Dorset County ASA

Olympics success to inspire the next generation

August 10, 2021 By Dorset ASA

Swim England CEO Jane Nickerson has congratulated Team GB’s aquatic athletes and hopes the success will spark inspiration in the next generation. The rearranged Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games will go down in the history books, and not only because of the year-long postponement. It was the most successful Olympic swimming campaign ever for Team GB, producing eight swimming medals, three diving medals and many outstanding performances.

Kick started by Adam Peaty becoming the first British swimmer to successfully defend an Olympic title, the GB quartet set a new world record in a sensational Mixed 4 x 100m Medley Relay while Tom Dean became a double Olympic Champion in the 200m Freestyle and Men’s 4 x 200m Freestyle events.

Duncan Scott also made GB history after winning four medals at a single Olympic Games with gold and silver in the Mens’ 4 x 200m Freestyle and Men’s 4 x 100m Medley events, and individual silvers in the 200m Freestyle and 200m Individual Medley events.

In the diving, we saw how much it meant to Tom Daley after winning his first ever Olympic gold medal alongside Matty Lee, to which he then added a bronze in his individual event. Jack Laugher also recovered from a tough year to battle his way to a well-deserved bronze.

Olympic debutants Alice Dearing and Hector Pardoe in the marathon swimming and the artistic swimming duet of Kate Shortman and Isabelle Thorpe did the nation proud with their performances, setting them on their path towards Paris, while the efforts of 16-year-old’s Jacob Whittle and Andrea Spendolini-Sirieix, fresh off the Swim England talent pathways, showed that all dreams are possible.

Jane Nickerson commented ” It’s not just about the medals though. Every single British athlete, coach, volunteer and member of the support staff are now role models for the next generation. This includes all of those involved from Learn to Swim, club level and beyond. Our athletes had to start somewhere. We also appreciate the role families and parents have played in the success of this great team. The support network, including the parental taxi service at all hours of the morning, cannot be underestimated. From everyone at Swim England, we would like to say a huge congratulations. You were all part of this Olympic success. We hope that is this success will inspire more and more to get involved with our wonderful disciplines.”

The start of the Paralympic Games is just a few weeks away – here’s hoping it will be as exciting and successful.

Swim England Talent Pathway selection policy 2021-22 released

August 4, 2021 By Dorset ASA

Swim England’s Talent Pathway Selection Policy for the 2021-22 season has now been released. Each stage of the national pathway is detailed within the guidelines and outlines how athletes are selected onto the four-stage national framework, which comprises the National Development Programme, National Event Camps, Swim England Junior Squad and Swim England Performance Squad.

The all-encompassing approach facilitates the Optimal Athlete Development Framework (OADF) and provide guidance on technical and tactical aspects of their stroke as well as nutrition, mental wellbeing, race execution and post-training recovery. Tools such as video analysis will be used to enhance the delivery of the programme’s content, which ultimately aims to holistically develop the participants as people, athletes, and performers. The coronavirus pandemic has meant athletes on the talent pathway this season have taken part in a mix of online training and poolside activity, which will continue in 2021-22.

Grant Robins, Swim England head of talent – swimming, said of the release: “This selection policy has been designed with fairness, transparency and inclusion in mind after what has been a challenging year for our athletes. The pathway will be a fun, positive experience for the athletes selected – and is it hoped that it fosters curiosity within the sport and encourages an environment of lifelong learning leading to some fantastic performance outcomes.” You can view the selection policy in full by clicking here.

Latest Covid Advice

July 24, 2021 By Dorset ASA

From 19 July most of the remaining Covid restrictions have been removed. The latest government guidance can be found here and the Swim England Covid FAQs page will be updated on an ongoing basis.

Swim England has produced some considerations built on previous Covid guidance to support organisations including pool operators, clubs and swim schools Step 4 – Best Practice Considerations. Additional documents to help event organisers in planning events have also been published for swimming Swimming Competition – Guidance for running safe events and artistic swimming Artistic Swimming competitive training and competition guidance; information for water polo to follow.

Ultimately decisions on what takes place in a pool must be agreed by the user and the operator but for further help and assistance on Covid related issues contact guidance@swimming.org.

2021 Festival of Swimming confirmed

June 6, 2021 By Dorset ASA

A Swim England Festival of Swimming is due to take place across the country this summer to offer as many youngsters as possible the opportunity to return to racing. The majority of meets will take place across the two weekends of 24-25 July and 31 July-1 August. All Swim England regions have events scheduled on one or both of those weekends, with the East region also planning a meet at the London Aquatics Centre on 7-8 August.

Grant Robins, Swim England Head of Talent – Swimming, said: “It’s great to have the confirmed dates and venues for this exciting schedule of events. The support and desire by the regions to get this over the line has been incredible. I really hope swimmers, coaches and parents immerse themselves positively in this end of season festival.”

Swim England regions are finalising programmes and will publish the entry procedures and qualification process in due course. In the South West Region, events will be held on 24-25 July at Millfield School for swimmers the Counties of Dorset, Gloucester, Somerset and Wiltshire, and also at the Plymouth Life Centre for the Counties of Devon and Cornwall. Age groups at these events will be 12/u, 13,14,15,16,17, 18 years and over. Entry details will be published on the Swim England South West Region website and social pages soon; for QTs for Dorset swimmers click here TB Festival Flyer

Licensing for competitions scheduled by Swim England

April 13, 2021 By Dorset ASA

Swim England is to begin issuing licenses for Level 4 single club competitions in time for Step 3 of the Government’s roadmap out of the coronavirus lockdown, provided the Government’s targets for the easing of restrictions have been met. Swim England has now also released Return to Competition guidance for event promoters ahead of the country moving into Step 3, which is due to take place no earlier than Monday 17 May.

Tom Baster, the chair of the Swim England Swimming Leadership Group, said: “The release of the Swim England Return to Competition guidance takes us an exciting step closer to what we’re all looking forward to – a return of competitive swimming events. We’re delighted to be at the point where we can begin issuing licenses to give clubs the opportunity to stage level four single club competitions once again. In line with the Government’s own gradual easing of restrictions, the return to competition will need to be similarly phased in its return and, with social distancing remaining in place until at least late June, it is unlikely that any galas this season will resemble galas of old….We do hope, however, that our plans will lead to the full and normal return of racing as soon as possible.”

The release of the Return to Competition guidance will be followed up with a webinar on 21 April to provide event promoters with further support and guidance and to answer any specific questions they may have when considering how to plan and stage a meet/gala. Places can be booked on the webinar by clicking here.

Licensing applications for a single club level four competition will reopen from Monday 26 April. It is hoped that licensing applications for all levels will reopen on Tuesday 1 June with meets commencing from 21 June, which is the Government’s target date for all restrictions to be lifted. In the meantime, Swim England has launched the second series of Level X Racing, which will run until 22 August, and has worked closely with British Swimming and other home nations on the proposed Summer Festival of Swimming.

PHOTO: Simon Wilkinson/SWPIX.COM – Swimming – British Swimming Championships 2012 (Olympic Selection Trials) – Aquatics Centre, Olympic Park, London, England – 06/03/12.

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