Experts agree that major factors in motivation stem from knowing how far you've come, where you are and, most importantly, where you're going.

Some elements in the categories begin at elementary levels while other elements aren't included until later levels. We want it to be obvious that we're providing a structured plan advancing to elite levels of United States Swimming and collegiate participation. Not all Delta Aquatics swimmers have a passion for swimming leading to the highest peaks of the mountain, and that is well and good. But now they can have a desire for their daily practice by accepting the personal challenge of what it has to offer. By focusing on the long-term development of each of our swimmers, we can more clearly see what needs to be done in the immediate short-term plan. By including many Areas of Development, the coaches and swimmers must think about more than just swimming fast. The attention will be on all of the details leading up to the races. Creating confidence, increasing self-awareness and progressing to higher levels of development will be our measurements of success. Contributing to a better-rounded individual is the path. Swimming fast is the destination.

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