Join a club

If you enjoy swimming and want to start taking things a bit more seriously the best thing for you to do is join a club. In a club structure you can compete; try your hand at the disciplines of diving, waterpolo or synchronised swimming or even offer support outside of the pool by becoming a volunteer.

You should be able to find a club that meets your standard or age, so it does not matter if you are looking to get involved as an adult or a child.

Whether your aim is to be an Olympic Champion or to join a club to enjoy the social programme, always remember aquatics is great fun.

Finding a club

There are many types and levels of club so you should be able to find one to meet your age or level of experience. Find out about your local club via your local pool or from our list of affiliated clubs.

Find out as much as you can about the club, what it is aiming for and who runs it.
If you want to ensure you belong to a club that provides the best possible support and environment then check to see if your club has swim21 accreditation. This is our 'quality mark' for clubs in England and shows that the club is committed to helping athletes, teachers, coaches and administrators to continually improve and reach their full potential. Specifically it means:
· the club is implementing the asa’s Child Protection Policy 
· the club’s coaches/teachers and volunteers are appropriately qualified
· the club is offering suitable opportunities to encourage you or your child to achieve potential (in line with the Long Term Athlete Development)

If the club is not part of the scheme ask them why? It may be that the club needs more support with management, teaching, coaching and officiating and you could help them!

Finding a competition

Most clubs hold an annual club gala, in which all club members can enter. Swimming clubs also enter ‘inter-club events’ with other clubs in the area or compete in a league. In both cases the coach will select a team to represent the club.

County, district and regional events see swimmers enter as individuals. Entry forms have to be completed with entry/qualifying times submitted for each swim. Qualifying times at district and regional events are more difficult than at county level.

National events are the highest level of competition entered through your swimming club. Qualifying times have to be achieved.

Volunteering

If you feel that competing is not for you then why not consider giving your time and expertise to help your local club.
Swimming and the other aquatic disciplines need the skills, knowledge and commitment of volunteers to succeed and grow.  The current level of personal commitment given to swimming is immense with an estimation of over 30,000 people working at club level.

CLICK HERE to find out about volunteering.

Your regional office

We have eight regional offices. There aim is to improve the way we identify and develop talent and get more people involved in all of the disciplines. CLICK HERE to find out about your region.