The Murray Rose Aquatic & Fitness Centre Squad Programme provides a structured pathway for swimmers of all ages and abilities to continue their swimming journey beyond Learn to Swim.
Whether your goal is to improve technique, build fitness, compete at school carnivals, qualify for state or national championships or simply enjoy swimming as a lifelong activity, our experienced coaching team will help you reach your full potential.
Competitive Pathway – Must be CASC members
The Competitive Pathway is designed for swimmers who are committed to developing their racing performance and achieving their full potential in competitive swimming. Swimmers progress through a structured pathway that develops technical proficiency, race skills, physical conditioning and competition experience, from their first club races through to State and National competition.
All swimmers in the Competitive Pathway are required to be full members of Cranbrook Aquatic Swimming Club (CASC) and are expected to compete regularly at club, MetSEA, Swimming NSW and Swimming Australia competitions appropriate to their squad level. Training attendance, commitment and competition participation are key components of progression through the programme.
| Squad | Entry Criteria | Goal |
| Red Squad | 12 & Under CASC Members | Develop all four competitive strokes with an introduction to racing for CASC |
| Target Squad | 13 & Under MetSEA Qualifiers | Build endurance and technique while preparing for Area, Metropolitan and Youth competitions |
| Junior Emerging Squad | 12 & Under State Qualifiers | Refine race skills and qualify for Metropolitan, State competitions |
| Senior Emerging Squad | 13-18 Years State Qualifiers | Refine race skills and qualify for Metropolitan, State competitions |
| Performance Squad | 13 -18 Years National Age Qualifiers | Maximise performance and compete successfully at State and National level |
| Elite Squad | 16 & Over top 10 Nationals or Open National Qualifiers | Train in a high-performance environment with a focus on National and International competition |
Fitness Pathway
Our Fitness Pathway is designed for swimmers who want to continue developing their swimming skills in a supportive, non-high-performance environment. Whether your goal is improving technique, building fitness, training for water polo, ocean swims or simply enjoying swimming as a lifelong activity, our coaches will help you achieve your personal goals.
| Squad | Entry Criteria | Goal |
| White Squad | 12 & Under | Continue developing stroke technique, endurance and confidence while swimming for fitness and enjoyment |
| Blue Squad | 13 – 18 years | Improve swimming fitness, refine technique across all four strokes and develop lifelong swimming skills in a supportive environment |
| Masters Squad | 18 & Over | Build fitness, improve technique, train for personal goals, triathlons or ocean swims |
How To Join Our Squad Programme
Joining the Cranbrook Squad Programme is simple. Follow the steps below to get started.
1. Determine Your Swim Ability
Review the squad pathway and entry criteria below to identify the squad that best matches the swimmer’s current ability and goals.
2. Book a Swim Assessment
Email casc@cranbrook.nsw.edu.au to arrange a squad assessment.
Assessment Times
- Monday to Thursday
- 3.30 pm – 4.30 pm
- Approximately 10 minutes
Our coaching team will assess the swimmer’s technique, ability and recommend the most suitable squad.
3. Create a Home Portal Account
Create a Home Portal account using the registration links below.
Families only need one account, allowing you to manage multiple swimmers under the same profile. Once your account has been created, register for the squad recommended during your assessment.
4. Start Swimming
Once your registration has been reviewed and approved by our coaching team, you’re ready to attend sessions.
Our squad timetables can be found at the bottom of this page.
Important Information
- All new swimmers are required to complete a squad assessment before registering.
- Registrations submitted before an assessment may be transferred to the appropriate squad if the selected squad is not suitable.
- Refunds or credits will not be provided for registrations made into an incorrect squad prior to completing a squad assessment.
- All swimmers registered to Cranbrook Competitive Pathway squad programmes must be members of Cranbrook Aquatic Swim Club (CASC). Please register via Swim Central.
Competitive Pathway
Red Squad
12 Years and Under
Minimum 2 Sessions per week | Recommended 3 Sessions per week
Red Squad is the entry point into Cranbrook’s Competitive Pathway and is designed for swimmers transitioning from Learn to Swim into squad training. Swimmers develop confidence in a squad environment while refining all four competitive strokes, learning training etiquette and being introduced to club racing through Cranbrook Aquatic Swimming Club (CASC).
Click Here for Full Criteria | Click Here to Book Assessment | Click Here to Join
Target Squad
13 Years and Under
Minimum 2 Sessions per week | Recommended 4 Sessions per week
Target Squad is designed for swimmers who are regularly competing at a METSEA level and striving towards Youth Metropolitan and State Championship qualification. Training places greater emphasis on stroke efficiency, aerobic development, race skills and competition preparation while building the commitment required for higher performance swimming.
Click Here for Full Criteria | Click Here to Book Assessment | Click Here to Join
Junior Emerging Squad
13 Years and Under
9-11 Years Minimum 3 Sessions per week | 12-13 Years Minimum 4 Sessions per week | Recommended 5 Sessions per week
Junior Emerging is for swimmers who have achieved Youth State qualifying standards and are committed to progressing through the Swimming NSW pathway. Training focuses on refining race skills, improving efficiency and developing the physical and technical qualities required to perform consistently at Metropolitan and State competitions.
Click Here for Full Criteria | Click Here to Book Assessment | Click Here to Join
Senior Emerging Squad
13–18 Years
13-14 Years Minimum 4 Sessions per week | 15-17 Years Minimum 5 Sessions per week | Recommended 6 Sessions per week
Senior Emerging caters for swimmers who have achieved Senior State qualifying standards and are working towards National Age qualification. It is also suitable for Cranbrook School students competing at a state representative level in aquatic sports such as water polo, triathlon and surf lifesaving who wish to further develop their swimming performance. Swimmers undertake a more demanding training programme that develops endurance, race strategy, technical excellence and the training habits required for long-term success in both competitive swimming and other aquatic sports.
Click Here for Full Criteria | Click Here to Book Assessment | Click Here to Join
Performance Squad
13-18 Years
Minimum 6 Sessions per week | Recommended 7 Sessions per week
Performance Squad is designed for National Age qualifiers who are committed to maximising their potential. Swimmers follow an advanced training programme focusing on race performance, technical refinement, strength, conditioning and competition planning with the goal of achieving National finals and Top 10 performances.
Click Here for Full Criteria | Click Here to Book Assessment | Click Here to Join
Elite Squad
16 Years and Over
Minimum 7 Sessions per week | Recommended 8 Sessions per week
Elite Squad provides a high-performance training environment for swimmers competing at Australian Age and Australian Open Championships. The programme is designed for athletes pursuing National medals, NSW and Australian team selection, and long-term success at the highest levels of the sport.
Click Here for Full Criteria | Click Here to Book Assessment | Click Here to Join
Fitness Pathway
White Squad
12 Years and Under
White Squad is designed for 12 and under school-aged swimmers who have completed Learn to Swim pathway and want to continue swimming in a fun, supportive and fitness-focused environment. Swimmers continue to develop confidence, refine all four competitive strokes and build endurance while enjoying the lifelong benefits of swimming, without the commitment of regular competition.
Click Here for Full Criteria | Click Here to Book Assessment | Click Here to Join
Blue Squad
13–18 Years
Blue Squad is designed for teenagers who want to continue improving their swimming fitness and technique in a non-competitive environment. The programme develops endurance, stroke efficiency and overall fitness while providing a flexible pathway for swimmers who enjoy swimming for health, recreation or cross-training for other sports.
Click Here for Full Criteria | Click Here to Book Assessment | Click Here to Join
Masters Squad
18 Years and Over
Masters Squad is an adult fitness programme suitable for swimmers of all abilities who have the ability to swim 1.5 – 3km in a session and want to improve their swimming technique, fitness and endurance. Whether your goal is general health and wellbeing, training for triathlons or ocean swims, returning to swimming after a break or competing in Masters events, our experienced coaches will help you achieve your personal goals.
Squad Timetables
July School Holiday Timetables (6 July – 19 July)
- Mini – Click Here
- Development – Click Here
- Target – Click Here
- Emerging Junior – Click Here
- Emerging Senior – Click Here
- Gold – Click Here
- Performance – Click Here
- Elite – Click Here
- Masters – Click Here
Winter Term 3 Timetables (w/c 20 July – 30August)
Competitive
- Red – Click Here
- Target – Click Here
- Junior Emerging – Click Here
- Senior Emerging – Click Here
- Performance – Click Here
- Elite – Click Here
Fitness
- White – Click Here
- Blue – Click Here
- Masters – Click Here
