Our Squad Program
At Riverton Aquanauts, our squad program supports swimmers as they develop skills, confidence and an athlete mindset built on commitment, consistency, respect and resilience.
Our coaches guide, support and challenge each swimmer at the right level, with squad placement and progression made at the coaches’ discretion. As swimmers move through the squad pathway, they are supported to build stronger training habits, commitment and independence.
Explore our squad groups below to learn more about each level, the training focus and the coaching team.
Our Squads
Torpedo Squad
Swimmers age 7-11 years
1 or 2 sessions per week but 2 sessions is recommended
Target: Junior State Squad Entry Criteria
CRITERIA & OBJECTIVES - Completed stage/level 7 - Introduction to squads - Focus drills/skills, development of all 4 strokes, starts and turns - Equipment- Fins, kick board, water bottle - Distance per session 1.3 - 1.6km - RVA club Participation membership is encouraged; competing optional
1 Session: $16.50 per week
2 session: $19.90 per week
Junior State Squad
Swimmers age 8-12 years
3 sessions per week
Target: Junior State Qualifying Times within 6 months
CRITERIA & OBJECTIVES - Refine and advance techniques and skills in all 4 strokes - Increase training intensity and begin to push limits - Use of pace clock - Equipment Fins, kick board, pull buoy, water bottle - Distance per session 2-3km - RVA annual membership required and competing compulsory
3 sessions: $26.85 per week
Development Squad
Swimmers age 12-13+ years
3 to 4 sessions per week
Target: Age State Squad Entry Criteria
CRITERIA & OBJECTIVES - Refine and advance techniques and skills in all 4 strokes, but may not yet be targeting or on track to achieve Age State Qualifying times - Increase training intensity and begin to push limits - Use of pace clock - Equipment Fins, kick board, pull buoy, water bottle - Distance per session 2-4km - RVA participation membership required and competing compulsory
3 sessions: $26.85 per week
4 sessions: $30.72 per week
Age State Squad
Swimmers age 12-13+ years
4 sessions per week
Target: Age State Qualifying Times within 6 months
CRITERIA & OBJECTIVES - Gradually increase training intensity further and include dry land strength sessions - Focus continued development of drills/skills on all 4 competitive strokes including starts, turns and finishes - Strong training ethic and athlete mindset essential - Attendance consistency & demonstrated commitment - Equipment Fins, kick board, paddles, pull buoy, snorkel, water bottle - Distance per session 3-5km - RVA annual membership required and competing compulsory
4 sessions: $30.72 per week
Performance Squad
Swimmers age 12-13+ years
5 to 7 sessions per week
Target: Hold Age State Qualifying times and targeting National Qualifying Times
CRITERIA & OBJECTIVES - Intense focus on skills, techniques, speed and endurance - Focus technique on all 4 competitive strokes and racing skills - Strong training ethic and athlete mindset essential - Attendance consistency & demonstrated commitment - Equipment Fins, kick board, paddles, pull buoy, snorkel, resistance sponge, water bottle - Comprehensive gym and dry land strength sessions - Distance 4-7km per session - RVA annual membership required and competing is compulsory
5 sessions: $34.50 per week
7 sessions: $41.90 per week
UniSwim Squad
Studying in Year 12 or University
3 sessions per week
Target: Meet study goals while maintaining high performance in the pool
CRITERIA & OBJECTIVES - Former Performance squad swimmer, or at head coach discretion - Swim with the Performance Squad - Equipment Fins, kick board, pull buoy, water bottle, resistance sponge - Distance 4-7km per session - RVA Annual membership required and competing compulsory, with exceptions made for study with head coach approval
3 sessions: $26.85 per week
FitSpeed Squad
Swimmers age 12yrs +
1 or 2 sessions per week
Target: Progress to Development Squad or maintain fitness and performance
CRITERIA & OBJECTIVES - Swimmers aged 12 years+ committed to improving swimming fitness, technique and overall performance. - Suitable for swimmers who enjoy training for fitness, or competitive swimmers working towards meeting the entry criteria for higher performance squads. - Primary focus on freestyle endurance and speed, with all four strokes incorporated into training. - Improve swimming speed, fitness and pacing through structured training. - Develop confidence using the pace clock and training to set times. - Equipment: Fins, kickboard, pull buoy, water bottle. - Distance per session: 2–3km. - RVA Annual Membership is not required. Competition is optional
1 session: $16.50 per week
2 sessions: $19.90 per week
Our Coaching Team
Meet our dedicated, driven and hard-working Riverton Aquanauts Swimming Club Coaches. With a holistic approach to swimming, Gemma Herrington has proven results in the pool. We're biased, but we know you'll love training under her too!
Head Coach
Gemma Herrington
Gemma is an Advanced coach and has many years’ experience in the water as a qualified babies, Learn To Swim and special needs teacher. Gemma started her coaching journey at Riverton Leisureplex in 2010, becoming the Head Coach of Riverton Aquanauts when the club became affiliated with SWA in 2014. Gemma has coached at all levels - from Juniors, Age Group, Multi-Class & fitness. She has developed many of the state’s top swimmers and they have competed in the Age & Open Nationals Swimming Championships. These swimmers have made the finals and also placed top 3 nationally. Gemma encourages the swimmers to learn important life-long skills and to perform to the best of their ability.
HIGHLIGHTED ACHIEVEMENTS
2025
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Winner - Swimming WA Lester Watkins Development Coach of the year
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Finalist - Perth Metro Club of the year and Pathway Program of the Year
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Australian Age (6 swimmers) & Short Course Open Nationals (1 swimmer)
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Swimmer selected for National Flipper squad competing in Tokyo (Oct '25)
2024
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Australian age & MC nationals (8 swimmers, 2 Gold, 1 Silver, 2 Bronze)
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WA state relays coach
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2 Australian mulit-class records
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Winner - Perth Metro Club of the Year
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Winner - Club Premierships B Division
2023
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Winner - Swimming WA Development Coach of the Year
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Australian Age & MC Nationals (8 swimmers, 2 Bronze medals, 1 Australian multi-class record)
2022
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Australian Age Nationals - Adelaide (6 swimmers, 7 finals, 1 Gold, 1 Silver, 1 Bronze)
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SWA Development Coach of the Year nominee
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Australian Open Championships - Sydney (1 swimmer, 3 Finals)
2019
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SWA Development Coach of the Year nominee
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Australian Age Nationals - Adelaide (3 swimmers, 3 finals)
2018
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Australian Age Nationals - Sydney (1 swimmer, 2 finals)
2017
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Australian Age Nationals - Brisbane (1 swimmer, 1 final)
Junior Coaches
Vital mentors who teach foundational skills, teamwork, and sportsmanship
Luke
Petite
Juliette
Tonge
Daisy
Kammermann
Mathew
Loffler
Jessica
Ladiszlai
Training Timetable
