The Avon Community Swim Team provides comprehensive training and practice sessions designed for individuals of varying ages and skill levels. Our primary objective is to deliver age-specific training tailored to each athlete, aiming to both challenge and maximize their potential development.

ACST Group Definitions & Criteria for Advancement (as of August 2025)

Developmental Group

Developmental group is aimed towards learning the fundamentals of swimming and preparing swimmers for our competitive team. Our developmental coaches will work with swimmers 1-1 to help them be able to swim 25 yards freestyle and 25 yards backstroke. 

Eligibility for Development Group requires the swimmer to fulfill the following criteria:

• Demonstrate a willingness to submerge and confidently place your face in the water.
• Display eagerness to learn and consistently strive to give your best effort.

Hatchling Orioles

Our Hatchling Orioles are our swimmers ages 8 and younger. For three practices per week during each eight week session, this group will have a lot of fun while focusing on the fundamentals of proper swimming technique, introductory aerobic training and basic racing strategies. To receive bonus training opportunities, any Hatchlings with divisional/state cuts will replace one practice per week swimming with the Junior Orioles as recommended by the coaches. Swimmers who join Hatchlings (session group) will pay for each 8-week session at the start of each session.

Performance Hatchling Orioles

Our Performance Hatchling Orioles are our swimmers ages 8 and younger. For three practices per week during each ten week session, this group will have a lot of fun while focusing on the fundamentals of proper swimming technique, introductory aerobic training and basic racing strategies. To receive bonus training opportunities, any Hatchlings with divisional/state cuts will replace one practice per week swimming with the Junior Orioles as recommended by the coaches. Swimmers who join Performance Hatchlings (session group) will pay for each 10-week session at the start of each session.

The performance groups are reserved for those who have earned individual divisional cuts in their age group (or previous age group if recently aged up). Please note, if your child is recommended to swim in the performance group but your family is not yet ready to make the year round commitment to our sport, you may opt into the regular group each session you plan to swim.

Nestling Orioles

Our Nestling Orioles are our swimmers ages 9-10. For four practices per week during each eight week session, this group will have fun while focusing on the fundamentals of proper swimming technique, basic aerobic training mixed with basic anaerobic work and continued race strategies. To receive bonus training opportunities, any Nestlings with divisional/state cuts will replace 1-2 practices per week swimming with the Junior Orioles as recommended by the coaches. Swimmers who join Nestlings (session group) will pay for each 8-week session at the start of each session.

Performance Nestling Orioles

Our Performance Nestling Orioles are our swimmers ages 9-10. For four practices per week during each ten week session, this group will have fun while focusing on the fundamentals of proper swimming technique, basic aerobic training mixed with basic anaerobic work and continued race strategies. To receive bonus training opportunities, any Nestlings with divisional/state cuts will replace 1-2 practices per week swimming with the Junior Orioles as recommended by the coaches. Swimmers who join Performance Nestlings (session group) will pay for each 10-week session at the start of each session.

The performance groups are reserved for those who have earned individual divisional cuts in their age group (or previous age group if recently aged up). Please note, if your child is recommended to swim in the performance group but your family is not yet ready to make the year round commitment to our sport, you may opt into the regular group each session you plan to swim.

Fledgling Orioles

Our Fledgling Orioles are our swimmers ages 11-14. For five practices per week during each eight week session, this group will have fun while focusing on the fundamentals of proper swimming technique, aerobic and anaerobic training all while learning some more advanced race strategies. To receive bonus training opportunities, any Fledglings with divisional/state cuts will replace 2-3 practices per week swimming with the Junior Orioles as recommended by the coaches. Swimmers who join Fledglings (session group) will pay for each 8-week session at the start of each session.

Performance Fledgling Orioles

Our Performance Fledgling Orioles are our swimmers ages 11-14. For five practices per week during each ten week session, this group will have fun while focusing on the fundamentals of proper swimming technique, aerobic and anaerobic training all while learning some more advanced race strategies. To receive bonus training opportunities, any Fledglings with divisional/state cuts will replace 2-3 practices per week swimming with the Junior Orioles as recommended by the coaches. Swimmers who join Performance Fledgling (session group) will pay for each 10-week session at the start of each session.

The performance groups are reserved for those who have earned individual divisional cuts in their age group (or previous age group if recently aged up). Please note, if your child is recommended to swim in the performance group but your family is not yet ready to make the year round commitment to our sport, you may opt into the regular group each session you plan to swim.

Any 7th and 8th graders who decline the invitation to swim with the Junior Orioles (a performance group) will continue to train with the Fledglings until they enter High School.

Junior Orioles

Our Junior Orioles are our middle school swimmers who have earned divisional cuts or beyond and have not yet entered high school. This year-round group will meet for six practices each week, the Junior Orioles will have fun while enhancing their technique, mixing aerobic and anaerobic training, and begin to design detailed race strategy based on their goals. To receive bonus training opportunities, any Junior Orioles with state cuts will add 1-2 morning practices per week swimming with the Senior Orioles as recommended by the coaches. Junior Orioles will have the option to pay for the full year in advance at a discounted rate or pay monthly.

Any 7th and 8th graders who decline the invitation to swim with the Junior Orioles (a performance group) will continue to train with the Fledglings until they enter High School.

High Performance Orioles

Our High Performance Orioles are our high school swimmers who are committed year-round to performing at the state, national and world level. Swimmers in this group are goal oriented and disciplined in their quest to become the best possible athlete they can become. They will work with their coach to design their performance goals, training plans and proper nutrition, hydration and sleep. High Performance Orioles will have the option to pay for the full year in advance at a discounted rate or pay monthly.

Senior Orioles

Our Senior Orioles are our high school swimmers who are looking for one practice per day to maintain their fitness while making technical advancements. For 5 practices per week during each eight week session, this group will have fun while staying in shape and advancing their technique. All high school swimmers with divisional cuts and beyond are encouraged to sign up for the HP Orioles group.

Graduating High Performance Orioles

Our Graduating High Performance Orioles are our graduating high school athletes wishing to participate in all practices but will not participate in the long course season. Athletes in the senior training group are focused on aerobic, anaerobic and strength training, technical excellence, mental preparation and nutritional guidelines. Members of this group are expected to attend meets and must compete in championship meets for which they qualify.