British Swimming looks to enable its athletes to achieve gold medals in the Olympics, Paralympics, World Championships and Commonwealth Games.
There are many Grass Roots schemes dedicated to teaching children how to swim, there are many different schemes on offer to young children depending on the sort of thing they want to do. For example the Amateur Swimming Association run a number reward schemes that many people would be familiar with. The Rainbow Swimming Award Scheme gets children to swim as far as they can without stopping, distances range from 10 meters to 10,000 meters, rewarding the participant with a certificate and badge. This scheme is backed by the ASA and is sponsored by a drinks company called Kia-ora.
Alternatively for absolute beginners there is the Teddybear Diploma Award to pass this you must complete five activities in the water. These activities are designed to get the young swimmer used to the water and leads on to the previous schemes once the child has learnt to swim.
One major issue involved in British Swimming is sponsorship, events need to be funded and with competitions as large as the Nationals money is needed to run them. So sponsorship is used as a way of getting the money needed. For example, in July of this year the under 15’s swimming in the National Age Group Championships swam under a sponsorship deal with Cheestrings by the ASA. Cheestrings would be allowed to advertise their product on poolside and in return the ASA would get sponsorship funds needed to run the Championships.
Many children first learn to swim at school, where swimming is part of the national curriculum in British schools at key stage two. Children are required to learn and know the following:
- Safe entries and exits, floating, sculling, regaining the standing position and breathing
- Introduction to the four recognised strokes
- Development of technique through the use of progressive practices
- Water Safety including: treading water, H.E.L.P and Huddle position
Some children also attend council run swimming lessons at local leisure centres, to learn to swim. When they reach around 6 years old and are able to swim one length of the pool then they have the opportunity to join a private swimming club. Where they will learn how to swim competently and competitively.
For example, Haywards Heath Swimming Club offers many activities for swimmers of all ages, and abilities, as shown below in their website.
Once swimmers have joined a club and are competing, they are certain levels a competitor can reach.
When a swimmer reaches County level, if they show potential in a certain stroke or race by doing a good time then they may be asked to attend a talent camp. Talent camps are set up by the ASA who invite possible world class performers to train for a few days, where they will be given expert attention.
These camps come in four parts as the swimmer progresses in their career.
- Active Sport, stages 2,3 and 4
- Active Sport Talent Camps, World Class Start
- Age Group District Camps, World Class Potential
- World Class Performance
At each level the swimmer will be given expert advice on aspects such as the correct training they should be doing, also there is a focus on nutrition and getting the correct balanced diet. From these programs swimmers may be selected to swim for team GB.
Crystal Palace International Sports Centre in South London is one of the National Centres of Excellence for swimming. It is also home to one of the very few 50 metre olympic swimming pools in the country.
Others are at Sheffield, Coventry, Aldershot and High Wycombe. The extreme lack of 50 metre pools and their poor condition in certain cases, i.e. Crystal Palace, makes it very difficult for swimmers to compete with their overseas rivals and reach olympic standards without going to train abroad.
The provision for male/female competitors in swimming is very similar in comparison with most sports, where it is mostly male dominated, e.g. football.
Both male and female swimmers receive similar amounts of sponsorship, funding and prestige. Making it one of the most equal sports.
Although, male/female qualifying times at events from county to national level and the olympics are different.
The Amateur Swimming Association aims to provide appropriate opportunities to all the disabled who wish to participate in swimming, in whatever capacity they choose, whether it be as athletes, coaches, teachers, officials or volunteers.
At the recent Paralympic games in Athens Great Britain’s swimming team did exceptionally well and their medal tally left them second in the pool, behind China.
Locally, Haywards Heath Swimming Club has a disabled section called Starfish. Which was founded in 1990. The aim was to give youngsters with special needs the opportunity to swim (or learn to swim) in a club setting.
As most swimmers would need the benefit of 1:1 assistance, it was decided to ask help from the other members of HHSC. Over the years, many helpers have given their time and dedication to Starfish.
Overall, the provision for this country is quite good, British Swimming is able to take young potential swimmers and provide them with knowledge of how to progress further. However, more money needs to be provided to assist swimmers to achieve world class potential by helping them helping them with costs such as travel and competition fees etc.
Locally, provision is good through the clubs but all costs must be covered by the swimmer or their family, which restricts many young swimmers today.
Greater funding by the government or sponsorship is needed to produce top swimmers for the country.
