Romsey and Totton Swimming Club

Romsey & Totton Swimming Club first achieved their Swim 21 Accreditation in August  2004 and this has been maintained with the latest accreditation being achieved in August 2008

What is Swim 21?

Swim 21 is the ASA's Club Development model - a planning tool, based on the principles of Long Term Athlete Development, enabling clubs to help athletes, teachers, coaches and administrators to achieve their full potential. It focuses particularly on the needs of athletes - striving to provide them with the best possible support and environment.

Swim 21 Accreditation is a 'Quality mark'. It recognises nationally and regionally the clubs that are committed to providing safe, effective and quality services for the benefit of their members.

Clubs work steadily towards the attainment of a series of outcomes all of which are seen as essential if the right level of support is to be provided at each stage of an athlete's development.

Swim 21 Accreditation is available to ASA clubs of all aquatic disciplines and are positioned at one or more of the four levels of:

Ÿ  Teaching - where the emphasis is on quality teaching using a multi skill approach, underpinned by sound governance

Ÿ  Skill Development  - where the athletes develop their technical skill within a quality programme of coaching and competition, supported by sound governance

Ÿ  Competitive Development - where, supported by sound governance, athletes are part of a quality training and development programme, which consistently enables athletes to compete successfully at regional and national levels

Ÿ  Performance  - where athletes can access training and support services in a performance development environment that is focussed and coach driven

The benefits of becoming a Swim 21 Accredited Club are mainly seen through the process itself. The programme enhances club management, strengthens the structures and unites the club with a philosophy and programmes that ensures the best environment is available for swimmers.

Some key outcomes and benefits are listed below:

Swimmer Achievement

Enables clubs to help swimmers achieve their full potential as Swim 21 is a planning tool based upon the needs of swimmers and strives to provide them with the best possible environment.

Recognition

·         National recognition that clubs are providing a quality service for all  members. National recognition is received through the achievement of Swim 21 accreditation. As such all Swim 21 accredited clubs will be listed at www.britishswimming.org

·         Recognition by Sport England that clubs are safe, effective and child friendly through achievement of Sport England Club mark Resources

·         Resource materials on best practice available to clubs - ensuring that the club shows good practice throughout its daily activity.

Funding

Enhanced access to various sources of funding. Clubs who are working towards or have achieved Swim 21 Accreditation may be looked upon more favourably when applying for sources of funding. For example. Swim 21 Accredited Clubs are prioritised to form links with local schools and PESSCL (Physical Education, School Sport Club Links) funding is available to support school-club link projects. In addition it can be used as a negotiation tool with Local Authorities, in terms of seeking additional water time or a reduction in its cost, as  work towards Swim 21 may help achieve  objectives in terms of quality service provision.

Other benefits that Swim 21 will provide for swimming clubs include:

·         Publicity/ promotion/ recognition & profile

·         More members

·         More coaches

·         More officials/ volunteers

·         Increased opportunity to secure funding

·         A more organised & resourced club

·         School/club links

·         Greater support from ASA & other networks

·         Club sustainability/ longevity/ development

·         Swimmer achievement/development

·         A successful method of spreading a club's workload

Further information

Romsey & Totton swimming club has all the evidence submitted for our accreditation in four large folders. If you wish to see this evidence, please contact the Swim 21 Coordinator, Colin Wood (colin.wood@ordnancesurvey.co.uk ) or one of the Swim 21 team: Pete Bambridge.

Swim 21 is an ongoing programme with annual revalidations so assistance is always required to carry on the Swim 21 programme, if you would like to become involved, please talk to one of the Swim 21 team.