Halesowen Swimming Club is the first club in the West Midlands to complete its first four-year cycle of the ASA's Swim 21 scheme and re-accredit under the improved programme.
In February this year, Halesowen re-applied for Swim 21 accreditation to become one of the first clubs in the country to renew its Swim 21 Skill Development mark.
Swim 21 is the ASA’s club development model and has been in operation since 2002. Reviewed and amended at the beginning of 2006, the application process is now more straightforward and the scheme has opened up to all disciplines.
Swim 21 is recognised by Sport England as a Clubmark accredited scheme and therefore all clubs gaining Swim 21 accreditation will automatically receive Clubmark status.
Based on the principles of Long Term Athlete Development, Swim 21 encourages clubs to specialise in one of four areas; Teaching, Skill Development, Competitive Development and Performance. It recognises nationally and regionally the clubs that are committed to providing safe, effective and quality services for the benefit of their members.
Halesowen Swimming Club Chairman Duncan Edmonds is pleased with the club’s achievement and is keen to carry on their good work.
“When the club was accredited in 2002 there was a sense of having done an enormous amount of work to arrive at that point,” he said. “However, we have probably done as much work, if not more, since that time and there has been no stone left unturned at the club.”
“While we can briefly enjoy the knowledge and satisfaction that we are one of the first of the original Swim 21 clubs to be re-accredited, the everyday job of providing a rewarding and challenging environment for our 300+ swimmers supported by 70+ volunteers carries on regardless.”
Regional Development Officer Debbie Deane believes the club’s achievement will encourage more clubs in the region to work through the Swim 21 scheme.
“Some key members of Halesowen Swimming Club had a difficult year last year due to health problems, so it’s very rewarding to see the commitment the club has shown to the Swim 21 accreditation process,” she said. “Many clubs in the West Midlands are working hard to maintain the Swim 21 standard and I really hope that others will follow the example set by Halesowen.”
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For more information contact ASA Media Assistant Gemma Field on 01509 632262, 07917 726431 or email gemma.field@swimming.org
The Amateur Swimming Association is the English National Governing Body for Swimming, Diving, Water Polo, Open Water, and Synchronised Swimming. It organises competition throughout England, establishes the Laws of the Sport and operates comprehensive certification and education programmes for Teachers, Coaches and Officials as well as its renowned Learn To Swim Awards scheme. The ASA supports 1,600 affiliated swimming clubs through a National/Regional/County structure. The ASA aims to ensure everybody has an opportunity to learn to swim.
The Kellogg’s ASA Awards Scheme is the most successful awards scheme in British sport and issues around two million awards every year to swimmers all around the world.
For more information about ASA Awards please see www.swimming.org
