Welcome to the Homepage of the Swimming Waikato Regional Squads

The Swimming Waikato Regional Squads have been around for over a decade– starting as IM and age-based development squads in the late 2009/2010 (prior to that we had train with a champion stroke development days throughout the 2000s) moving to the more consistent format we have had over the last 5-6 years.

As we continue to move towards LA 2028 and Brisbane 2032 and everything in between the focus of our squads at all levels continues to evolve and adapt to best suit the needs of our wider group of swimmers to ensure we contribute positively to the needs and provide the tools at all levels to keep upping our performances in the pool.

All Squad opportunities are discussed in collaboration with the Swimming Waikato Snr Coaching Group, alongside our Regional Squad Lead, Alastair Johnson, and the administration team at Swimming Waikato.

Regional Squads Pathway

2025-2026 PERFORMANCE STANDARDS

2025-26 Performance Standards

SWIMMING WAIKATO SQUADS 2025-2026 SEASON

Purpose

Add value to the home club daily training environment
Encourage all athletes to keep on improving
Educate and reinforce to the athletes and coaches on appropriate training loads, skills, performance standards, test outcomes and performance behaviours
Coach development opportunities – especially for club junior coaches
Build a stronger Swimming Waikato culture and team identity – ‘The Waikato Way’
Aspirational squad pathway to encourage athletes to graduate to the Regional Performance Centre

Outcomes

More athletes competing at the AquaKnights Junior Festival, NAGS, NZ Champs, National SC Champs and at international events
Higher athlete retention rate – especially transitioning from:
- Juniors to NAGS
- NAGS to NZ Champs and the Regional Performance Centre
An integrated regional competition calendar which is complemented by the Squad Development Days and competitions

Squad Summary

Squad Pathway

Regional Squad Opportunities

REGIONAL PERFORMANCE CENTRE (RPC)

Delivering a comprehensive training program that immerses athletes in a daily, athlete-centered environment for swimming development.

RPC’s VISION – To create an athlete centric environment that drives swimmers to win medals at pinnacle international events.

RPC’s PURPOSE – Bringing together like-minded swimmers to achieve a common goal, through world-class coaching and accountability to the process of becoming professional/elite athletes and leaders within the community.

RPC’s VALUES

Accountability – Honest application to the standards you have set for yourself.
Perseverance – Learning through experience and never giving up in pursuit of your goal.
Support – Celebrating teammate’s successes.
Excellence – Aiming to perform at a world-class standard daily.

For more information on the RPC, following the link to the Program webpage

REGIONAL AGE SQUAD

Represent Swimming Waikato at the SW Short Course Champs in Hamilton on 06-07 September
4 day Battleschool (‘Work Camp’) in Hamilton in January 2026
Represent Swimming Waikato at the Swimming Waikato Summer Long Course Meet in February 2026
Athletes (in partnership with their coach) will need to complete end of cycle reports in October, January and April highlighting their recent progress, plus areas for improvement

Kit – to be issued to those swimmers who are touring with the squad. All swimmers will receive a Swimming Waikato training cap.

REGIONAL PATHWAY SQUAD

Domestic training opportunities.

4-6 Development Days spread over 10 months. These will be a mixture of training skills, race skills, education and the Duel in The Pool. Dates will be provided to those who accept their invitation.
Monthly challenges for you to complete during your club workouts. Swimming Waikato will then produce a ranking list so you can see how you compare with your regional peers.

All swimmers will receive a Swimming Waikato training cap.

REGIONAL XLR8 SQUAD

Qualifying for this squad is based off all listed XLR8 achievers club swimmers who achieve more than 1500 XLR8 points within the qualifying period of July 1st through to April 30th. The squad is capped at the highest achieving 40 athletes and the cut off of selected points scores is at the discretion of the coaching group.

The XLR8 Squad provides domestic opportunities as per below:

4-6 Development Days spread over 10 months. These will be a mixture of training skills, race skills, education and the Duel in The Pool. Dates will be provided to those who accept their invitation.
Monthly challenges for you to complete during your club workouts. Swimming Waikato will then produce a ranking list so you can see how you compare with your regional peers.

All swimmers will receive a Swimming Waikato training cap.

For more information on Swimming Waikato’s XLR8 Achievers Club please visit our website at: https://swimmingwaikato.co.nz/xlr8-achievers-club/

Operational Leadership

Coaching Leadership

The Swimming Waikato Regional Squads is a ‘Coach-Led’ program, with input, guidance and delivery supported by the Swimming Waikato Coaching Leadership Group. The program is led by the Regional Squad Lead, Alison Fitch in collaboration with the Managment of Swimming Waikato and the pre-mentioned Coaching Leadership Group.

We encourage all member coaches to get involved with the Regional Squads and support our regional based swimmers.

Contact for more details [email protected]

Alastair Johnson – Regional Squad Lead
Mat Woofe – Hamilton Aquatics
Graham Smith – St Paul’s Swimming Club
Zac Taylor – St Peter’s
Jeremy Tasker – St Paul’s Swimming Club