Swim 21 is the ASA's Club Development Programme, aimed at 'providing appropriate opportunities for swimmers, in order that they will attain their full potential'. Swim 21 is, therefore, all about the needs of swimmers. The programme is structured around four levels, all equally important: Teaching, Skill Development, Competitive and Performance. Each level contains criteria that a Club is required to meet in order to be accredited.

Bracknell & Wokingham Swimming Club was one of twenty clubs nationwide chosen to take part in the piloting of the ASA's Swim 21 Accreditation Programme. This effectively means that, having initially carried out and submitted an extensive audit on specific areas (concerned with swimmers development, teacher/coach education and club administration) the Club has now started to implement some of the action points that resulted from the audit, along the guidelines of the programme and with the full support of the ASA's Regional Development Officer.

Playing a proactive role will also mean gaining help from the Sport England's Active Sports programme, funded by the Lottery Sports Fund. One of Active Sports' main aims is the identification of ability and potential in young people and, by providing the opportunities as well as granting aid to Local Authorities they help to develop sound sports programmes for our youngsters.

In May 2003 we achieved a Gold Award for the Competitive Development level. In May 2007 we were one of the first clubs in the country to achieve Swim 21 accreditation in all four disciplines: Competitive Development, Skill Development, Teaching and Performance. You can also view our scores and letter of accreditation from the ASA.

Swim 21 is an ongoing, all-encompassing process: it can be used to access resources to work within a National framework, provides closer links with Local Authorities and the ASA and, equally, it involves all members of the club, from the Chief Coach right down to parent helpers.

There is no doubt that Swim 21 is one of the ASA's most significant national programmes, "the outcome of which will be critical in shaping the future direction of club development in swimming". Bracknell and Wokingham Swimming Club are proud of being abreast of future changes in the discipline.

If you are interested in this project and would like to get involved on behalf of Bracknell and Wokingham S.C. swimmers, or simply to know more, please contact our Swim 21 co-ordinator: swim21@bwsc.org.uk.