Our swimmers train with the Swim Academy Network and the Melbourne Sports Centres squad programs, which provide all squad training for Western Melbourne Propulsion Swim Club. For detailed information regarding swim programs, including squad times, locations and costs, visit the Swim Academy Network or Melbourne Sport Centres.
Regardless of whether you are hoping to make an international team or are a junior swimmer joining a squad for the first time, our squad framework ensures each swimmer's potential is maximised in a positive and inclusive environment.
Our squads train at:
We utilise the gym facilities provided at Melbourne University, Brimbank and MSAC.
An introductory squad where emphasis is placed on reinforcing great technique whilst building speed, endurance and racing skills.
Types of competition that can be entered: Encouragement Meets, Club Championships, District Championships, Nipper Open water events.
After a year: Swimmers in the transition squad will be confident racing in any school or local competitions and will be encouraged to compete (not compulsory).
We will prepare these swimmers for: School competitions.
Requirements:
- Successfully completed a learn-to-swim program
- Up to 15 years of age
- Arrive to training 10 minutes before the scheduled start of training
Minimum number of sessions: 1
Recommended number of sessions: 2 (under 10); 3 (over 10)
Aimed at those swimmers who are interested in pursuing competitive swimming. In this squad a strong emphasis is still placed on developing efficient mechanics across all 4 strokes.
Types of competition that can be entered: Encouragement Meets, Club Championships, District Championships, Nipper Open water events, All Junior Championships, State Qualifying meets and State Championships.
After a year:
- Swimmers in the Junior Development Squad would be targeting specific competitions
- Swimmers will understand what is required to be a competitive swimmer
- Swimmer is confident in swimming a 200IM at a major competition
We will prepare these swimmers for:
- School competitions
- All Junior and Metro Championships
- District Championships
- State Championships (if eligible)
Requirements:
- Successfully completed our transition squad program
- Be a WMP Club Member
- Swim targeted meets and events as determined by your coach
- Attend squad social events
- Arrive to training 15 minutes before the scheduled start of training
Minimum number of sessions: 3
Recommended number of sessions: 3 (under 10); 4 (over 12)
For swimmers who have qualified for events at a Victorian State Championship event. This squad continues to place an emphasis on building swimmer’s aerobic capacity while also improving the technical aspects of each individual's strokes.
Types of competition that can be entered: Club Championships, District Championships, Open water events, All Junior Championships, State Qualifying meets and State Championships
After two years:
- Swimmers understand what is required to swim at a national level
- Swimmers will understand what is required to be a competitive swimmer
- Swimmers are able and willing to swim a 400IM and 800m Freestyle
We will prepare these swimmers for:
- School competitions
- All Junior and Metro Championships
- District Championships
- State Championships (if eligible)
Requirements:
- Successfully completed a learn-to-swim program
- Be a WMP Club Member
- Swim targeted events as determined by your coach
- Attend squad social events
- Attend strength and conditioning sessions as required
- Arrive to training 20 minutes before the scheduled start of training
Minimum number of sessions: 5
Recommended number of sessions: 6
For swimmers who have qualified for events at the Australian Age Championships (or within a second per 100m). In this squad, swimmers will learn what it takes to become a high performance athlete. Swimmers are expected to attend all sessions and improve flexibility and strength in their own time in addition to prescribed sessions.
Types of competition that can be entered: Club Championships, District Championships, Open water events, State Qualifying meets, State Championships and National Championships
After two years:
- Swimmers understand what is required to swim at a national level
- Swimmers are able and willing to swim any event assigned by a coach
- Swimmers are striving to make a National final
Target events:
- Australian Age Championships
- Victorian Championships
Requirements:
- Mentor and support younger swimmers
- Be a WMP Club Member
- Swim targeted events as determined by your coach
- Attend squad social events
- Attend strength and conditioning sessions as required
- Plan vacations with target meets in mind
- Arrive to training 30 minutes before the scheduled start of training (when pool opening times allow)
Minimum number of sessions: 7
Recommended number of sessions: 8
Our open national and distance squad is by selection only. In this squad swimmers are aiming to make selection on state and Australian teams. Swimmers in this squad are expected to use all the support services available to them. Swimmers understand that some sacrifices need to be made to swim at the highest level and are willing to do so. Swimmers in this squad are given individual training plans to meet the specific requirements of their goal meets and events.
Types of competition that can be entered: Club Championships, District Championships, Open water events, State Qualifying meets, State Championships and National Championships
After two years:
- Swimmers are striving to make international teams
- Swimmers are able and willing to swim any event assigned by a coach
Target events:
- Australian Championships
- Australian Selection Trials
Requirements:
- Mentor and support younger swimmers
- Be a WMP Club Member
- Swim targeted events as determined by your coach
- Attend squad social events
- Attend strength and conditioning sessions as required
- Plan vacations with target meets in mind
- Arrive to training 30 minutes before the scheduled start of training (when pool opening times allow)
Minimum number of sessions: 7
Recommended number of sessions: 8
Although we are a performance based squad program, we also offer recreational swimmer pathways for those swimmers wanting to improve fitness and conditioning rather than compete.
We pride ourselves on our low swimmer to coach ratio, which has enabled us to consistently achieve results comparable to larger squad programs.
We endeavour to have at least one coach at all targeted swim meets. The assigned coach will assist with warm-up, swim down and race review.
We believe swimming is a team sport and that training camps give swimmers the opportunity to not only develop as athletes but also bond as teammates.
We are lucky enough to have a number of expert external supports to assist our squad program. This includes physios, strength and conditioning coaches and sport scientists.
We endeavour to develop our swimmers not just as athletes but as future leaders in the club and wider community. We are very proud of our former athletes who have gone on to become committee members, teachers, coaches and even Swimming Victoria Board members.
All our coaches and teachers take the ‘more than a swimmer’ approach to all squad members. We understand the need for flexibility in our squad program to meet the individual athlete’s mental, social and academic needs.
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Please note, our coaching team will contact your current program prior to any trials or assessments taking place.
We recommend discussing any potential program changes with your own coach prior to making your enquiry.
