Benefits & outcomes

The benefits of becoming a SwimMark (formerly know as Swim21) accredited club are mainly seen through the process itself. The programme enhances club management, strengthens the structures and unites the club with a philosophy and programmes that ensures the best environment is available for your swimmers.

SwimMark accreditation is the ASA’s recognised kitemark for the development of effective, ethical and sustainable affiliated clubs.

The opportunity to gain swim21 accreditation is available to all clubs, across any aquatic discipline (including Masters), regardless of size and activity delivered. SwimMark is about creating the best possible swimming experience for all and raising the quality of aquatics provision across all areas.

swim21 club also offers national recognition that clubs are providing a quality service for all members, which is recognised by Sport England i.e. all clubs gaining ASA accreditation will automatically receive Clubmark status. Clubmark is widely recognised by potential funders, schools and other partners that can assist with club growth and development.

SwimMark clubs benefits

Clubs who gain SwimMark accreditation can access:

A bursary up to £15 per candidate towards the following CPD courses; Safeguarding and Protecting Children SCUK/IoS, Coaching Disabled Performers SCUK and Equity in your Coaching/Club for All SCUK
3 Bursaries per year for teacher and coach education. ASA/UKCC Level 1 courses 50% , ASA/UKCC Level 2 courses 66%
Additional bursaries up to support 75% of ASA/UKCC Level 3 courses for candidates granted approval to complete the course
5% discount on ASA awards

On approval of the club’s swim21 accreditation, the club will receive £100, credited to their IOS online account, to be spent on the IOS site when you book CPD’s or UKCC courses.

SwimMark modules

There is a three modules system for recognising quality in aquatic clubs:-

SwimMark club Essential – is a key module which will support clubs to grow membership, develop volunteers and ensure the sustainability of activity in line with the objective of the club

SwimMark club Network– is the second of the three modules to be launched. The aim is to quality assure clubs who work collaboratively to deliver the athlete pathway in their area, and ensure that athletes meet their potential and are retained in the sport. It will assist in identifying gaps in provision and opportunities available for clubs to increase and sustain membership. Each club in the network will be valued for their role. It is agreed between accredited clubs to work towards the following objectives:

To retain and increase ASA club members
To retain and increase volunteers, teachers, coaches and officials
To raise the standards of performance across appropriate aquatic disciplines
To access swim21 club Network, your club will need to:
Identify other clubs to form a network with
Ensure all clubs in the network are ASA affiliated
Have access to the swim21 online portal
Be swim21 club Essential accredited

Find the benefits of being in a SwimMark network here.

Download the criteria for a SwimMark network here.

Read the report of the Sussex, Surrey and Kent network training day.

Find a list of clubs close to you who have SwimMark accreditation here (updated June17)

SwimMark Performance Environment – provides a benchmark for clubs coaching high level athletes across all four disciplines (Swimming, Diving, Waterpolo and Synchro). It is awarded to those clubs who can demonstrate that the pathways, physical environment, coaching practices and support services are all in place for athletes to reach the pinnacle of their aquatic sport, and that the club has historical evidence, to illustrate athletes regularly achieve success through this performance programme.

swim21 Performance will be assessed in three sections: