More than two-dozen clubs have gained swim21 accreditation – the asa’s 'Quality Mark' for clubs – in the latest round of awards.
At its quarterly meeting, the swim21 National Panel approved the decisions of the Regional Panels and awarded 26 clubs with new swim21 accreditations, as well as re-accrediting a further 16 clubs for the next four years.
swim21 is the asa’s way of ensuring every athlete – whatever their age or level of experience – belongs to a club that provides the best possible support and environment.
David Flack, chair of the swim21 National Panel, said: “There was again a good mix across all of the aquatic disciplines, with 12 accreditations going to clubs from Swimming, four from Diving and two from Synchronised Swimming.
“We are trying to encourage as many clubs as possible to achieve swim21 accreditation because it means every accredited club is providing safe, effective and quality services for the benefit of their swimmers and non-swimming members.
"But it’s also important our newly accredited clubs realise that swim21 is not just a badge of honour. Used properly it will be a development tool for these clubs that allows athletes, teachers, coaches and administrators to continually improve and reach their full potential.”
Rugby Synchro club was one of those that achieved accreditation. Hannah Dudley, swim21 Co-ordinator for Rugby Synchro commented: ”Going through the swim21 process has helped Rugby Synchro to focus on vital components that are needed to run a successful club.
“I think that it has helped us to put in place a structure and a standard that will help to not only improve the standard of our coaches and swimmers but also provide a well run club for many years to come. Now that we have been awarded with swim21 accreditation, working with our Regional Development Officers to set and achieve goals on a yearly basis will help to keep standards high and improving further.”
The other clubs accredited in the latest round were:
Amersham Swimming Club
Biggleswade Swimming Club
Bournemouth Dolphins Swimming Club
Brighouse Swimming Club
Calverton & Bingham Swimming Club
City of Hereford Swimming Club
City of Leeds Diving Club
Darlington ASC
Dawlish Swimming & Lifesaving Association
Dereham & District Swimming Club
Dove Valley ASC
East Grinstead Swimming Club
Edmonton Phoenix Swimming Club
Ellesmere Port ASC
Epping Forest & District Swimming Club
Fareham Nomads
Hamble Aquatics Swimming Club
Huntingdon Piranhas Swimming Club
Kelly College Swimming Club
Kingsbridge Kingfishers Swimming Club
Liverpool Penguin Swimming Club
Long Eaton Swimming Club
Maidstone Swimming Club
Newmarket &District Swimming Club
Northwich ASC
Norwich Swan Swimming Club
Oakengates Swimming Club
Richmond Dales ASC
Romsey& Totton Swimming Club
Rugby Synchro
Runcorn REPS ASC
Rykneld Swimming Club
Sherwood Colliery
Spinney Hill Swimming Club
Star Diving Club
Thorne Tigers ASC
Wantage White Horses Swimming Club
Winchester City Penguins Swimming Club
Wirral Metro
Worsley ASC
The total number of swim21 accreditations now stands at 373 and can be broken down by discipline, as follows:
Swimming: 352
Diving: 11
Synchronised Swimming 7
Water Polo 3
Total 373
For the full list of swim21 accredited clubs CLICK HERE
The dates for next year’s swim21 National Panel Meetings were also set, as follows:
25 March 2009
20 May 2009
19 August 2009
18 November 2009
-ENDS-
For more information contact the asa PR Manager Sharon Rose on 01509 632262, 07876 652318 or email sharon.rose@swimming.org
The asa 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 1,220 affiliated swimming clubs through a National/Regional/County structure. The asa aims to ensure everybody has an opportunity to learn to swim.
About Kellogg
The Kellogg Company was founded in 1906 and today produces 40 different cereals including popular brands such as Special K, Cornflakes and Coco Pops, and 56 different snacks including brands such as Nutri-Grain, FruitaBu and Special K snacks.
About Speedo®
Synonymous with swimwear, the iconic brand celebrates 80 years of dominance creating revolutionary new technologies, designs and innovations. In the 1920s Speedo® made history with the Racerback: the world’s first non-wool suit. In 2008 Speedo® redefines swimwear again with Fastskin® LZR RACER® - the fastest and most technologically advanced swimsuit ever created; meanwhile designer collaborations with Comme des Garçons put Speedo® at the cutting edge of design. As the world’s leading swimwear brand, Speedo® is passionate about life in and around the water, supporting swimming from beginners through to elite level, including the phenomenal Michael Phelps. Speedo® is owned by Pentland Brands and distributed in over 170 countries around the world; to find out more visit: www.speedo.com. SPEEDO, the ARROW device, FASTSKIN, LZR PULSE and LZR RACER are registered trademarks of Speedo Holdings B.V. The LZR RACER suit has worldwide design rights and patents pending.