Regional Programme, Uncategorized

Regional Skills Academy 2026/27

Leave a comment

Congratulations to the 36 athletes selected for Connacht’s Regional Skills Academy 2026/27! 🏊‍♂️

Selected based on their performances at last season’s identified competitions, these talented young swimmers officially began their journey yesterday at Orientation Day in UL Sport Arena, Limerick.

The athletes embraced a packed day of training, education and personal development activities.

A huge thank you to our fantastic team who helped make the day such a success: ⭐ Swim Ireland National Team athletes Ellie McCartney and Danielle Farrell ⭐ Practitioners Ronan (Strength & Conditioning) and Robbie (Sports Psychology) ⭐ Coaches Kevin, Norma, Sara and Susan

Most importantly, thank you to our athletes for their energy, enthusiasm and commitment throughout the day.

What a team! 💙

Participating Clubs: Bluefin Swim Team | Ballinasloe Swimming Club | Castlebar Swimming Club | Claremorris Swimming Club | Comans Swimming Club | Galway Swimming Club | Laser Swimming Club | Longford Swimming Club | Shark Swimming Club Galway | County Sligo Swimming Club | Trident Swimming Club | Tuam Swim Club 🏊‍♀️🏊‍♂️

Coach Education

Developing Better Backstroke: Practical Poolside Clinic for Age-Group Coaches


Explore Backstroke Technique, Drills and Progressions to Support Development

This practical poolside clinic explores current approaches to coaching backstroke to swimmers aged 12 years and under, with a focus on the drills and progressions that help build a strong technical foundation.

Open to all club coaches, attendees examine key technical principles, discuss effective coaching strategies and observe how specific drills can be used to develop the stroke in young swimmers.

Coaches receive pre-clinic resources to review in advance, take part in a poolside discussion and see the drills working in a practical session.

One CPD point will be awarded upon completion.

Friday 2 October 2026, 1715 to 1900
Claremorris Leisure Centre, Dalton Street, Claremorris, Co Mayo
led by Helen Gunning, Regional Pathway Development Coach

CLICK HERE to register
(closes at 5pm on Thursday 1 October)

Meet Invitations

Future Challenger Series Meet 1

Future Challenger Series Meet 1 take place over the three sub-regions in the coming weeks.

Northern Region:
Ballina SC, Ballina Dolphins SC, Castlebar SC, Claremorris SC, County Sligo SC, Westport SC

Claremorris SC host on Sunday 27 September 2026 
DOWNLOAD FULL MEET DETAILS: HERE

Southern Region:
Bluefin SC, Galway SC, Laser SC, Shark SC and Tuam SC

Shark SC host on Saturday 3 October 2026 
DOWNLOAD FULL MEET DETAILS: TBC

Eastern Region:
Athlone SC, Ballinasloe SC, Carrick Fins SC, Comans SC, Longford SC and Trident SC

Athlone SC host on Saturday 17 October 2026 
DOWNLOAD FULL MEET DETAILS: TBC

Coach Education, Education

Level One Assistant Coach Course

Level One Assistant Coach Course starts Wednesday 26 August 2026 in Tuam, Co Galway

Wednesday 26 August 2026Virtual Classroom1800 to 2030
Thursday 27 August 2026Virtual Classroom1800 to 2030
Tuesday 1 September 2026Virtual Classroom1800 to 2030
Wednesday 2 September 2026Virtual Classroom1800 to 2030
Thursday 3 SeptemberPre-Practical Zoom1800 to 2030
Saturday 5 September 2026Coral Leisure, Tuam1600 to 1730 
1800 to 1900
Sunday 6 September 2026Coral Leisure, Tuam1600 to 1730 
Saturday 12 September 2026Coral Leisure, Tuam1600 to 1730 
1800 to 1900
Sunday 13 September 2026Coral Leisure, Tuam1600 to 1730 

For more details or to register, click HERE

Meet Invitations

2026 Regional Age Group and Senior Long Course Championships

Regional Age Group Championships 2026

UL Sport Arena, Limerick on Friday 8 to Sunday 10 May 2026

MEET INFORMATION: DOWNLOAD HERE (updated Friday 1 May)
HY-TEK FILES: DOWNLOAD HERE
ENTRIES: DOWNLOAD HERE (updated Tuesday 5 May)
PSYCH SHEET: DOWNLOAD HERE (updated Tuesday 5 May)
OFFICIALS ROTA: DOWNLOAD HERE
WARM UP ROTA: DOWNLOAD HERE

To join the WhatsApp please click link below:
https://chat.whatsapp.com/KUF0N3N5vAh8vQmcIdLCRc

Regional Senior Championships 2026

National Aquatic Centre, Dublin on Friday 22 to Sunday 24 May 2026

FULL MEET INFORMATION: DOWNLOAD HERE
HY-TEK FILES: DOWNLOAD HERE
OFFICIALS ROTA: DOWNLOAD HERE
WARM UP ROTA: DOWNLOAD HERE

Meet Invitations

2026 Connacht Open

The 2026 Connacht Open takes place Sunday 5 April 2026 at UL Sport Arena, Limerick.

This level 3 meet will be long course, and is open to all swimmers registered with Swim Ireland clubs in all regions

DOWNLOAD FULL MEET DETAILS: HERE
DOWNLOAD HY-TEK FILE: HERE
DOWNLOAD PSYCH SHEET: HERE
(as 30 March 2026)

DOWNLOAD OFFICIALS ROTA: HERE
DOWNLOAD WARM UP ROTA: HERE

Join the WhatsApp Group Chat:

Screenshot
Clubs, Education, Swim Ireland

Connacht Swim Parent Forum (February 2026)

The Connacht Swim Parent Forum is a great opportunity for swim parents to stay informed. 

This month, we revisit the Competition Pathway.

We’ll also highlight upcoming events, provide practical guidance to help parents support their swimmer’s development in the sport, and finish with a Q&A session – giving parents the opportunity to ask questions and share feedback.

To make the forum as accessible as possible, we’re offering two sessions. Please note, advance registration is required and will close at 5pm on the day prior to the meeting. 

Wednesday 25 February at 8pm – Register Here
Thursday 26 February at 1:05pm – Register Here

The Zoom link will be distributed ahead of each session.

Feel free to submit any questions in advance to helengunning@swimireland.ie