Club Swimming in Scotland Fact Fiction Future Sharon MacDonald Director of Development
Scottish Swimming Membership • • • • •
157 clubs 15,000 swimmers 3400 volunteers 1677 teachers/coaches 867 technical officials
Scottish Swimming Membership
Scottish Swimming Membership
Comparison with other SGBs
2011-12
2012-13
2013-14
Swimming
19,338
20,261
21,000
Athletics
8,807
9,608
10,507
Cycling
6,489
6,723
8,090
Gymnastics
12,830
14,474
16,624
Club Swimming Survey • • • • • • • • • • •
97% competitive swimming Structured squad programmes 47% have a waiting list Majority have capacity to grow Key challenges – lack of pool time & qualified coaches Lots of young people involved Retention issue Committed and dedicated volunteers Committed and dedicated coaches Well trained technical officials Good competition structure
Club Swimming in Scotland Fiction
Observations/Feedback/Research
• Fun – where has the fun gone? • Are our squads structures effective? • Are we providing quality coaching environments? • Competitions
Reasons for dropping out of swimming: • 48% Multiple training sessions too much of a commitment • 48% chose to do another activity • 45% didn’t enjoy it anymore, it had become boring • 42% training wasn’t flexible with school schedule • 37% didn’t feel they were progressing • 27% none of their friends were involved in swimming
Influences to remain in swimming: • • • • •
34% Better social atmosphere 32% Less pressure to succeed 27% Better standard of coaching 25% less training 23% Increased opportunities to compete
They swim because • Enjoyment • Keeps them fit and healthy • Like the social and friendship “Keep the maybe not so great swimmers still involved and don’t push them to one side because of their lack of skill.”
•Are our squad structures effective? •Are our clubs quality coaching environments?
Competitions • Length of time • Cost • Swimmers competing in appropriate events
Club Swimming in Scotland The Future
The Future • • • • •
The role of the club Recreational and competitive swimmer Coach Support Competition Growth Mindset culture
Thank You