Clubs

Swim England issues updated guidance on minimum pool depths for racing

FINA regulations which change the minimum depth of water required for swimmers to dive into a pool are to be implemented by Swim England.

Following a health and safety review, the international governing body’s guidance states the minimum depth for racing entries should be 1.35m.

From 1 September 2023, all Swim England affiliated clubs will be required to ensure that all starts and changes during relay races are into 1.35m of water.

However, having consulted with the club membership, the Swimming Leadership Group and Sports Operations Committee, Swim England has negotiated with insurers and legal department that clubs will have a ‘season’ of transition to the FINA recommendations – providing a full risk assessment has been carried out and put in place.

It is recommended that, between 1 January and 1 September 2023, no dives will be permitted from poolside into water which has a depth of less than one metre.

If the water is between one metre and 1.2 metres, a poolside dive will be permitted providing it is not from more than 0.4 metres above the surface.

Dives into depths between 1.2 metres and 1.35 metres are allowed from the poolside or a starting block, as long it is not more than 0.75 metres above the water.

Considerations clubs and operators should take not only include the water depth but also pool space, organisation and discipline, the dive itself and ensuring that participants are spaced out sufficiently and are stationary on the poolside when executing their dive.

Members are reminded that only those swimmers who have reached the standard of the Swim England Preliminary Competitive Start Award are permitted to start with a shallow racing dive from the side of the pool.

Swimmers who have not reached this standard must start in the water. For more information please click here.

Frequently asked questions about the changes to minimum depth can be viewed by clicking here.

If your query isn’t answered in the FAQs, please email it to divedepths@swimming.org.

The Swim England South East Region Awards return, recognise someone special in your club and nominate them for a Swim England South East Award in 2022.

The Awards will recognise Swim England members and will celebrate the incredible spirit of our aquatic community. The Awards will showcase individuals and groups across a number of categories. Further information can be found here.

Nominations close 31 July 2022

Tickets are now on sale for the inaugural Swim England Pathway Coach Conference 2021.

The conference will feature reflections from coaches who have represented Great Britain at key international junior events through summer 2021, a breakdown of each discipline pathway and working with parents in sport.

It takes place virtually on Sunday 19 September between 9.30am and 4.15pm and is open to coaches from all aquatic disciplines.

For more information please click here.

Swim England is to give its affiliated clubs top tips on how to become strong and sustainable organisations at a free workshop.

The recognised national governing body has partnered with Sport England’s Club Matters to host the interactive Financial Sustainability webinars on two dates – Monday 15 February and Tuesday 2 March.

Delegates attending the workshop will discover how to understand the importance of financial sustainability and the principles of good financial management.

It will also focus on different income generating models for clubs and SMART financial objectives linked to what clubs want to achieve.

For more information or to register please click here.

Swim England’s affiliated clubs and swim schools are being encouraged to apply for a new round of funding available from the Swimathon Foundation.

The registered charity, which stages the popular Swimathon events, distributed a total of £50,000 to small swimming and aquatics organisations last June in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

Now it has launched The Swimathon Foundation Covid-19 Relief Fund 2.0 – with clubs and swim schools getting the chance to apply for a grant worth between £250 and a maximum of £1,000.

The money could be used to fund a range of fixed costs, expenses or loss of revenue incurred during the coronavirus lockdowns.

Applications for the Swimathon Foundation Covid-19 Relief Fund 2.0 need to be submitted by Friday 26 February and the form can be found by clicking here.

A panel will then review those applications with successful organisations being notified by Friday 12 March.

For more information please click here.

Swim England is advising its affiliated clubs and members to carry out a full risk assessment before applying for an international permit and booking any training trips abroad.

The warning comes following the Government imposing quarantines on travellers returning from certain countries due to the coronavirus pandemic.

While Swim England has not banned international travel, the recognised national governing body is encouraging clubs and individuals to take into account all factors before considering travelling.

Rachel Bayley, Swim England Head of Operations, said: “The public health crisis associated with the coronavirus pandemic has created unprecedented challenges, including clubs and individuals travelling abroad to take advantage of training opportunities.

“With the frequently changing international travel rules and regulations emerging, we ask that clubs thoroughly risk assess any trip using Swim England guidance, along with the guidance of the visiting nation, and ensure that its members are fully aware of the risks involved, including quarantine restrictions.

Consider mandatory conditions

“All clubs and individuals travelling will need to ensure that they have the appropriate travel insurance in place and should take into account the current pandemic situation when reaching any decisions.

“Any club or individual seeking an international permit from Swim England must consider the mandatory conditions that will be required.

“These are that the permit is awarded on condition that all home and destination country law, guidance and regulations in relation to Covid-19 are complied with.

“Individuals and teams seeking these permits are responsible for their own insurance arrangements for the trip and Swim England bears no liability for the trip or activities outlined in the permit.

“The club Covid-19 lead should oversee the arrangements for the trip to ensure they are safe and appropriate and all persons travelling – or their parents for those aged under 18 – should be aware that they do so at their own risk.”

Nominations are now open for a prestigious awards ceremony which aims to ‘honour and reward’ great coaching across the country.

Nine gongs are up for grabs at the UK Coaching Awards 2020 and entries need to be submitted by noon on Thursday 10 September.

Mel Marshall, who is part of Team GB’s coaching staff for the Tokyo Olympic Games and also Adam Peaty’s coach, collected the High Performance Coach of the Year prize at the 2019 awards.

A spokesperson for UK Coaching encouraged people to submit nominations to recognise ‘all the great coaching work that had taken place in spite of the coronavirus pandemic’.

They added: “The UK Coaching Awards is a unique opportunity for the sport and physical activity industry to honour and reward the work of #GreatCoaching across all levels in the UK.

“We’d encourage anyone and everyone to make a nomination for a coach, project or organisation that you feel has changed lives and made the world a healthier and happier place.”

Categories

Awards for coaches:

• Children and Young People’s Coach of the Year
• Community Coach of the Year
• Changing Lives Award
• Talent Development Coach of the Year
• High Performance Coach of the Year
• Young Coach of the Year

Awards in support of coaches:

• Coach Developer of the Year
• Transforming Coaching Award
• Coaching for an Active Life Award

Nominations can be submitted for the work coaches have carried out between September 2019 and September 2020, with exception of the talent and high performance-related nominations which run up until March 2020.

To view the nomination guidance, judging information and enter the awards, visit UK Coaching’s website.