Club Swimming in Scotland: Fact Fiction Future

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