SwimmingNational PrioritiesThe English Schools Swimming Association (ESSA) and the Amateur Swimming Association (ASA) have completed a full review of aquatics school competition and in response a competition framework has been produced. The ESSA have responsibility for competitive school swimming at international, national level and regional/divisional level. There is also a strong school water polo structure from county to national level. The ASA have a responsibility to support Competition Managers, through their regional and national structure, to increase school competition at SSP level and below. The ASA are developing their infrastructure and have now employed County Swimming Coordinators in areas of the country who will be able to provide further advice and guidance. Competition Manager Priorities: Delivery of Aqua Skills festivals at KS 2 for boys and girls. Aqua Skills includes swimming, diving (flip n fun), synchro (aqua fun) and water polo (mini polo). South Yorkshire's plan for SwimmingThere is no clear schools competition structure in South Yorkshire, with each City/local area organising their own competitions. The priority highlighted by the ASA is the development of Aqua Skills festivals across the County, which includes swimming, flip ‘n’ fun (diving), synchro and mini water polo. The CMs work with the NGB and the local clubs to develop competitive opportunities and ideal structures within their areas which allow for development at a local level and will develop school to club links which will ensure athlete development, talent identification and progression. In 2008-9, a pilot took place in Barnsley, where 23 schools entered directly to an aqua skills festival which encouraged over 200 young people who had not previously had the skills to take part in a competition. This type of pilot is in planning in other areas of South Yorkshire for 2009-10. In Sheffield, there is a clearer structure for competition as the PDM’s work with the local authority, Activity Sheffield, who run an annual swimming gala for school years 3 & 4 and years 5 & 6. The competition consists of partnership festivals at local swimming pools, leading to a City final. The competitions are inclusive and also have links to an academy where the gifted and talented children are identified and invited to attend. Ad hoc swimming festivals also take place across the school sports partnerships in the 3 other local areas although there is no progression in place from these festivals.The Aqua Splash festivals will also be used to form the playground to podium ability days for swimming, ensuring that the festivals are fully inclusive of both disabled and non-disabled young people at key stage 2. The Aqua Splash cards will be used to identify young people with disabilities who are displaying talent in the various aspects of the Aqua Splash festivals. ContactsGemma Ripley South Yorkshire Senior Swimming Coordinator – gemma.ripley@swimming.org ASA – www.britishswimming.org |
