Dear Northcote families,

Late last term we shared our proposed Winter Training Timetable for Terms 2 & 3. Following further discussions with Clublinks regarding pressure on indoor pool space, we unfortunately need to make a few changes to that timetable and wanted to explain the rationale behind those changes.

To save you reading the entire email, the key changes are summarised below.

BRONZE & BRONZE DEVELOPMENT SQUADS

* PM sessions will be in the outdoor pool by default, but will move inside subject to a risk based approach.
* Wednesday afternoon sessions will no longer run during winter due to a lack of alternate indoor space.
* A new Friday afternoon session has been added to maintain weekly training opportunities.
* AM sessions have been added to the timetable to provide certainty around indoor training. Families are strongly encouraged to consider these as part of their swimmer’s regular training routine.

SILVER SQUAD

* The core timetable remains largely unchanged
* Swimmers are encouraged to make greater use of morning training opportunities indoors during winter
* Some sessions may be modified or relocated depending on weather conditions

GOLD STATE SQUAD

* No significant timetable changes
* Existing morning, afternoon and gym structure retained
* Weather-related session modifications may apply where required

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While some of these changes are operationally necessary, we also believe morning training can play an important role in helping swimmers build consistency, confidence, resilience and stronger connections with teammates over time.

Importantly, these sessions are not intended only for “high performance” swimmers. Northcote remains committed to supporting swimmers with a wide range of goals — from fitness and friendship through to competition and personal best performance.

Another important part of the revised winter framework is the introduction of a more formalised weather and environmental assessment process for outdoor sessions.

The coaching team will assess conditions before each outdoor session using a child-safe risk framework that considers water temperature, air temperature, wind exposure, session type, and swimmer age and vulnerability.

Where conditions are unsuitable, sessions may be modified, moved indoors where possible, transitioned to dryland training, or very occasionally cancelled.

Families should continue checking TeamApp each Sunday evening for the confirmed timetable and any weather-related updates for the coming week.

We understand that these changes may require some adjustment for families and appreciate your ongoing flexibility and support as we continue working to provide a safe, sustainable and positive environment for all swimmers.

Finally, thank you to our coaches, volunteers and Clublinks staff for the significant amount of work that has gone into planning the revised winter program. A lot of effort has gone on behind the scenes.

Crispin
Club President