General Information

Joining

New members are the lifeblood of any organisation and are especially welcome. However, certain terms and conditions have to be applied to accord with rules on Health and Safety and the Amateur Swimming Association (ASA).

Juniors and Learners

The youngest age at which we take children is 5 years. However, due to the popularity of the Club, many parents and guardians place their children on the waiting list. Some have been registered as early as three years old; this is very encouraging as learning to swim is an important part of any child's development. Those wishing to join should contact the Secretary.

Experienced Swimmers

Experienced swimmers wishing to transfer from other clubs are welcome but must recognise that, if they have swum in competitions, there is a 3 month wait before they would be able to swim for Corsham ASC. These are the rules of the ASA with which we must comply. Potential members will be required to undergo a short assessment to gauge where they would best fit in.

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Coaching and Training

Aims
Initially, our aim is to teach children to swim competently. Width sessions are carried out in a friendly, yet structured, manner. Following the ASA National plan to develop water skills and stroke technique, swimmers are able to progress at their own pace.

Progression
As younger swimmers reach a suitable level, they are given the opportunity to progress to the squad system. We recognise that not all will wish to move into this side of the Club's activities but would hope that most swimmers will want to make this natural progression.

We are a competitive Club and aim to provide a structured training scheme enabling each swimmer to develop to their full potential in pursuit of their aspirations. As with other sports, to achieve means dedication and attendance as often as possible to build stroke development and skills.

At a further stage in development, swimmers can benefit from using our sessions at the Bath University 50m pool, one of the best facilities of its type in the country. Currently, the Club runs two training sessions at Bath on a Monday & Thursday evening. These sessions are proving invaluable to individual development and in recognition of this, it is planned to seek further 50m water time.

Goals
These can be many - better a personal time at one of the Club's regular time trial evenings, swim for the Club, swim at the County championships, swim at the Western Counties' Championships, swim at the National Championships etc. Each swimmer can reach their individual potential.

To achieve these objectives, coaches and teachers are encouraged to take every opportunity to maintain and improve their qualifications by attending courses run by the ASA.

Parents are strongly encouraged to become involved. All wishing/willing to assist with the sessions, please speak to any of the coaching staff. See 'Club Officials'.

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Competitions and Galas

Once swimmers have left width sessions and moved into the Club's squad system, they are encouraged to enter Galas, League and Open meets.

The Club runs two internal galas, the club championships in October/November and the sprints in June. Members of both the junior and senior squads are eligible to enter these galas which are run in accordance with ASA rules. Above all, Club galas are good fun and provide our swimmers with an opportunity try competition and gauge themselves against their fellow club mates. Trophies and medals are awarded for all age band categories.

The Club enters teams into both the Wiltshire Winter and Summer leagues organised by the County ASA. Representing the Club is an honour and members are expected to fulfil their commitments once chosen for one of the teams. It certainly makes the competition secretary's task much easier if they know they can depend upon members not to let them down at the last minute.

Throughout the year, the Club also enters swimmers into selected Open Meets which will encourage younger swimmers and those who fit in with the various grading categories. From time to time, the competition secretary will advertise these meetings on the notice board and here on the web site or even approach parents or members directly to recommend participation. There is no obligation to attend any of these Open Meets but they can assist with overall development.

For more details of galas and competitions, click on Fixtures, see the notice board or speak to the competition secretary.

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Club Welfare Statement

Corsham ASC believes that the welfare of children is everyone’s responsibility particularly when it comes to protecting children from abuse. The Club believes that it has a part to play in looking after the children with whom we are working. This is both a moral and a legal obligation. The Children Act 1989 indicates that anyone who has the care of children should “do what is reasonable in all circumstances for the purpose of safeguarding or promoting the child’s welfare.”

These child protection procedures stem from the following principles:

• The child’s welfare is the first consideration.

• All children, regardless of age, disability, gender, racial/ethnic origin, religious belief and sexual identity, have a right to be protected from abuse.

Corsham ASC will comply with the procedures and guidelines issued by the ASA “Child protection policy and procedures ”, particularly the Code of Ethics. As such, the Club requires that all coaches, teachers and poolside assistants are registered on the ASA’s child protection database which provides details of people who should not work with children because they have a conviction that could put children at risk. The Club also requires that any person who wishes to use video, zoom or close range photography to record either at a gala or training session, shall register their details with staff at the entry desk before carrying out such photography. At Club galas, a notice explaining this policy will be displayed.

Everyone, not just the Club’s officials, has a responsibility to be alert for signs of possible child abuse. If you are concerned or worried about a swimmer, you may call the Club Welfare Officer on 01249 660723 or take advice from the ASA swimline on 0808 100 4001.

The club policy on CRB checks for Coaches and Helpers can be viewed here.

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Health & Safety

The safety of all Club members is paramount, particularly younger swimmers attending width sessions. Corsham ASC takes its Health and Safety obligations very seriously and complies with:

• Safety instructions issued by the ASA
• Any relevant statutory Health & Safety requirements
• Any bye laws or other regulations relating to safety
• The conditions of any hire agreement relating to safety

Training sessions will not commence without the presence of a trained lifeguard. Children will not be allowed on the poolside without the presence of at least one Club coach or assistant. For this reason, we require that parents and guardians do not bring their children into the Springfield Centre changing rooms more than 10 minutes before the allotted training session start time. This is particularly important for younger members.

Some of the Club coaching staff have achieved recognised qualifications in life saving and first aid. We do our best to encourage all helpers and assistants to improve their skill base in order to protect the welfare of our members.

As well as safety at training sessions, the Club also recognises that it has a duty of care towards its members when travelling to and from, and competing at, galas away from the Springfield Centre. In line with guidance issued jointly by the ASA and the NSPCC, the Club will do everything possible to ensure that its members, particularly younger ones, are cared for in a safe and sensible manner. The Club gratefully acknowledges the supporting role of parents accompanying their children to galas, all of whom play a vital part in maintaining discipline and contributing to the overall safety of team members on the day.

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Social Activities

Whilst the Club majors on its swimming activities, the Social Committee is instrumental in arranging activities during the year which are available to all members and their families. The committee also assists at home galas where it provides refreshments for officials and arranges fund-boosting raffles.

For the past few years, the Club has played a major role at the Springfield Triathlon, held on the May Day bank holiday, where it provides officials and a refreshments tent. Club members donate the vast majority of sandwiches, cakes and other refreshments which means that virtually all of the income on the day is profit. Over the years, this source of revenue has been invaluable and has helped to subsidise some of the Clubs peripheral expenses, for example coach hire to galas.

The Social Committee is always looking for new ways of generating income or just the fun of providing members with something different. Past events have included a barbecue at an outdoor pool. Your support and suggestions are essential if the Committee is to maintain its success.

For more information, please look on the notice board or speak to a member of the social committee.

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