Below is a guideline of our current group structure and requirements to move up and be prepared for each group. Swimmers are evaluated throughout the season and will be moved when the coaching staff believes they are ready, Group promotions happen twice a year - once after short course championships (April 1) and once after long course championships (August 1).

Our goal is to place every swimmer into the training environment where they will develop most successfully.

While age and performance provide general guidelines, placement is determined based on the coaching staff's evaluation of each athlete's physical development, technical skills, maturity, attendance, work ethic, and readiness for the demands of the next group.

The coaching staff has full discretion regarding group placements and promotions. Athletes may be moved up a group outside of the listed promotion dates if the coaches believe they are ready, and it benefits the swimmer and the group. Athletes may be moved up without meeting all of the listed group requirements.

Platinum - Compete with Purpose

Platinum is our highest training group, designed for athletes pursuing championship-level performance through intentional training, disciplined preparation, and greater ownership of their swimming.

Athletes in Platinum will learn to prepare mentally and physically for performance, reflect on the good and bad of every race, and understand how their everyday training contributes to their long-term goals.

Platinum group typical athletes:

• Ages 14-18 (younger athletes may be placed based on readiness)
• Athletes pursuing championship-level competition and demonstrating readiness for the team's highest training expectations
• Athletes competing at or approaching Arizona Swimming championship qualifying standards
• Athletes who consistently demonstrate dedication, coachability, maturity, and excellent practice habits

Platinum Expectations:

• Maintain the consistent training necessary to pursue individual and championship-level goals
• Attend swim meets regularly, when available
• Compete at championship meets for which they qualify
• Come to practice ready to work and train with intention every day
• Take ownership of individual goals, best times, equipment, and communication with coaches
• Reflect on performances and identify both successes and areas for improvement
• Understand sports nutrition and proper fueling habits
• Demonstrate leadership, accountability, sportsmanship, and a commitment to getting 1% better every practice

Primary Competitive Goals:

• Qualify for the Arizona Swimming Senior State Championships and beyond
• Qualify for AIA High School State Championships, when applicable
• Prepare athletes for higher-level and collegiate swimming opportunities
• Establish a standard of excellence in and out of the pool

Gold - Train to Compete

Gold is our competitive development group, designed for athletes ready to take the next step in their training and develop the skills, habits, and mindset needed for championship-level competition.

Athletes in Gold will learn to train with purpose, give true race-level effort when called upon, and understand how the details of everyday practice translate into faster racing.

Gold group typical athletes:

• Ages 11-14 (younger or older athletes may be placed based on readiness)
• Athletes competing at or approaching Arizona Swimming Regional qualifying standards
• Athletes ready for increased training intensity and yardage
• Athletes who demonstrate growing ownership, accountability, and strong practice habits

Gold Expectations:

• Demonstrate a consistent commitment to training and competition
• Attend swim meets regularly, when available
• Understand the purpose behind different sets and training focuses
• Give 100% effort when race-level speed is expected
• Take responsibility for required gear, best times, and individual goals
• Begin communicating directly with coaches about day-to-day training
• Maintain technical focus throughout increasingly challenging practices

Primary Competitive Goal:

• Qualify for the Arizona Swimming Age Group State Championships

Ready for the next step:

• Demonstrate an understanding of individual goals and how everyday training contributes to them
• Perform consistently well on test sets and demonstrate readiness for increased training demands
• Demonstrate technical proficiency across all four strokes, starts, turns, and underwaters
• Show strong attendance, coachability, maturity, and practice habits
• Take increasing ownership of training and competitive performance
• Coach recommendation

Silver - Learn to Train

Silver is our developmental training group, designed for athletes with growing swim team experience who are ready to take the next step in their competitive swimming journey.

Athletes in Silver will build technique, endurance, and racing skills while learning to complete structured practices using intervals and send-offs.

Silver group typical athletes:

• Ages 9-12 (younger or older athletes may be placed based on readiness)
• Athletes with competition-legal technique in all four strokes
• Athletes ready to begin more structured swim training
• Athletes who consistently demonstrate coachability and strong practice habits

Silver Expectations:

• Attend practices consistently to support continued development
• Attend at least one swim meet every two months, when available
• Develop the 100 and 200 IM and become comfortable racing all four strokes
• Learn to follow intervals, send-offs, and structured sets independently
• Use training equipment and speed-specific drills with purpose
• Maintain a positive attitude and coachable mindset

Primary Competitive Goal:

• Qualify for the Arizona Swimming Regional Championships

Ready for the next step:

• Consistently apply coaching feedback
• Demonstrate legal and efficient technique in all four strokes
• Follow practice instructions, intervals, and send-offs independently
• Demonstrate improving aerobic endurance and readiness for increased training demands
• Come prepared for practice and take responsibility for required gear
• Participate regularly in swim meets
• Maintain strong attendance and practice habits
• Coach recommendation

Copper - Learn to Practice

Copper is our introductory competitive training group, designed for athletes beginning their swim team journey and younger swimmers developing the fundamentals of competitive swimming.

Athletes in Copper will develop legal technique in all four strokes while learning starts, turns, streamlines, and the basics of how to participate successfully in a swim practice.

Copper group typical athletes:

• Ages 7-10 (younger or older athletes may be placed based on readiness)
• Athletes new to competitive swimming
• Athletes who have graduated from the Pups Program

Copper Expectations:

• Attend practices consistently and develop good practice habits
• Learn basic practice skills including pace clocks, lane etiquette, and leaving appropriate space between swimmers
• Streamline off every wall and use appropriate turns during practice
• Show an eagerness to learn, improve, and apply coaching feedback
• Swim meets are optional, but all Copper swimmers are strongly encouraged to experience competition

Ready for the next step:

• Demonstrate legal technique in all four competitive strokes
• Demonstrate proficient starts, turns, and underwater streamlines
• Complete a legal 100 IM
• Understand basic sets, intervals, and use of the pace clock
• Follow practice instructions independently
• Maintain a positive attitude, strong attendance, and a coachable mindset
• Coach recommendation

Pups - Learn the Sport

Pups is our pre-team developmental program designed for swimmers who need additional preparation before joining the competitive Stingrays team.

Swimmers build upon their freestyle and backstroke fundamentals while continuing to develop breaststroke, butterfly, coachability, and the practice habits needed to succeed on a swim team.

Pups group typical athletes:

• Swimmers who have progressed through group swim lessons
• Younger swimmers who are not quite ready for the competitive team
• Older swimmers who need additional stroke development or focused instruction before entering an age-appropriate Stingrays group

Pups Expectations:

• Attend at least two practices per week (exceptions may be made on a case-by-case basis)
• Come ready to learn with a positive attitude
• Listen to coaches and follow directions
• Demonstrate a willingness to try new skills and apply feedback
• Have fun while building confidence and independence in the water

Ready for the competitive team:

• Demonstrate strong freestyle and backstroke fundamentals
• Demonstrate developing breaststroke and butterfly skills
• Demonstrate streamlined push-offs
• Follow practice instructions independently
• Demonstrate coachability and readiness for a team environment
• Coach recommendation
• Graduating from Pups does not automatically mean placement in Copper. Swimmers will be placed into the group most appropriate for their age, ability, and developmental readiness.