In this article we share a little more information about the county swim squad and how to join the programme. NOVA Centurion is the competitive arm of the Nottinghamshire County Swim Squad and has been successfully running for over 50 years with notable successes including Rebecca Adlington, Charlotte Henshaw, Ollie Hynd and Freya Colbert.
But not only have athletes come through the programme to compete at the highest level, we are also very proud to support all athletes to be the best they can be within a performance environment and especially to see them progress their swim careers later with university swimming and beyond.
The success of the county swim squad is always due to the collaboration of the athletes, base clubs and parents.
How to join | Trials
Trials are held approximately 3 times throughout the year with the focus on recruiting swimmers for the development squads in Mansfield and Nottingham. We will always advertise trials through social media and also notify Nottinghamshire base clubs of upcoming trials.
Swimmers will need to be aged between 9 and 11 and must already be training and swimming competitively with a Nottinghamshire base club. Ideally swimmers should have achieved or close to achieving county times. Swimmers who reside outside of the Nottinghamshire county are welcome to trial but it is compulsory that all swimmers must have membership with a Nottinghamshire base club and also compete at the annual Nottinghamshire ASA County Championships.
When swimmers are successful following on from a trial, they will train 2 or 3 sessions a week with the county swim squad depending on location, and the remaining sessions for the week with their base club. As they progress through the programme they will train 100% with the county swim squad.
In addition to trials for development swimmers, every year after County Championships and East Midlands Long Course Championships, the Director of Coaching will contact base clubs to invite swimmers for a trial based on their performances at these competitions.
Swimmers of all ages can apply at any time to join the county swim squad and will be invited for a trial. For joining criteria please go to our squad information page.
University Swimming
We have a strong connection with both Nottingham universities where scholarships are available. Please go to our university swimming page for more information with regards to swimming and studying at NOVA Centurion.
