Dear Dorset Clubs and Club members
As we enter a fourth weekend of national lockdown, can we please remind you that the Swim England website has a range of regularly updated information to support clubs and members during these unprecedented times. Dorset County ASA is also still working on behalf of our clubs and we have therefore compiled the following information to answer some of the questions and concerns of our swimming community.
County Management
Dorset County ASA is managed for day-to-day matters by its Executive Officers, who are Chairman Ray Honeybun, Treasurer Gerry Griffin and Secretary Di Gibbs. All other decisions normally taken by Dorset County Executive, which has now been cancelled for the foreseeable future, have become the responsibility of an Emergency Committee invoked to deal with time-sensitive and/or specific issues as appropriate.
The Emergency Committee comprises the DCASA Principal Officers (President Les Jessop and the three previously mentioned Executive Officers), together with Bob Holman and Andy Smart (both Emergency sub-committee) and Tony Mullins (Rules).
The Dorset County ASA Emergency Committee met virtually on 7 April to consider time-sensitive issues resulting from cancellation of the Dorset County Executive on 2 April 2020, and future meetings of the Emergency Committee will be held ad hoc as often as needed. Please note:
- Annual General Meeting The 2020 AGM due to be held on Thursday 4 June has been rescheduled provisionally to Thursday 1 October.
- President Until such time as an AGM and the election of post holders can take place, the current President Les Jessop will continue in the role.
- Dorset County ASA Constitution Constitutional changes compliant to Swim England August 2018 and issues relevant to the continued operation of county business, affiliation of organisations, the electoral process and the election of a President/President Elect were ratified.
Regional Forums
The SWR recently held a trial meeting for Club Chairmen and plans to hold further online meetings for both Chairmen and Coaches, details of which will be forwarded to clubs when known. Alternatively, clubs and coaches can contact  swimsouthwest@swimming.org direct.
Stronger Affiliation
The Stronger Affiliation process is expected to progress as planned and, as far as we are aware, with no concession being made for the freeze in club activity. We have written to Swim England’s CEO for clarification (and regarding SwimMark accreditation) but, until any specific directive or guidance is issued, clubs are recommended to continue to work towards ensuring the necessary documentation is in place to support Stronger Affiliation requirements.
The deadline for submissions for clubs that are not SwimMark accredited is 1 December 2020, and the SWR has set a deadline of 16 November to be able to check those submissions before the final date. The penalty for non-submission is suspension. Clubs can view the full guidelines for Stronger Affiliation at www.swimming.org/swimengland/stronger-affiliation-process.
Main issues to address for Stronger Affiliation are club constitutions, Safeguarding and Time to Listen. Please remember that the Teachers & Coaches Register MUST be completed and those listed be DBS checked.
Club Constitutions
Clubs constitutions MUST now be compliant to the Swim England August 2018 Model Constitution, which can be viewed at www.swimming.org/swimengland/becoming-a-members-club. Most, but not all, Dorset Clubs now fulfil that requirement, but for advice or to submit an updated constitution please contact Di Gibbs dorsetasa@gmail.com.
SwimMark accreditation
No concession to the lockdown has yet been made for the SwimMark accreditation process, therefore clubs requiring an annual health check should progress those submissions as normal. Penalty for missing the annual health check deadline is loss of accreditation (ie, having to start again for reaccreditation).
SafeguardingÂ
The full face-to-face Safeguarding Course has been replaced by UK Coaching with a virtual classroom style workshop, and the SWR has already organised several which have proved popular. The course is FOC and the booking form can be accessed at  www.swimwest.org.uk/news/article/regional-safeguarding-courses.  Note that those who book but don’t attend will be fined £20! Additional dates are due to be added to the programme. Those who have already done a full Safeguarding Course but need to renew can do so online at www.ukcoaching.org/courses/learn-at-home/sgp
Time to Listen
The SWR has scheduled a Time to Listen course for 13 June 2020 but, as this course usually cannot be taken online, it is uncertain whether it can go ahead. However, provided your club welfare officer has attended an approved Safeguarding course, allowance will be made for 12 months to attend a TTL course. Any club welfare officer who requires a TTL course should contact Jackie Hilleard jackiehilleard@gmail.com.
England Programmes County PathwayÂ
Following Swim England guidance, the first two County Pathway camps (19 April and 28 June) have been cancelled and it is hoped that we can go ahead with the camp planned for 20 September 2020. Consideration will be given to rescheduling the additional two camps later in the year or even into 2021, rather than cancellation so that this year’s 11-year age group does not miss out on the programme altogether.
County CompetitionsÂ
All county events have been put on hold up to 1 September 2020. Swim England guidelines will determine when our competition programme can recommence, but consideration will be given to rescheduling as many cancelled county events as possible. Those events affected are the Dorset Novice Swimming League R3, Dorset Graded Meet, Dorset Clubs Relay Gala, and Dorset Synchronised Swimming Championships. The 2020 Dorset Development Competition is scheduled for 3-4 October, but this event may have to be moved later in the calendar.
Licensing of events
Depending on when clubs and counties can reconvene, licensing guidelines may be reviewed by the national body to prevent congestion in the competition calendar. Precise details are not known at present but, if issued by our RLO, the DCASA Emergency Committee will review agreed dates and in-county licensed events in line with those guidelines and to ensure that all clubs can offer their swimmers the opportunity to achieve Consideration Times for the 2021 County Championships in a way that best suits that club and its finances.
SupportÂ
It has been inspiring to see how clubs, coaches and swimmers are keeping in touch to motivate each other and keep fit. Whether it has been group baking or burpees, these imaginative ideas are playing an important role in supporting our extended swimming family. We are still working on behalf of our clubs, here to support you whenever we can, and can be contacted either through the Dorset County ASA website or at dorsetasa@gmail.com. We cannot guarantee to have a solution to every problem but will do our absolute best to assist.
Finally, please follow the guidelines – stay home and stay safe. We look forward to seeing you all again as soon as possible.
With best wishes