Programme Outline
After a successful expansion in the 2025/26 season, Somerset’s innovative County Development Programme will continue in 2026/27 with improvements identified following feedback from participants:
- We will be changing the programme to include 4 sessions in Term 1 to help with preparations for the County Champs and reduce Term 2 to 2 sessions to support swimmers in gaining RQT within a packed racing calendar.
- The programme will once again consist of 3 Squads but we will alter how Squad 2 is recruited to include the successful Expression of Interest methodology employed in Squad 3 in 2025/6.
In our continuing drive to innovate, we wish to continue investing in our swimming community to support inclusion, improve participation and ultimately increase the enjoyment of and success in our sport.
Coach Development – Launching May
To support these swimmers we will contract:
- 3 CDP Head Coaches;
- 3 CDP Deputy Head Coaches; and
- 3 CDP Skills Coaches.
To learn more about these roles and to apply please follow this link: Coach Recruitment 2026/27
Coaches and Young Volunteers throughout Somerset will also be invited to attend a Continuing Professional Development session entitled ‘Delivering Effective Pre-Pool’ (27th September 8.00am with guest Strength and Conditioning specialists). As we have done for the past 2 years, Somerset club coaches will also be invited to attend as a Coach Observer throughout the programme.
Level 1 Assistant Coach Course – Launching June
In addition, we will once again be running our Level 1 Assistant Coach Course for Young Volunteers in Terms 1 and 2 and will be offering graduates from this programme the opportunity to apply for a paid CDP Skills Coach role in Term 3.
The application process for this course will be launched shortly.
Athlete Recruitment – Launching June
Squad 1 – Swim England County Development ‘Pathway’
We will offer 48 spaces to swimmers aged 12 by 31st December 2026.
As before, these swimmers will be selected using the SE criteria and in this order of priority:
- 200IM LC times taken from the SE Results and Rankings database; then
- 200IM SC times taken from the SE Results and Rankings database; then and if necessary
- 100IM times taken from the SE Results and Rankings database.
To reflect Relative Age, two selection bands will be implemented, with the aim of selecting equally between the two where possible. Selected swimmers will be sent an invitation via their home coaches with a request to accept their space by midnight on the 30th June (TBC) to allow further invitations to be issued, should spaces become available.
In addition we will hold 6 ‘wild cards’ to allow Club Coach recommendations for swimmers where their rankings database times do not reflect ability. County Club Coaches are invited to send recommendations to somersetcdp@gmail.com by midnight on the 30th June (TBC). The CDP Squad 1 Head Coach will then discuss these recommendations with the Club Coaches to establish if these swimmers should displace a swimmer higher in the rankings database.
Squads 2 and 3
To continue in our drive to address the ‘missed middle’ swimmers identified in Swim England’s Heart of Aquatics Listening Exercise – ie those swimmers who have just missed out on Regional and National SE Pathways but who are committed to their swimming goals – we will also be offering another 46 spaces to older swimmers in the county not currently on any SE Pathway programme:
Squad 2: This squad will recruit swimmers using a hybrid methodology.
- Squad 2 will support 12 swimmers aged 13 by 31.12.26. These swimmers will be selected using 200IM times from the SE Results and Rankings database as the main selection criteria. Selected swimmers will be sent an invitation via their home coaches with a request to accept their space by midnight on the 30th June (TBC) to allow further invitations to be issued, should spaces become available.
- In addition a further 12 places will be available for swimmers aged 14 by 31.12.26. Swimmers interested in joining this squad are invited to complete a short Expression of Interest Form (link launching early June) by midnight on the 30th June (TBC). Please note: Completing an Expression of Interest form does NOT guarantee a space in the squad. The Squad 2 Head Coach will use responses along with data from the SE Results and Rankings database to select swimmers by midnight on the 12th July (TBC) whereupon official invitations will be issued with a request to complete all paperwork by midnight on the 26th July (TBC).
Squad 3: This squad will support a further 22 swimmers aged 15 and above by 31.12.26. Swimmers interested in joining this squad are invited to complete this short Expression of Interest Form by midnight on the 30th June (TBC). Please note: Completing an Expression of Interest form does NOT guarantee a space in the squad. The Squad 3 Head Coach will use responses along with data from the SE Results and Rankings database to select swimmers by midnight on the 12th July (TBC) whereupon official invitations will be issued with a request to complete all paperwork by midnight on the 26th July (TBC).
Programme Content
As in 2026/27 our programme aims to increase the opportunity for athletes to consistently engage in activities that can lead to improved competitive performance. We are looking to provide support to athletes to supplement their home training provision, with a view to increasing representation at both a county and a regional level.
The programme also aspires to provide the opportunity for collaborative working of coaches and volunteers from across the county; training content is shared with coaches prior to the sessions and athlete feedback is gathered following each session.
Athletes should expect to be exposed to various training concepts that encourage the reinforcement of the foundational skills that are key to future progress (i.e. streamlining, efficient technique, underwater kick consistency).
2026/7 Dates
All dates are Sundays. The programme is usually delivered 9.00am – 11.15am with pre-pool at 9.15am, pool time from 9.30am – 11.00am and plenary from 11.00am – 11.15am.
Term 1
- September 27th 2026 – including an extended pre-pool with Strength and Conditioning Specialists (from 9.00am)
- October 11th 2026
- November 15th 2026
- December 6th 2026 – followed by a free added value talk (see below)
Term 2
- January 10th 2027 – Long Course Format and followed by a free added value talk (see below)
- February 28th 2027
Term 3
- May 23rd 2027 – followed by a free added value talk (see below)
- June 6th 2027
- July 4th 2027
Added Value Sessions
The ‘Added Value’ sessions are hosted free of charge to participants and usually take place immediately after the swim session.
The 2025/26 season included the following:
An extended Pre-Pool with specialist Strength and Conditioning Coaches Luke Turley and Alice Gouldby.
“Reflection and Building Resiliance” sessions for parents and then swimmers with The Thrive Academy Sport Psychologists, Elliot Newell and Pete Barry
“Nutrition for Race Day” with Dan Alcock, Millfield’s Youth Development Nutritionist
“The Underwater Edge – using Video Analysis to Improve Technique” – an additional session held at Taunton Prep School
“Everyone’s Journey Looks Different” with Olympian Cam Kurle
“An Introduction to the Menstrual Cycle and Competitive Swimming” with Millfield’s Alice Gouldby
Venue
Millfield Senior School Pool.
Costs
The cost of the programme has been match funded by Somerset ASA and will be offered to participants at a cost of £108 for the 9 session programme. Payment plans will be available upon request.
Kit List
Swimmers must bring the following items to each session:
- CDP Hat (to be distributed at your first session)
- Goggles
- Towel
- Water bottle
- Fins
- Kickboard
- Pullbuoy
- Snorkel
- Shorts and top for pre-pool – all squads
- Trainers for pre-pool – squad 1
Code of Conduct
All athletes, staff and volunteers are expected to abide by the Code of Conduct.