What is swim21 accreditation?

“Every swimmer deserves quality teaching and coaching, whether they’re starting out in learn to swim or school swimming or progressing through the club system. I swam for many years at a club that has swim21 accreditation and that’s why I’m delighted to support the swim21 scheme.”

Joanne Jackson, bronze Olympic medalist

What is swim21 accreditation?

If your local pool has swim21 accreditation it means it is dedicated to creating the best possible swimming experience for all and to raising the quality of swimming provision across all areas.

It is more than a simple badge of honour. As a parent it is your guarantee of quality provision for your child. swim21 is a development tool that allows swimmers, teachers, coaches and those responsible for developing programmes to continually improve.

It comes in three strands:

• swim21 Club Accreditation
  This section is specifically designed for all ASA clubs.
• swim21 Learn to Swim Accreditation
  This is for anyone offering a learn to swim programme who is not an ASA affiliated club, for example swim schools, leisure operators and local authorities.
• swim21 School Swimming Accreditation
  This is for organisations running a school swimming programme.

So, why should I look for a swim21 club?

Every swim21 accredited club provides high quality, safe, effective, child-friendly services for the benefit of their swimmers and non-swimming members. It’s about putting the swimmers first and ensuring young learners follow the pathway the ASA recognises for training and competition.

OK, so why should I look for a swim21 learn to swim or school swimming programme?

Every swim21 accredited programme is offering the best way to learn how to swim. Specifically it’s about ensuring the programme is delivering quality lessons based on the National Plan for Teaching Swimming (NPTS) run by fully qualified teachers in a safe and appropriate environment.

I’m convinced. So, how do I know if it’s a swim21 programme?

All clubs/programmes that have achieved swim21 accreditation are allowed to use the logo on their letterheads, promotional material and website. They also receive a certificate from the ASA and window stickers that they can display at their pool in order to promote their achievement.

And what if a club isn’t swim21 accredited?

The opportunity to gain accreditation is available to all of the ASA’s clubs and those offering learn to swim or school swimming. But it is still early days. Learn to swim and school swimming accreditation began in September 2009 and so it could be that your local provider is working towards accreditation.  

Ask your club or programme if it is aware of swim21 and if it is working towards accreditation. You may even assist them on the way to achieving swim21.