Tasman Magic
The Tasman Magic Academy (TMA) is a coaching programme for competitive swimmers. The programme caters to young swimmers graduating from a swim school to swimmers competing at a national level.
Swimmers coming through the SwimMagic Programme will have completed the Gold level before progressing to TMA.
Pathway to Competitive Swimming
The Tasman Magic Academy is the entry point for young swimmers graduating from SwimMagic’s Gold squad to competitive swimming.
The programme provides a comprehensive coaching pathway from “Learn to Swim” right through to National and International levels. Swimmers start in the Juniors Squad and progress at their own pace through Intermediate Squad, then Age Group Squad, and finally, our National Squad.
Swimmers are required to join a local swim club and become affiliated to Swimming NZ (SNZ) and Swimming Nelson Marlborough (SNM). Affiliated swimmers can then swim in “age/ability appropriate” swim meets. Many of the TMA swimmers are members of the Tasman Swim Club, all information and membership application can be found on their website – Tasman Swim Club.
Swimmers are coached by Head Coach Shaun Foley.
Junior
The purpose of the Junior Squad is to introduce younger swimmers to structured swim training in a supportive and encouraging environment. We focus on developing fundamental swimming techniques, including strokes, starts, and turns. Our goal is to build confidence and foster enthusiasm for competitive swimming while preparing swimmers to advance to more advanced squads, such as the Intermediate squads, as they progress.
Swimmers are required to attend 2 – 3 of the 4 available sessions per week.
Required Gear: long fins, pull buoy, kickboard, drink bottle, and mesh bag. These items can be ordered through the onsite shop.
Intermediate
At the Intermediate level, swimmers will refine the skills they learned in the Junior squad and gain an understanding of simple training sets from the whiteboard. They will learn to manage themselves using the pace clock and control the intensity of their work by monitoring their heart rate. This stage prepares swimmers to transition to higher competitive levels, such as the National Squad, while fostering discipline and commitment through consistent training sessions.
Additionally, swimmers will focus on key performance goals, including completing kick sets, mastering swim sets while maintaining good technique, and qualifying for the South Island Champs or higher competitions.
Swimmers will be expected to attend 4-5 one hour sessions per week.
Required Gear: long fins, pull buoy, kickboard, drink bottle, and mesh bag. These items can be ordered through the onsite shop.
Age Group
At this level, swimmers will refine the skills they learned in the Intermediate squad and focus on race planning along with the execution of simple race strategies. They will have opportunities to compete in squad race nights and organised swim meets against other clubs. This stage prepares swimmers to qualify for South Island Champs, Division II, and National Age Group competitions. Swimmers will concentrate on key performance goals, including completing kick sets, mastering swim sets, and aiming to qualify for the National Age Group Champs, or compete at NZ Open Water events.
Each week, swimmers will participate in three 2-hour sessions and three 1.5-hour sessions, in consultation with their coach.
Swimmers are also expected to attend every dry-land training session.
Required Gear: - Long fins, pull buoy, Kickboard, Hand paddles, Snorkel, Drink bottle, Mesh bag, Skipping rope, Microband. These items can be ordered through the onsite shop.
National
At this level, the program is designed to support swimmers at the elite level, including those participating in NZ Age Groups, NZ Opens, and NZ Short Courses, as well as swimmers involved in NZ Open Water events and international teams. The focus will be on developing stroke technique and refining skills for starts, turns, and finishes to achieve at the top level. The program will integrate important aspects such as nutrition, strength and conditioning, massage, and mental skills development.
Swimmers will work towards key performance goals, which include completing kick sets, completing swim sets, and participating in National and International events. The training schedule includes 5 sessions of 2 hours each and 3 sessions of 1.5 hours each.
Swimmers will have a total of 8 sessions available and are expected to attend 7-8 sessions, in consultation with the coach.
Required Gear: - Long fins, pull buoy, Kickboard, Hand paddles, Snorkel, Drink bottle, Mesh bag, Skipping rope, Microband. These items can be ordered through the onsite shop.
Multi-Class
The purpose of this program is to work with swimmers who have physical, intellectual, visual, and hearing disabilities. We provide tailored training to help develop their swimming skills, focusing on basic techniques to advance strokes, starts, and turns. Our aim is to promote inclusivity and build confidence in swimming, emphasizing individual progress and achievement. We also support swimmers in their journey from Makos Juniors to international competition levels.
Swimmers will swim one 1hour session per week.
Required Gear: - We’ll work closely with each paraplegic athlete to determine the appropriate gear that meets their individual needs.
The following links provide information on Para swimming and the rules that apply to Para swimming. All Para swimmers will be classified by and become members of Parafed Canterbury.
Parafed Canterbury is one of the leading regional Para sports providers in New Zealand, it has been operating since 1967 and is a not-for-profit organisation focusing on people with physical or visual impairments.
Registration Form for Parafed Canterbury.
The Academy provides support to Parafed Canterbury's leading Para athletes, coaches and officials, on their pathway to representing New Zealand at World Championships and the Paralympic Games. Those selected in the Academy will receive a funding grant, have the opportunity to attend seminars (such as media training, nutrition and drug free sport education), and have their achievements promoted through the year.
The Academy Information & Application Form.
For more information about disability swimming, visit the Swimming NZ website here, or view their rules here.
PARTNERSHIPS
Tasman Magic also works with the following people
Dawn Chalmers
Physiotherapist
John Shackleton
Sports Psychology
Tasman Magic Academy Timetable
|
SQUAD |
MONDAY |
TUESDAY |
WEDNESDAY |
THURSDAY |
FRIDAY |
SATURDAY |
|
JUNIOR |
3.30pm - 4.30pm |
3.30pm - 4.30pm |
3.30pm - 4.30pm |
3.30pm - 4.30pm |
|
|
|
INTERMEDIATE |
4.15pm - 5.30pm |
4.15pm - 5.30pm |
4.15pm - 5.30pm |
4.15pm - 5.30pm |
3.45pm - 5pm |
|
|
AGE GROUP |
5.40am - 7.30am |
5.10am - 7.30am |
|
|
5.40am - 7.30am |
5.40am - 8am |
|
|
4.15 - 5.15pm Dryland |
|
|
|
|
|
|
5.15pm - 7pm |
5.15pm - 7pm |
5.15pm - 7pm |
5.15pm - 7pm |
|
|
|
|
NATIONAL |
5.10am - 7.30am |
5.10am - 7.30am |
|
|
5.10am - 7.30am |
5.40am - 8am |
|
|
4.15 - 5.15pm Dryland |
|
|
|
|
|
|
5.15pm - 7.30pm |
5.15pm - 7pm |
5.15pm - 7pm |
5.15pm - 7pm |
|
|
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|
MULTI-CLASS |
|
|
|
|
5pm - 6pm |
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