The following statement has been issued by British Swimming regarding the forthcoming 2021 British Swimming Championships.
British Swimming has unveiled a number of changes to its flagship annual swimming meet, following the unveiling of the UK Government’s roadmap on Monday 22 February.
Due to the ongoing COVID restrictions, continued uncertainty around the exact timetable of easing of lockdown, and in recognition that relatively few swimmers are back in training, the meet has been scaled back, with the ultimate focus being senior selections for international competition later this year.
The meet will now be reduced in length by one day, running from Wednesday 14 to Sunday 18 April.
The Region is delighted to hear that swimming pools may re-open by the middle of April. This is much earlier in the roadmap out of lock-down than we had feared and provides hope for clubs and athletes.
Unfortunately, because of the the delayed return and the time available for swimmers to prepare, the Regional Swimming Group and Coaches Panel have concluded that it will not be possible to hold the 2021 Long Course Region Swimming Championships.
We know how disappointing this will be to so many athletes, coaches and parents but it would be unfair to hold a competition where swimmers had not had the opportunity to properly prepare.
We are confident that our Winter Competition will be able go ahead in November.
Swim England South East Region is collecting information about the likely impact of the COVID-19 lockdowns on the membership of clubs in the Region. This will help us plan how we can best support clubs as and when they are able to return to pools and resume competition.
All responses are confidential. We will make public a summary of the feedback, but will not make public any individual responses. We will make available an analysis of the data by County to County Associations.
We apologise if this repeats information you have previously submitted to Swim England, but anticipate that completing the survey will only take between 5 and 10 minutes.
Please let us have your response as soon as possible; this survey will close on 28th February.
The South East Region Water Polo Coaches have been working hard over the past months on developing official attendance criteria/guidelines for Regional Water Polo training. This will come into effect as soon as regional training can safely recommence. We are pleased to be able to publish the full criteria now which can be read fully here (South East Region Water Polo training attendance criteria)
To support this new document and Junior Water Polo Athletes in the South East Region during this very difficult time we are also running the following virtual training opportunities
Online Session 1 – South East Training criteria information session
Description – Introduction and Q and A session regarding the new South East Training criteria information session. For coaches that attend this, we would also like to invite you to a Regional training session once they have restarted.
Invited – South East coaches and club volunteers
Date – Saturday 13th February 2020
Time – 19:30 – Start
Length – 30 minutes
Online Session 2 – Introduction to South East coaches
Description – Introduction to the South East coaches and outline of the training plan/expectations for players. It is also an opportunity for parents or athletes to ask any questions of the regional coaches
Invited – All players and parents that are interested in South East Regional Training.
Date – Saturday 13th March 2020
Time – 19:30 – Start
Length – 30 minutes
Please use the booking form below to book onto the Zoom Sessions, Zoom details will be sent out 24 hours before
The regional coaches will soon be in contact with members of their junior regional squads to offer them the opportunity to join an online S&C fitness session.
My thanks go to both Lauren and Alastair’s teams for creating the full criteria and running these Zoom sessions. The South East Region continues to work on plans to restart regional training, whilst this is a very dynamic evolving situation, we do not expect it to resume for a number of months once swimming pools reopen.
Ben McDonald (South East Water Polo Manager) Email – [email protected]
Following the successful completion of Stronger Affiliation. It is the perfect time for clubs to go on to achieve the Full SwimMark accreditation. To assist clubs with this process we will be running two SwimMark workshops;
Thursday 17th December 7-8pm
Thursday 7th January 10-11am
If you would like to come along to learn more about the process and the benefits of SwimMark please book a space using the form below.
As Swim England launches a new #YourMembershipCounts campaign, chief executive Jane Nickerson pens an open letter to members.
It is in times of adversity that we reflect on the moments that so often quickly pass us by during our hectic lives.
It is only when we are denied the opportunity to engage in something that we take for granted do we truly realise what it means to us – and how we ache to do it once again.
It might be that split second when you’re stood on the blocks and a hush descends around the vibrant pool as the starter declares take your marks.
It could be that blink of an eye when your pin-point shot arrows towards the top corner of the water polo goal before it crashes into the net.
It may the minuscule moment when you leap off the diving board and gracefully glide through the air to the crystal clear water before executing the perfect rip entry.
It is perhaps performing a flawless artistic swimming routine and seeing the hours upon hours of practice finally pay off.
It is only in times of adversity that we unite to become stronger to take on the challenges that have faced us all.
It’s fair to say that 2020 will be forever remembered for the wrong reasons – but there are also so many positives we can take into the new year.
We were there for each other, offering much-needed help and support.
When facilities were closed during the national lockdowns, we came together as one community – one family – to fight for our pools and sports.
I might have been the public face of that campaign but I was being driven on by all 150,000 of you – and that made me determined to gain a successful resolution for us all.
We realise that a number of pools are still closed and some clubs are yet to return to the water so the fight still goes on – and it’s important we maintain our focus and unity in the coming months.
It is your continued membership that will enable us to deliver what we have missed so much over these difficult months – a return to competitions in 2021 and the return of all of you to the water.
I am so proud of our members and our clubs who live and breathe our incredible sports.
As a life member of Coventry SC and someone who uses swimming as my escape, I’ve seen and felt first-hand the challenges that all our clubs and members have faced.
We know there will be trials and tribulations ahead – but we can overcome them as one team.
As the recognised national governing body, we will continue to support our members, our clubs, our swim schools, our coaches, our teachers, our volunteers. You’re our inspiration and we aim to make you proud.
Remember, your membership counts. Every single one of you.
With Regional Training opportunities not available at the moment, Swim England are running a National Para-Swimming Pathway Engagement Day online over Zoom. The day is split into two sessions (full timetable is below).
Athletes: 9:45am – 1:00pm (Coaches are welcome to observe)
Coaches and Club Administrators 2:00pm – 4:30pm
The morning session is designed to engage with all those Para athletes across the country who are not on a National or British Talent Programme. We would also like to invite those category 2 members who have an eligible impairment including hearing impaired athletes. The morning session will include online workshops and a land-based workout with Paralympian, Dave Hill. This opportunity is FREE and should be an informative, fun day for athletes. Coaches are also welcome to attend and observe the workshops if they wish.
The afternoon session is aimed at coaches and club administrators. Again it is FREE and offers opportunities to explore areas such as the development of Para-Swimmers, as well as the pathways / development opportunities that are open to coaches. Club administrators can explore wider Para-Swimming development and how clubs can become more accessible.
*This day is not open to athletes on a National / British Para-Swimming Talent Programme*.
**All athletes under the age of 16 should be accompanied by an adult throughout.
Booking form can be found at the bottom of this page and will close on Monday 7th December
Meet the team delivering on the day:
Martin Lees – England Para-Swimming Development Manager
Martin can give you an update of opportunities available to clubs to develop their Para-Swimming offering
Carl Cooper – England Para-Swimming Talent Coach
Carl leads on athlete development and can give athletes hints and tips to developing their training and performance as well as an insight into the common traits of successful Para-Swimmers
Tom McManus – England Para-Swimming Talent Coach
Tom leads on coach development and can give coaches hints and tips to developing their programme, whilst exploring some adaptations used with Para-Swimmers
Dave Hill –England Para-Swimming Foundation S&C lead
Two time Paralympian in Swimming & Triathlon,
World & European Medallist, British Champion
Team GB’s Youngest Athlete at the Athens 2004 Paralympics.
Top 10 Finisher in the Rio-de-Janerio 2016 Paralympics
Dave now works as an Athlete Mentor, is a qualified Swimming Coach and Personal Trainer and is passionate to pass on his knowledge to the next generation. David leads on Strength & Conditioning for the National Para-Swimming Foundation programme and Regional Training, providing a wealth of experience to help develop athletes at all levels.
Timeline of the day
AM – Session Athletes (coaches are welcome and can observe)
Time
Activity Workshop
Notes
09:30 – 09:45
Log-In
Please have cameras switched on when joining the meeting and names match the application
09:45 – 10:00
Welcome
10:00 – 11:00
RMAP – workout
Athletes require appropriate clothing and a safe / clear space for physical activity. It is advised to have a water bottle available for hydration throughout.
11:00 – 11:15
Break
11:15 – 12:00
Workshop 1 ‘Introducing the Pillars of Development’
Athletes may wish to make notes during workshops but slides will be available afterwards.
12:00 – 12:40
Workshop 2
‘The importance of the process mind-set’
12:40 – 13:00
Q&A’s Summary Depart
PM Session Coaches / Club administrators
Time
Activity Workshop
Who
Notes
13:45 – 14:00
Log-In
Coaches / Administrators
Please have cameras switched on when joining the meeting and names match the application
14:00 – 14:15
Welcome
All
14:15 – 15:00
Workshop 1 – Coaching development / Pathways
Coaches
Breakout Room 1
14:15 – 15:00
Workshop 2 – Club opportunities and the wider development of Para-Swimming
Administrators
Breakout Room 2
15:00 – 15:15
Break
15:15 – 16:00
Workshop 3 – The Holistic development of a Para-Swimmer and the Pillars of Development
All
Attendees may wish to make notes during workshops but slides will be available afterwards.
Are you aged between 13 and 17 years and looking for training opportunities to volunteer within aquatics?
This new program aims to:
To engage young people in a wider range of volunteering experiences at club and event level
To provide young people with the opportunity to access high quality, accessible volunteer training which develop transferable skills
To support and embed sustainable regional development opportunities / programmes for young people in aquatics
To continue to improve the volunteer experience for young people across aquatics
This new programme is built around 3 key modules linking all disciplines together (Swimming, Diving, Water Polo, Artistic Swimming and Open Water Swimming). Each module will include an interactive online Zoom session with a number of tasks to be completed at your local club. An interactive electronic log book will help the Young Volunteers to keep track their progress throughout the programme.
Welcome – December 2020 (30 minutes – Online Workshop)
Module 1 Coaching – Delivered in January 2021 (1.5-2 hours – Online Workshop)
Module 2 Events – Delivered in March 2021 (1.5-2 hours – Online Workshop)
Module 3 Leadership – Delivered in May 2021 (1.5-2 hours – Online Workshop)
Completion of the course is expected to be at the end of June 2021 with those that have completed everything receiving an electronic certificate.
We will be running each module multiple times throughout the advertised month.
There is a small non-refundable fee of £10 which is paid at the time of booking which includes:
Access to South East Young Volunteers website
Access to Course Materials
South East T-shirt at completion of course
Further opportunities to other courses
Closing date Thursday 3rd December
Please contact Ben McDonald for further information [email protected]
We have organised another workshop designated for Covid-19 club leads. The workshop will cover current Swim England guidance and share good practice. It is also an opportunity for clubs to ask any questions they may have.
Date – Wednesday 28th October
Time – 19:30 – 20:30
Please book onto to Covid-19 lead training by using the form below
An ‘exciting new concept’ where swimmers will pit themselves against others from across the country without leaving their home pool has been officially launched by Swim England.
Level X Racing gives club swimmers the opportunity to take part in a series of time-trials using all strokes at varying distances and then submit them to Swim England rankings.
Tom Baster, the chairperson of the Swim England Swimming Leadership Group, said the initial feedback from the pilot events staged had been well received.
He said: “We know our clubs and members that are back in the water have missed taking part in galas and events due to the coronavirus pandemic.
“Level X Racing is a fun opportunity for them to practice some racing skills in the absence of those club, county, regional and national events.
“The feedback we have had so far from the test sessions has been extremely encouraging.
“Everyone who has taken part has loved the chance to test themselves against their team-mates and we hope clubs across the country will engage with this exciting new concept.”
The first phase of Level X Racing begins on 23 October with staggered submission times to enable swimmers to build up their training to the longer distance events.
A second phase of the competition will be held in the 2021 in the hope more clubs would be able to take part.
After each distance is completed, the quickest swimmers in each age group will feature in a national leaderboard that will be published across Swim England’s website and social media channels.
Swim England has confirmed it is committed to doing everything it can to enable the ‘excellent’ County Age Group Swimming Championships take place in 2021.
However, due to the ongoing coronavirus restrictions, it is highly unlikely that these events will be able to take place in their usual January/February time slot.
To that end, Swim England has announced that the normal window will be suspended until later in the year.
An alternative window will now run from late May until 18 July 2021, with a further racing opportunity opening up for counties later in the year so older swimmers sitting exams will be given the chance to participate at an appropriate time.
