Stronger Without the Scales – Swim England launches campaign to support wellbeing and positive culture in aquatics

Swim England has launched Stronger Without the Scales, a new campaign designed to strengthen understanding around the approach to weighing in aquatics and to support a positive, wellbeing‑focused culture for young people across its sports.

This campaign follows Fuel Up and Feel Great, which launched in December 2025. While the first campaign focused on energy, nutrition and wellbeing, Stronger Without the Scales focuses on education, clarity and confidence around weighing – and the role everyone plays in creating safe, supportive environments.

At the centre of the campaign is a clear message: young people should be able to enjoy, develop and progress in aquatics feeling healthy, confident, safe and supported – without weight being a focus of their sporting experience.

Health, development and progress cannot be defined by a number on a scale, and for some young people, weighing can contribute to unnecessary worry or pressure. That’s why Swim England rules don’t allow weighing within everyday aquatic activity.

By being clear about expectations and providing consistent messaging, the campaign aims to help clubs, coaches, parents and carers feel confident in supporting young people without relying on weight‑based practices.

The campaign also reinforces that every young person has a choice. In the limited circumstances where weighing may be suggested as part of a Swim England National Programme, it should only ever be approached with clear communication, appropriate expertise and consent. Young people should always feel able to ask questions, talk to someone they trust and say no if something doesn’t feel right.

Supporting positive experiences across aquatics

Swim England converted its ‘weighing aquatic athletes’ guidance into policy back in 2023, and it has been reviewed and updated as recently as 2025. Stronger Without the Scales has been developed to support everyone involved in aquatic sports and improve the understanding of how and where to report any instances that do occur, whether that be to a club Welfare Officer or the Swim England Safe Aquatics team.

For young people, the campaign reinforces that body changes during adolescence are natural and are often part of growing, training and learning to understand their bodies – and that support should never be reduced to numbers.

For parents and carers, the campaign offers reassurance that positive sporting experiences are built through trust, communication and support – and that their child’s wellbeing is always the priority.

Coaches and volunteers play a vital role in shaping the environments young people train and compete in. The campaign supports them to move away from weight‑focused approaches, keep conversations open and help create spaces where young people feel listened to, respected and supported.

By improving understanding of what is and is not appropriate practice, Stronger Without the Scales aims to build confidence across the aquatics community and encourage people to speak up when something doesn’t feel right.

Building a stronger culture

The campaign has been informed by insight from Swim England’s Values and Vision Roadshows and Listening Report, which highlighted the importance of culture, language and lived experience across the sport.

On the launch of the campaign, Swim England Chief Executive Andy Salmon said: “Stronger Without the Scales is about continuing to build a positive culture across aquatics, where young people’s wellbeing is always the priority.

“We know that the messages young people hear about their bodies, health and development can have a lasting impact. This campaign helps bring clarity and consistency, and supports everyone involved in aquatics to create environments where young people feel safe, supported and confident.

“It’s part of our ongoing commitment to learning, listening and strengthening the culture of our sports in the best interests of young people.”

Stronger Without the Scales forms part of Swim England’s ongoing work to improve education, understanding and confidence around policies designed to protect and support young people in aquatics. Click here to find out more.