In response to the launch of the Swim England 2023, 10 year strategy, Access Aquatics, the region has been working to ensure that we are upholding our own vision, misson and key principles whilst supporting the objective of the national governing body.
Vision : Swimming for All
Mission: A region where clubs, athletes and volunteers from all communities can flourish through participation in aquatic sport
Key Principles:
- Creating an inclusive, supportive and safe environment for all our members is at the core of what we do.
- Ensuring good quality governance through our constitution and committees aligned with Swim England.
- Ensuring prudent and responsible investment to support the development of all aquatic disciplines throughout the Region.
- Striving to deliver opportunities for athletes of all ages, ethnicities and talent.
- Continuously developing and acknowledging the contribution of a diverse workforce that is representative of the communities it serves.
- Communicating in a timely, relevant and responsible manner.
Following the release of the listening report and news that Swim England will be updating their strategy this year we have conducted a regional stakeholder consultation day. Regional board members, county, discipline and regional sub group representatives attended an afternoon session on the 13th June 2024. The associated presentations and key findings can be viewed below;
Club survey
In February 2021 we invited every club in the Region to tell us where they wanted us to focus investment for the duration of the Strategy and to get a feel for the state of clubs as they prepare to return to the pool and to understand what clubs need and expect from the Region.
What you told us
- The number of members that clubs have lost is significant, but not catastrophic.
- If these numbers turn out to be about right, the sport is in a position to recover
- The clubs who have lost more than 50% of their members are all small clubs
Loss of officials and other volunteers:
- Even before the pandemic, clubs struggled to get sufficient officials for meets; the loss of 15-20% of our officials will exacerbate that problem as many clubs want to run meets to rebuild finances
- The loss of other volunteers means that some clubs will lack the skilled resources needed to operate effectively; that is reflected in comments about training needs and the role of the Region.
There were some significant repeated comments in open responses:
- Clubs wanted support for as they rebuild after lockdown
- Competition at all levels need to restart as soon as possible
- The costs for course and membership need to be kept as low as is practicable. Keep costs down
- Highest priority: Teachers & coaches, Officials
- Lower priority: Safe operation of clubs, Club management skills
- Swimming, Open Water, Masters; This is not surprising because it reflects the higher number of members in these disciplines, compared to the other disciplines
- Primary: Competitions, Workforce training
- Secondary: Talent development
