| July 2007 - From May this year, Middlesbrough ASC can proudly claim that they are the first club in the country to achieve all four levels of the new Swim 21 Accreditation. The club has received confirmation that it has now been accredited by the ASA National Panel at Teaching, Skill Development, Competitive Development and Performance Level using the new assessment criteria introduced this year. The club has demonstrated to the ASA it has the infrastructure in place to take swimmers all the way from the learn-to-swim programme, onwards to developing swimming skills and into the world of competitive swimming whilst meeting the demands placed on a top club by high performance athletes. Sue Campion, Chair of MASC, said "this is a tremendous achievement which is a result of the hard work put in by all club volunteers and particularly Dave Larkman, who coordinated and produced the final submission. Swim 21 means that as a club we are both well organised and proactive in promoting swimming opportunities for swimmers at all levels. It ensures that our swimmers are coached by well trained and committed people who are determined to help them reach their potential. Further support comes from volunteers who ensure that the club is managed appropriately. As an accredited club we are able to train volunteers as officials, teachers and coaches and gain some financial support from the ASA to help us to achieve our targets". "We are also able to apply for grants and financial awards to help us continue to develop swimming and teaching opportunities. This award demonstrates to both swimmers, and their parents, that the club takes its responsibilities seriously, a fact that is reflected in the performance of all the swimmers in the club". 
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| What is Swim 21? Swim 21 is an Amateur Swimming Association accreditation scheme. Clubs have to submit evidence that they are meeting the required standard for accreditation in their approach to swimmer development, teacher/coach development, club management and partnerships with other organisations. First of all the club has to decide whether it is a teaching club, a skill development club, a competitive development club or a performance club. Most clubs fall into more than one category and separate evidence must be submitted for each category applied for. The evidence is assessed and points scored to determine whether accreditation is at silver or gold level. (Only a handful of clubs throughout the country have so far achieved gold standard). The process is on-going. Having achieved the initial accreditation the club has to continue to prove that it is maintaining or improving its standards. Otherwise accreditation will be withdrawn. |
