Dorset County ASA

Swim England statement on return to swimming

May 19, 2020 By Dorset ASA

As you may have seen, there have been a number of recent Government announcements that impact upon our sports. On Sunday, the Government announced its Covid-19 recovery plan. As part of this, there was a relaxation around some of the restrictions on outdoor activities which impacts on open water swimming. You can find our statement in response to this here, as well as our open water swimming guidance here. On Wednesday, 13 May, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport released new guidance to enable elite sportsmen and women to return to training. This is obviously a welcome step as we look to see a return of the sports we love, especially for the athletes that are on the British Swimming elite programme.

As the authority which is able to nominate athletes to represent Great Britain, British Swimming has the responsibility of identifying athletes and performance facilities which will be permitted to return at this time. We will work collaboratively with British Swimming to understand the insight and learnings as they restart training and this will support the wider return.

We recognise that across all our sports, the vast majority of participants will not be on elite programmes. We remain totally committed to working towards a situation where our recreational, club and talent programme swimmers, divers, artistic swimmers and water polo players can once again safely enjoy the water that we’re all so desperate to return to. To that end, we are continuing to work on guidance for clubs, to be issued ahead of the reopening of swimming pools.

The Government’s Covid-19 recovery plan has said all pools will open no earlier than July, although it should be stressed there is no guarantee that they will open on that date. We will publish our guidance in advance of pools reopening.

To encourage as many people back into the water when the time is right, Swim England will also be supporting clubs by providing a communications toolkit to help engage members and a sector wide campaign to help increase confidence in returning to the water. In the meantime, we continue to provide online content and engagement to support our members.

There is a real danger that due to the impact of the Covid-19 disruption, a number of pools may not reopen even when they are allowed to do so. We are continuing to make the case to the Government about the importance of swimming pools for clubs and communities up and down the country and are pushing for financial support to help safeguard the future of these pools.

We have written to the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, and MPs from across the political spectrum – some who have tabled a number of parliamentary questions on this issue.

We will continue to fight on behalf of our members and the wider swimming family. In the meantime, stay safe and well.

Jane M Nickerson

Swim England Chief Executive

Issued 17 May 2020

Swimathon Foundation launches relief fund to support aquatics community

May 16, 2020 By Dorset ASA

Recently come to our attention is The Swimathon Foundation which has launched a Relief Fund to help the swimming and aquatics community deal with the impact and effects of Covid-19. Grants of between £250 and £1,000 are available to small swimming and aquatic organisations experiencing short-term financial hardship from the effects of the pandemic, especially where access to financial support is not otherwise available. Eligible organisations range from National Governing Body affiliated swimming clubs, aquatic clubs and swim schools to independent swimming organisations.

Swimathon President and Olympic gold medallist, Duncan Goodhew MBE, said: “I’m thrilled that we’re able to support members of the swimming community at this difficult time. Almost all swimming clubs are run by a few individuals who put in an immense amount of voluntary time to keep clubs afloat. Now that hard times have hit, they may be really struggling with all of the costs associated. These are the unsung heroes of the sport and it’s so important that we do all we can to help them get through this tough time.”

The Swimathon Foundation was founded in 1997 to bring together the swimming community and benefits of swimming whilst raising money for some of the UK’s most deserving charities.The Foundation organises ‘Swimathon’, the UK’s biggest annual recreational swimming event which takes place over one weekend at over 600 pools across the UK. Around 750,000 people have taken part since the first event in 1986, raising over £50 million for charities in the process. This year’s event has been rescheduled for 16-18 October.

Swimathon Chairman, Anthony Kendall OBE, said: “Swimathon has been raising money for good causes for 33 years, and this fund is a crucial part of its plan to give back to those in the swimming community who are struggling to make ends meet at this time.” To be eligible to apply for a grant, applicants should either be a registered or affiliated club or swim school with a National Governing Body or a small local swimming organisation that may not be a traditional swim club/school, but is working on local level to provide swimming or aquatic activity in their communities. Applicants are welcomed from all over England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland – closing date for applications is 22 May 2020.

For more information about The Swimathon Foundation and to apply for the COVID-19 Relief Fund grant, visit www.swimathonfoundation.org.

Safety advice for open water swimmers published as lockdown is eased

May 13, 2020 By Dorset ASA

Key safety advice for open water swimmers has been drawn up by Swim England, British Triathlon and the Royal Life Saving Society UK following the partial lifting of the Coronavirus lockdown restrictions. The bodies have collaborated to draw up guidance after the Government announced open water swimming would be possible from Wednesday 13 May.

The three organisations are encouraging people to take extra precautions when swimming in lakes, rivers or the sea, no matter how experienced they are. The aim is to help prevent swimmers from getting into difficulties in open water, especially as the majority of locations will not have lifeguards, and putting extra pressure on already stretched emergency services.

The Covid-19 Guidance to Open Water Swimmers is being hosted on the SH2OUT website and includes:

Information on where to swim and accredited venues
Six key steps to consider before going on an open water swim at unsupervised locations
Assessing risk due to weather conditions and water temperature
Advice on wetsuits and equipment
Course planning and the safe entry and exit of the water
Plus, recovery and nutrition.

Think of others

Jane Nickerson, Swim England Chief Executive, said: “It’s imperative that even the most seasoned of open water swimmers reads through this advice and follows it carefully. Not knowing the temperature of the water or how strong the current is could lead to swimmers struggling and in need of emergency help. That’s something we’re keen to avoid at all times but even more so in the current situation. We’re pleased to have worked so closely with British Triathlon and the Royal Life Saving Society UK on this guidance to ensure our members can enjoy the beauty of our natural surroundings safely.”

Andy Salmon, Chief Executive of British Triathlon, said: “We would encourage anyone considering open water swimming over the coming weeks to think before doing so and read our advice very carefully. During these unprecedented times, it is vital that we think of others before ourselves and make sure we neither risk the spreading of the Covid-19 virus or place unnecessary burden on emergency services. We would also urge swimmers to comply with government guidance on social distance and travel.”

Know your limitations

Royal Life Saving Society UK Chief Executive Robert Gofton said: “We are extremely concerned that people will now rush to get into open water without proceeding with caution and understanding the potential life-threatening implications. If you are not used to swimming in open water, we strongly urge you NOT to start now unless you can do so under supervision and guidance. Open water sites, including beaches, are not currently supervised. There is no one to help you if you get in trouble and emergency services may not be able to get to you in time. Please stay sensible, know your limitations, and please enjoy the water, safely.”

The RNLI has warned that there are currently no lifeguards on beaches and anyone who goes sea swimming must “understand the risks and take the necessary steps to keep themselves safe.” Meanwhile, the three organisations are also due to publish advice for venues on the safest way to operate in line with social distancing measures in the near future. They are also encouraging people to use facilities as close to where they live as possible.

This advice is for England only and aimed at individual swimmers This guidance IS NOT aimed at clubs, regardless of whether a club takes part in open water swimming activities. NO CLUB ACTIVITY SHOULD BE TAKING PLACE AT THIS TIME.

Issued 13 May 2020

Swim England to double the number of water polo players in five years

May 12, 2020 By Dorset ASA

Swim England is aiming to double the number of registered water polo players in the next five years as part of its new strategy to develop the sport. On 29 April the NGB’s Water Polo Leadership Group has published the comprehensive Swim England Water Polo Strategy 2020-2025, which details a number of targets to help the sport grow, and has been developed following months of consultations with players, officials, volunteers and sports administrators. The strategy is the vision of the Swim England Water Polo Leadership Group chairman Toby King, who is keen to boost the profile of the sport.

A total of 6,900 water polo players were registered with Swim England in 2019 but the goal is to see that number increase to 14,000 by 2025. The document details plans to enhance participation and training at every level of the sport. Swim England’s competition structure will be reviewed and there will be a drive to recruit more technical officials at all levels of the game. The strategy also includes a real impetus on coaching, with a regular coaches’ forum and opportunities to share training techniques.

Strategy to be proud of

There will also be better communication with the water polo community, which will include reports on how well performance targets are being met. Toby King said: “Despite the current challenging circumstances, I am delighted to be publishing our five-year vision for water polo. We believe we can double the number of registered players in the next few years, which should help us boost the profile of the sport. This will lead to more and better competitions, coaches and officials, as well as helping us compete on the global stage and attracting more funding.”

Swim England calls on Government to support pools at risk of closure

May 12, 2020 By Dorset ASA

Swim England is calling on the Government to help prevent hundreds of swimming pools at risk of being mothballed due to the Coronavirus lockdown. The national governing body fears potentially up to 10 per cent of the 5,000 swimming pools in England will stay shut even after restrictions are eased by the Government.

Discussions between Swim England and pool operators and owners has revealed how financial worries and the cost of bringing a pool out of lockdown may result in facilities remaining closed indefinitely. Swim England is now asking the Government to ensure that financial support is available to help pools and ensure that communities do not lose a facility, which generates significant social value. Detailed guidance and support to help pools reopen is also being developed by Swim England.

Swim England has released The Importance of Pools Post-lockdown document, which details how a 25-metre pool can generate £7.2 million social value in community savings, and save the NHS and social care system more than £1.2 million. Swim England’s Value of Swimming report, published last November, also revealed that aquatic activity helps to save the health and social care system more than £357 million pounds per year.

Before the lockdown around 14 million adults in England went swimming each year, with more than one million children learning to swim outside of school through Swim England’s Learn to Swim programmes. Swim England is, and will be, working with key partners and colleagues in the sector to set out specific guidance for each of the disciplines and activities.

Jane Nickerson, Swim England chief executive, said: “It is clear that facilities have been hit hard by the impact of Covid-19, and there is a real concern that some pools will not reopen. Whilst we understand the recent impact on the public purse, it would be a short-sighted view to not invest in swimming pools today which we know will have a bigger, long-term impact on the health and well-being of our society. That is why it is so important that pools are given the necessary support to reopen their doors for people to enjoy once more.”

She continued: “We know that swimming improves people’s physical and mental well-being, supports community cohesion and saves the NHS hundreds of millions of pounds each year. Swimming can tackle a number of the problems facing society, particularly at the moment, in a way that other sports cannot. Swimming pools generate huge amounts of social value for their local communities, with people of all ages able to enjoy them. For some, they are the only appropriate environment that enables them to be active and transform their lives. We ask that all partners, stakeholders and the Government support our commitment to reopen all pools as soon as it is safe to do so.”

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