Embedded Files
2025-2026 Trial Dates
Secondary - Friday 15th August @ 3:15 pm
Primary - Tuesday 19th August @ 3:15 pm
Q&A with Siobhan Haughey
Dear CIS swimmers,
I have recently sent 2 questions to Siobhan, our world record holder, and world champion, regarding her thoughts on the difference between training in HK and the USA, and on long-term athletes development.
Below please find what she wrote back:
Coach John: What is the biggest difference between the training systems in Hong Kong and the United States?
Siobhan: Something I like about the training in the US is that it has many different focuses and components. For pool training, our sessions focus on these aspects, like threshold, power and resistant work, technique, top end speed, race pace etc. For land training we have gym, spinning, yoga and Pilates, core work, HIIT etc.
Each session has one focus and a purpose. We can focus solely on that component since we have a clear direction of what we are doing for each session. This also allows us to work on different parts of our swimming, so we can have a more all rounded development. We’re not just merely doing sprints, or merely doing aerobic work. We’re working on everything.
Coach John: With so many young swimmers peaking in their early stages of development, what are your thoughts on LTAD for Hong Kong swimmers?
Siobhan: Treat an athlete’s athletic development as a marathon, not a sprint. If you want a swimmer to have a long and successful career, you have to treat them right from a young age. You want them to improve bit by bit every year, instead of having a very successful year followed by a long plateau. Sometimes when coaches and parents see their younger swimmer has potential, they might get too excited and want to train this young swimmer like an elite swimmer. Kids might not be ready for this kind of training, so it might lead to burnout, or loss of interest in swimming.
If a young swimmer shows potential, he or she should be protected and supported. Make sure the swimmer is ready before they take on the next step. For instance, before I was 18, I never went to the gym or did any weights. I’ve only done body weight workouts. The heaviest weight I’ve lifted in training was a medicine ball. My coach knew that my body was still developing, and I wasn’t ready to lift weights or go to the gym yet. Don’t rush young swimmers into different kinds of training when they are not ready, physically or mentally.
I am sure we will all benefit from her thoughts and she will definitely be a role model for all our swimmers.
Regards
Coach John
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