SQUAD INFO & CRITERIA
Competitive Swimming Squads in Nottingham
Joining Criteria
Are you a member of a Nottinghamshire swim club affiliated with Nottinghamshire ASA? If so, we invite you to be part of our prestigious NOVA Centurion Swim Squad, open to swimmers from both Nottinghamshire and the surrounding counties.
Becoming a member of our squad means joining a community dedicated to excellence in swimming. Our comprehensive guidelines ensure that every swimmer, including para-swimmers in their respective categories, receives the support and opportunities needed to thrive.
Experience the difference with NOVA Centurion and take the next step in your swimming journey today.
Nottingham’s Performance Squad
In the Nottingham’s Performance Squad, we are dedicated to training athletes for peak performance. Our comprehensive training sessions emphasize aerobic and anaerobic utilization, power development, and the identification and development of primary strokes and events. We also focus on equipping our athletes with the skills to win on both the domestic and international stage.
SQUAD OBJECTIVES
To be selected for Junior & Senior International Teams.
ENTRY CRITERIA
- Qualify for the Aquatics GB Trials (April)
- Aquatics GB Summer Championships (July), or the equivalent competitions held by the respective nation.
Nottingham’s National Squad
The Nottingham’s National Squad is committed to developing athletes to achieve their highest potential. This stage of our program training highlights the importance of aerobic development and focuses on identifying and refining primary strokes and in conjunction with medley events. Additionally, we place a strong emphasis on improving technique to ensure efficiency and effectiveness in the water. We also prepare our athletes with the strategies and skills necessary to excel in domestic competitions.
SQUAD OBJECTIVES
To qualify for the British Championships & be selected for Junior International teams.
ENTRY CRITERIA
Qualify for English Nations summer meet in (July)
Nottingham’s & National Development Squads
The Nottingham & Mansfield’s National Development Squad is dedicated to nurturing the next generation of elite swimmers. This stage of our program focuses on developing aerobic capacity, speed, and kicking skills, while enhancing overall aquatic skills. We instil a love for racing and emphasize the importance of working effectively with a diverse range of people. Through comprehensive training, we aim to build a strong foundation for future success in competitive swimming.
SQUAD OBJECTIVES
To qualify for the British Summer Nationals & Medal at the Regional Long Course Championships.
ENTRY CRITERIA
To qualify for a Regional Long Course Championships Final, ideally in an endurance event (i.e., 400m and above)
Nottingham & Mansfield’s Regional Squad
Nottingham’s Regional Squad is dedicated to nurturing the potential of aspiring swimmers. Our Regional Squad program emphasizes the importance of perfecting technique, along with developing aerobic capacity, speed, and kicking skills. We also focus on enhancing aquatic skills and instilling a love for training. An integral part of our approach is preparing athletes for a seamless transition into our full-time program, where they can continue to advance and achieve their highest potential.
SQUAD OBJECTIVES
To Medal at the Regional Long Course Championships.
ENTRY CRITERIA
To qualify for the Regional Long Course Championships ideally in an Endurance Event (i.e., 400 & above event).
Nottingham & Mansfield’s Regional Development Squads
Nottingham & Mansfield’s Regional Development Squad serves as an introduction to our elite pathway, guiding swimmers as they advance within our program. Our training emphasizes the refinement of technique. We are dedicated to showing swimmers how to progress within our system while continuing to build on their foundations, in conjunction with our supporting clubs. An essential part of our strategy is to prepare athletes for a smooth transition into our full-time program, where they can continue to progress and reach their highest potential.
SQUAD OBJECTIVES
To experience an elite environment & to be working towards qualifying for the Regional Long Course Championships.
ENTRY CRITERIA
To be ranked in the top 10 in Nottingham.
Mansfield’s Regional Development Squad
Mansfield’s Regional Development Squad serves as an introduction to our elite pathway, guiding swimmers as they advance within our program. Our training emphasizes the refinement of technique. We are dedicated to showing swimmers how to progress within our system while continuing to build on their foundations, in conjunction with our supporting clubs. An essential part of our strategy is to prepare athletes for a smooth transition into our full-time program, where they can continue to progress and reach their highest potential.
SQUAD OBJECTIVES
To experience an elite environment & to be working towards qualifying for a Regional Long Course Championships.
ENTRY CRITERIA
To Be Ranked in the top 10 in Nottinghamshire.
“
I have had so many great experiences since joining NOVA at the age of 9 from Kimberly Swimming Club. Starting from the Regional Development Squad and progressing all the way to the Performance Squad, I have always felt supported by my coaches and teammates.NOVA’s comprehensive pathway has been instrumental in my development, providing me with the skills and opportunities to compete internationally. The consistent support and structured progression through NOVA’s program have shaped me into the athlete and person I am today. I owe my success to the incredible journey I’ve had with NOVA.
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Livia Kingsland – Junior International & NCAA Scholar
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I have had so many great experiences since joining NOVA at the age of 9 from Kimberly Swimming Club. Starting from the Regional Development Squad and progressing all the way to the Performance Squad, I have always felt supported by my coaches and teammates.
NOVA’s comprehensive pathway has been instrumental in my development, providing me with the skills and opportunities to compete internationally. The consistent support and structured progression through NOVA’s program have shaped me into the athlete and person I am today. I owe my success to the incredible journey I’ve had with NOVA.
”
Livia Kingsland – Junior International & NCAA Scholar
Join us!
To start your performance swimming journey with NOVA Centurion.
SUPPORTING PARTNERS
TESTIMONIALS
"Training at Nova Centurion completely opened my eyes to how exceptional the sprint program is. With the incredible support services from my coach, I’ve been able to get faster than I ever imagined.”
"Training at Nova Centurion has been a hugely positive experience, giving me the speed and belief to compete confidently on the international stage."
Balancing Medicine with performance swimming at an international level is challenging, but the NOVA Scholarship has made it possible. The financial support, world-class facilities, and expert coaching have been invaluable in helping me train and perform at my best. I’m truly grateful for the opportunities, support, and friendships I’ve gained through the programme.
I have a great experience at NOVA, the training was always challenging but I loved doing it with my friends by my side! There aren't many programmes in the country with the level of performance coaching and quality distance training that NOVA has. I don't think I would be the person I am today without the relationships I have at NOVA with my team mates and staff, so a big thank you always.
I have had so many great experiences since joining NOVA at the age of 9, always having felt supported by my coaches and team mates from Regional Development through to the Performance Squad. NOVA's great programme has given me the opportunity to compete internationally, both in the pool and open water. It has also given me the opportunity to receive a scholarship to train and study in the US for 4 years and I would not be the athlete or person that I am today with NOVA's support.
NOVA and the University of Nottingham provided me with the environment to thrive as an athlete. The programme and support enabled me to achieve things I never dreamt of achieving.
I started swimming in a small club in Staffordshire. The opportunity to train under such a great coaching team and the emphasis on developing and the emphasis on developing homegrown talent drew me to NOVA. Highlights of my career include competing at the Beijing 2008 Olympics. I think the impact NOVA Centurion and the University of Nottingham had on me is to always do things with integrity, work hard, be honest with yourself, show up every day and believe you will be rewarded.
Being a member of NOVA from age 12 to 29 shaped my swimming career, guiding me to two Paralympic medals, and influenced my life beyond the pool. The lessons learned, discipline instilled, experiences had, and connections forged have been key in building my character and impacting my career.
It's an incredible journey with so many highs and lows! I started swimming with NOVA Centurion from Sutton-in-Ashfield when I was 10 years old and was a member of the squad until I retired at 25. I am proud to have been part of the Nottinghamshire County Swim Squad and to have been part of a legacy that has produced so many world class swimmers.
I was fortunate to be selected for the NOVA Centurion program at just 10 years old, starting out at Radford Swimming Club. I remained with NOVA throughout my entire swimming career. The decision to stay with NOVA was easy, given the exceptional training. The discipline, commitment, and resilience I developed during my time with NOVA was pivotal in preparing me for my future career in the Royal Air Force.
See all our international swimmers and international medallists here.
