New model club constitution developed for unincorporated associations or members clubs

Swim England’s model club constitution for unincorporated clubs has been updated and will now become recommended for use by clubs from January 2022 onwards.

The document and accompanying club guidance outline the reasoning behind the changes, as well as some explanatory sections on topics such as rules of a club, insurance, liability and legal structures.

A working group appointed by Swim England has overseen the changes to the model which was last updated in 2018.

Changes to a club’s constitution have to be approved by the relevant Swim England region, before then being passed at a club’s annual general meeting (AGM).

Helen Weeks, Swim England club governance and standards manager, said: “It’s important that all of Swim England’s affiliated aquatics clubs have up-to-date, comprehensive and relevant constitutions in place.

“This model has been developed to ensure that an unincorporated club is fully aware of the correct standards of club governance and meets these criteria.”

There is no action needed from clubs in the immediate short-term. Regions will be in touch to assist with the implementation process.

Further work revising other governance documents to support different club structures will continue.

You can view the new model club constitution by clicking here, and the guidance document here. Please note that this model is not for clubs who are thinking of becoming, or already are, a registered charity. For those clubs please contact and follow advice from the Charity Commission.