Swim 21
Swim 21 is the ASA's nationally recognised Club Development Program, aimed at:
"providing appropriate opportunities for swimmers, in order that they will attain their full potential,"
and brings together local authorities, clubs, Regional Development Officers, pool managers, teachers and coaches.
Bletchley & District Swim club lead the way in Milton Keynes by becoming the first swimming club in the area to be accredited with the Swim 21 award from the Amateur Swimming Association the national governing body for swimming, at Teaching and Skills development levels. These awards were presented to the club at the Buckinghamshire PE & Sports Development Conference in March 2005.
The links below are in PDF copies of our certificates. Please left click on the link below to open PDF file:
Swim 21 Skills Development Certificate
Sport England Club Mark Certificate
Swim 21 is all about the needs of swimmers. The program is structured around four levels, all equally important. These are as follows:
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Teaching Level
Swimmers are given quality opportunities to develop basic water skills, laying the foundation for future enjoyment. A qualified ASA teacher runs it.
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Skills Development Level
Swimmers develop technical skills in a training environment. A qualified ASA club coach runs this stage and the swimmer spends 4-7 hours in the water each week.
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Competitive Development Level
This is a training program that consistently produces athletes at District and National Age Group level. A qualified ASA coach leads it and there are 8-16 hours in the water each week.
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Performance Level
this is a training program that consistently produces athletes at National and International level. As well as having a qualified club coach, swimmers have a range of technical and fitness support. They spend more than 17 hours each week in the water.
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Each level contains criteria that a Club is required to meet in order to be accredited. Bletchley & District Swim Club has carried out and submitted an extensive audit on specific areas (concerned with swimmers development, teacher/coach education and club administration).
Playing a proactive role will also mean gaining help from the Sport England's Active Sports program, funded by the Lottery Sports Fund. One of Active Sports' main aims is the identification of ability and potential in young people and, by providing the opportunities as well as granting aid to Local Authorities they help to develop sound sports program for our youngsters.
Swim 21 is an ongoing, all-encompassing process: it can be used to access resources to work within a National framework, provides closer links with Local Authorities and the ASA and, equally, it involves all members of the club, from the Chief Coach right down to parent helpers.
There is no doubt that Swim 21 is one of the ASA's most significant national program, "the outcome of which, will be critical in shaping the future direction of club development in swimming."
