Payneham Swimming Club where you can learn, have fun, compete!
Our Club
Founded in 1942 as Richardson’s Industries Patriotic Club and based at the Adelaide City Baths, the Payneham Swimming Club is one of the oldest swimming clubs in South Australia.
Club History
Founded in 1942 as Richardson’s Industries Patriotic Club and based at the Adelaide City Baths, the Payneham Swimming Club is one of the oldest swimming clubs in South Australia. The Club originally participated in many forms of aquatic sport including surf lifesaving but gradually restricted its activities to competitive swimming.
In 1951 the Chrysler Corporation of America purchased T.J. Richardson & Sons Motor Body Builders and the swimming club became known as Chrysler Swimming Club. In 1969 the Adelaide City Baths were demolished to make way for the Festival Centre and the Chrysler Swimming Club relocated to the newly opened Payneham Memorial Swimming Pool. The Club then became known as the Payneham Chrysler Swimming Club.
The Payneham Chrysler Swimming Club produced several champions and won the famous River Torrens ‘Swim Thru Adelaide’ from 1970 to 1977. In 1980 the Japanese company, Mitsubishi, bought Chrysler Australia and withdrew its sponsorship of the swimming club. The City of Payneham stepped in and the club became known as Payneham Swimming Club and helped to nurture Olympic medallists Glenn Beringen and Martin Roberts.
Our Mission
To provide an inclusive, friendly, fun and safe family environment that encourages and supports the development of happy, healthy young swimmers who are confident, focused and self-motivated.
Our Vision
To inspire, encourage and enable our swimmers to achieve personal and team goals in the sport of swimming and life in general.
The Payneham Swimming Club promotes swimming for fun, fitness and competition.
Our Squads
From Yellow Squad to Gold Squad, we cater for entry level competitors to state level competition. Click more info and find out the information for each squad.
Our Squads
From Yellow Squad to Gold Squad, we cater for entry level competitors to state level competition. Click more info and find out the information for each squad.
YELLOW SQUAD
Yellow Squad is our lowest squad level and is a steppingstone from swim school lessons into squad training. Being a Development Squad, there is a key focus on fun and technique development while introducing the idea of competing at local club and school carnivals. Swimmers learn how to use a pace clock and how to swim on time cycles. Swimmers should know how to swim freestyle, backstroke and breaststroke. They do not need to know butterfly before they trial but knowing dolphin kick is ideal. They will be taught butterfly before they move onto Blue Squad.
BLUE SQUAD
Blue Squad is our highest level of Development Squads and is where swimmers are encouraged to enter into some bigger carnivals. Swimmers in this squad are also encouraged to participate at the Junior Participation meet which is held twice a year and is an introduction to State Championships. In Blue Squad, there is still a strong emphasis on technique development, where swimmers also learn how to maintain their stroke when swimming fast. Swimmers in this level know all four strokes confidently and know how to use a pace clock without assistance.
BRONZE SQUAD
Bronze Squad is our lowest level of our Performance Squads. In this squad swimmers either have State Qualifying Times or are close to achieving them. In Bronze Squad, swimmers experience a more individualistic approach to technique development where stroke technique is fitted to each specific swimmer. Swimmers in Bronze Squad learn how to hold a pace when swimming longer distances, and the introduction of target times is made here. Swimmers compete regularly at club carnival and Swimming SA events and train at least 3 times a week. Swimmers in this squad may also compete at SAPSASA for their school.
SILVER SQUAD
Silver Squad is our next Performance Squad. Swimmers is Silver Squad not only compete at State Championships but aim to place highly. Silver Squad swimmers have developed a main stroke/distance and a technique that works for them. They train at least five times a week and compete regularly at club carnival and Swimming SA events. Swimmers in this squad are familiar with target times and how to pace in order to achieve them. Silver Squad swimmers also may compete at weekly school competitions as a part of their school swimming team.
GOLD SQUAD
Gold Squad is our highest squad currently available at Payneham Swimming Club. It is the final squad of the Performance Group. Our Gold Squad swimmers are competitive at State competitions and have goals to compete at National Championships. Our Gold Squad swimmers train at least five times a week and swim at most of the clubs targeted meets. Gold Squad is a step up from Silver Squad. They do mostly the same session structure but harder time cycles and longer distances. Swimmers in Gold Squad are also encouraged to be role models for the club and to support the Development Squads at club events and carnivals.
Coaches
Our coaches aim to create an environment such that Payneham Swimming Club is a place where swimmers feel comfortable and able to reach their full potential.
Head Coach – Emily Spencer
I first started swimming competitively in 2014 when I first joined Payneham Swimming Club. I then swam through to 2020 competing at a state level for 7 years for both Payneham Swimming Club and Tea Tree Gully Swimming Club. In 2020, I began coaching at Payneham Swimming Club as the Development Coach, then moving into the Assistant Coach role in 2021, then eventually moved into the role of Head Coach in 2023.
Swimming is a sport that provides anyone with opportunities to succeed, have fun and compete in a safe and welcoming environment, by also developing life skills such as communication, teamwork and maintaining a strong work ethic to achieve. By watching my swimmers thrive, it creates a positive and encouraging atmosphere between the swimmers and I, which Payneham Swimming Club and I take pride in, hoping to create a safe and welcoming club for everyone to reach their full potential. By encouraging this environment for our swimmers, it allows them to reach their goals and have fun in the process.
At Payneham Swimming Club, I support all swimmers to have efficient technique, a strong work ethic and encouraging a positive mindset to achieve their goals, whether that’s at training or competing. This will allow swimmers to reach their full potential and to be the athlete they aspire to be. By encouraging these mindsets, swimmers can watch their progress and look back at how far they have come in the sport.
Training Times
On mobile slide horizontally to view whole timetable:
Summer Season
(early October to mid April)
Download the training times HERE
Norwood Swimming Centre
32 Phillips St, Kensington SA 5068
| Program | Mon | Tues | Wed | Thurs | Fri | Sat | Sun |
| LOCATION | Norwood | Norwood | Norwood | Norwood | Norwood | Norwood | – |
| Yellow Squad | 4:45pm – 6:00pm | 4:45pm – 6:00pm | 4:45pm – 6:00pm | 10:00am – 11:30am | – | ||
| Blue Squad | 4:45pm – 6:00pm | 4:45pm – 6:00pm | 4:45pm – 6:00pm | 10:00am – 11:30am | – | ||
| Bronze Squad | 5:30pm – 7:30pm | 5:00pm – 7:30pm | 5:30pm – 7:30pm | 5:30pm – 7:30pm | 8:00am – 10:30am | – | |
| Silver Squad | 5:30pm – 7:30pm | 5:00pm – 7:30pm | 5:30pm – 7:30pm | GYM @Studio6 :5:30am – 6:300am *with coach approval4:45pm – 07:00pm |
5:30pm – 7:30pm | 8:00am – 10:30am | – |
| Gold Squad | 5:30pm – 7:30pm | 5:00pm – 7:30pm | 5:30pm – 7:30pm | GYM @Studio6 :5:30am – 6:300am *with coach approval4:45pm – 07:00pm |
5:30pm – 7:30pm | 8:00am – 10:30am | – |
Pool entry fees apply at the Payneham & Norwood summer training sessions.
Please refer to the City of Norwood, Payneham & St Peters website for fees and opening dates.
Winter Season
(mid April to end September)
Download the training times HERE
St Peter’s College Burchnall Sports Centre
55 Hackney Rd, Hackney, SA 5069
| Program | Mon | Tues | Wed | Thurs | Fri | Sat | Sun |
| LOCATION | St Peter’s | St Peter’s | St Peter’s | St Peter’s | St Peter’s | St Peter’s | – |
| Yellow Squad | 5:45pm – 7:00pm | 4:45pm – 6:00pm | 4:45pm – 6:00pm | 8:00am – 9:30am | |||
| Blue Squad | 5:45pm – 7:00pm | 4:45pm – 6:00pm | 4:45pm – 6:00pm | 8:00am – 9:30am | |||
| Bronze Squad | 6:30pm – 8:30pm | 5:30pm – 7:30pm | 5:30pm – 7:30pm | GYM @ Studio 6 *coach selection | 5:30pm – 7:30pm | 8:00am – 10:30am | |
| Silver Squad | 6:30pm – 8:30pm | 5:30pm – 7:30pm | 5:30pm – 7:30pm | GYM @ Studio 6 *compulsory
5:30am – |
5:30pm – 7:30pm | 8:00am – 10:30am | |
| Gold Squad | 6:30pm – 8:30pm | 5:30pm – 7:30pm | 5:30pm – 7:30pm | GYM @ Studio 6 *compulsory
5:30am – |
5:30pm – 7:30pm | 8:00am – 10:30am |
Competition
Information on Swim Meets, competitions and link to a mobile app.
Payneham Swimming Club targets specific swim meets each season. Our coaches set the targeted meets prior to commencement of each season. This will allow the parents and our swimmers to prepare for the upcoming season. All consideration takes place when choosing these swim meets in order to ensure exposure for our swimmers to a variety of meets, abilities and to facilitate a specific number of meets where qualifying state times can be achieved.
Some swim meets such as Division 1 and State Championships require qualifying times to enter.
At the Swim Meet
Swimmers are expected to wear the Club uniform and yellow swim cap at all swim meets. Club merchandise, except swim caps, is available at our online store. Please contact merchandise@paynehamsc.com.au for competition swim caps or more information.
Swimmers are expected to arrive at the pool in time for the warm up session. If the swim meet has a separate warm up/cool down pool swimmers may arrive a minimum 90 mins prior to their first event scheduled starting time.
Swimmers are expected to make contact with the coach before and after each event and carry out a cool down swim after each event.
Some swim meets such as State Championships have significant penalties for not competing in nominated events or finals. If you do not intend to swim an event you have nominated for or a final you have made, please notify the Team Manager for the Meet at least one hour before the event so you can be withdrawn from that event. Any penalty received by Payneham Swimming Club for a swimmer not withdrawing from an event or final may be invoiced to that swimmer for payment.
The “Meet Mobile” app available for Android and Apple is a great way to track your swimmer’s events and times.
Please refer to this guide for attending a swim meet or contact the Swim Meet Coordinator at swimmeets@paynehamsc.com.au for more information.
Competition
Development Guide
View the requirements for competition and up coming events.
It is important that all swimmers continue to focus on all four strokes over various disciplines to evoke a strong understanding of their own body and to provide clear markers for improving through training.
It is important to note that age group swimmers should continuously focus on all 4 strokes and avoid allowing one stroke to dominate while developing as a swimmer due to maturation finishing well into the early to mid-20s and the body/overall understanding can adapt and change variously over time. Maturation is quite simply the process of becoming mature. To understand maturation properly, we must realise that each child differs with the timing and tempo of this process. Timing refers to ‘when’ maturation begins, while tempo refers to the ‘rate’ at which it progresses.
To assist with their development, all swimmers are encouraged to participate in the following events:
| Event | Yellow | Blue | Bronze | Silver | Gold |
| 50 Freestyle | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 50 Backstroke | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 50 Breaststroke | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 50 Butterfly | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 100 Freestyle | Optional | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 100 Backstroke | Optional | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 100 Breaststroke | Optional | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 100 Butterfly | No | Optional | Optional | Yes | Yes |
| 100 IM | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 200 Freestyle | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 200 Backstroke | No | Optional | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 200 Breaststroke | No | Optional | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 200 Butterfly | No | No | Optional | Optional | Yes |
| 200 IM | No | Optional | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 400 Freestyle | No | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| 400 IM | No | No | No | Yes | Yes |
Yes – recommended for the swimmer
No – not recommended for the swimmer
Optional – recommended but not a priority for the swimmer
Once a goal, State or National time has been achieved in any event the swimmer should avoid that event at upcoming meets and focus on the next most likely event they believe they are able to qualify or achieve at (unless the coach has advised otherwise).
As a guide, try to avoid repeating events more than 3 meets in a row. It takes time to develop new skills and fitness capabilities and the reality is that most swimmers won’t see significant time improvement in individual events for months at a time, assuming the swimmer has been consistently attending the coach’s recommended number of training sessions and days.
To avoid unnecessary disappointment, try to create variation in events from meet to meet. It is also essential for great all-round development.
Club Relay
Relays give PSC club members the opportunity represent as a team. The PSC encourages commitment from as many members as possible.
The teams submitted will be dependent upon the number of swimmers able to participate in each age group/open event.
Club Relay
Relays give PSC club members the opportunity represent as a team. The PSC encourages commitment from as many members as possible.
The teams submitted will be dependent upon the number of swimmers able to participate in each age group/open event.
Relays give PSC club members the opportunity represent as a team. The PSC encourages commitment from as many members as possible. The teams submitted will be dependent upon the number of swimmers able to participate in each age group/open event. Swimmers who have not qualified for individual events at the State & National Championships are still eligible for consideration.
Selection Criteria:
PSC Coaches will be responsible for the formation of the teams.
The teams should consist of the fastest combination of four swimmers for each age category by gender. Fastest available swimmers will be placed in the relay team for each age group, until the club has filled an A and possibly B team, depending on the number of eligible swimmers in that age category. On occasions swimmers may swim up an age group to form a team eg: Two 14&U boys + two 16&U boys could form to swim a 16 &U relay.
Swimmers Competition performances – PSC Coaches will assess the swimmers personal best times as well as their seasonal best times. The reason for looking at both is that there are periods where swimmers competition results fluctuate depending on various individual circumstances and the team is always looking for the best indicators for performance at the meet.
Swimmers Current Training Attendance and Performance – PSC Coaches will assess what the swimmer might be able to do in competition based on current training levels. If a swimmer has been training exceptionally well and not missed a session it is assumed that they will perform well at the meet.
Relay Skills – refer to specific relay skills like relay change overs and a swimmers ability to “swim above themselves” in a relay, based on the the coach’s assessment.
Please note the following:
Relay teams will be posted prior 2 days prior to the nominations closing date for States & Nationals
Any swimmer who withdraws after the relays have been submitted to Swimming SA will be responsible for reimbursing the club for the cost of the relay team entry.
Teams will be finalised and announced prior to the meet.
Uniforms & Merch
While it is not compulsory to purchase uniform it is encouraged once your swimmer has joined the club.
View ordering info below.
While it is not compulsory to purchase uniform it is encouraged once your swimmer has joined the club.
Club swim caps and bathers can be purchased from the Merchandise Officer merchandise@paynehamsc.com.au
Club Merchandise
To purchase club merchandise please click on the following link
http://www.order.totallyworkwear.com.au
Username: PSC
Password: surname
Officials
Volunteer officials are essential for running successful swim meets. Payneham Swimming Club must provide the required number of officials for each meet and this number is dependent on the number of Payneham swimmers registered for that meet.
Officials
Volunteer officials are essential for running successful swim meets. Payneham Swimming Club must provide the required number of officials for each meet and this number is dependent on the number of Payneham swimmers registered for that meet.
Volunteer officials are essential for running successful swim meets. Payneham Swimming Club must provide the required number of officials for each meet and this number is dependent on the number of Payneham swimmers registered for that meet.
Parents of Payneham Swimming Club swimmers entered in events will be required to time keep, inspect turns, marshal swimmers or participate in any other duty that ensures the swim meet is able to run successfully.
It is a Club expectation and requirement that at least one parent from each family that has a swimmer competing at a swim meet will be available to volunteer for official duties. Our swimmers can only compete if we provide the correct amount of swim meet official volunteers on the day.
Committee members who volunteer significant amounts of time to their roles within the Club are not required to volunteer for official duties at meets.
All parent volunteers MUST have a ‘Working with Children Check’. ‘Working with children’ checks are free and can be applied for through Swimming SA.
Committee
As a non for-profit sporting organisation we rely on our parent volunteers to provide support to the club.
View all committee members below.
As a non for-profit sporting organisation we rely on our parent volunteers to provide support to the club.
Our current Committee Members are:
President & Public Officer
Jelena Giro
president@paynehamsc.com.au
Vice President
Vacant
vicepresident@paynehamsc.com.au
Secretary
Elena Cortazzo
mailto: secretary@paynehamsc.com.au
Treasurer
Pam Baker
treasurer@paynehamsc.com.au
Swim Meet Coordinator
Phil McGuire-Coward
Member Protection Information Officer (MPIO)
Jelena Giro
mpio@paynehamsc.com.au
Merchandise Officer
Rebecca Copeland
merchandise@paynehamsc.com.au
Sponsors
Payneham Swimming Club is proud to advise that we have amazing sponsors that continue to support the development of our swimmers and uphold our vision of this club. It is through their generosity we can offer additional support to this amazing swimming community and club. Please click on the below logos to view our sponsors. Please support them as they continue to support us!
Club policies
Access and download all club policies on the links below.
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Join Us!
New members are welcome to join the Club at any time of the swimming season.
Email us at: coach@paynehamsc.com.au to arrange a free assessment.
Join Us!
New members are welcome to join the Club at any time of the swimming season.
Email us at: info@paynehamsc.com.au to arrange a free assessment.
New members are welcome to join the Club at any time of the swimming season.
Please email us at coach@paynehamsc.com.au to arrange a free assessment.
Why choose Payneham Swimming Club?
The Payneham Swimming Club is a family orientated club that aims to encourage swimming in the community and to develop swimmers to the best of their ability. This is achieved by utilising swimming coaches that are highly qualified and passionate about advancing the members to reach their potential. Along with consistent training the club encourages many social activities to develop strong unity and friendships among club members and wider community.
We are a strong community-based club providing a range of opportunities for members to develop their potential in all forms of swimming including competition, fitness and stroke development.
The Club is proactive in its endeavour to create an environment which is accepting and inclusive of people of all abilities. We understand the potential for everyone to participate at the level and in a role of their choice and is committed to creating an inclusive club culture.
‘Come and Try’ Payneham Swimming Club
If you have not previously been a member of another Swimming SA club you can participate in a free four week Swimming SA membership. During this time, only training fees and pool entry apply. There is no obligation to join Payneham Swimming Club.
Join as a ‘Come and Try’ member.
Training sessions include land-based activities so all swimmers are required to wear comfortable sport clothing, including joggers, as well as their swim wear to training.
Swimmers who wish to continue training after the four week ‘Come and Try’ period has expired are required to join Payneham Swimming Club & Swimming SA.
How to Join Payneham Swimming Club
Once you have completed your “Come and try” with us please contact our Registrar committee member on secretary@paynehamsc.com.au and they will provide you with all necessary documentation and process steps.
Contact Us
Office
194 O G Rd, Felixstow SA 5070,
Australia