Swim England National Awards 2017 Nomination Categories and Criteria Learn to Swim Categories 1. Swim England Learn to Swim Award This is someone who shows particular promise in the pool at a young age and is achieving a high standard of swimming on the Swim England Learn to Swim Programme. We are particularly looking for young people who have overcome personal challenges to learn how to swim. All nominees must be aged 11 or under and may have gained a particular Swim England Award this year or been successful in challenges or competitions. Must currently be a participant on the Swim England Learn to Swim Programme (Pre- School, Learn to Swim or Aquatic Skills Frameworks) Must be aged 11 or under All achievements must have been accomplished in the last 12 months 2. Swim England School Swimming Charter: Primary School of the Year This award recognises a school that has taken the appropriate steps to demonstrate proactive action to improve the delivery of their curriculum swimming and water safety. This school will be signed up to the Swim England School Swimming Charter and be able to demonstrate good practice in their aquatic delivery. Must be signed up to the School Swimming Charter Must be able to demonstrate an improvement in KS2 attainment over the past 12 months Must be able to demonstrate examples of delivering high quality school swimming Can demonstrate the up-skilling of swimming deliverers in schools Have a reward and recognition programme in place Ideally demonstrates appropriate competitive opportunities Evidence of innovative ways of delivering swimming in schools 3. Swim England Swim School Member of the Year This award is for a Swim England Swim School Member. Swim England Swim School membership has been specifically designed to help and support swim schools of all sizes. It is open to all qualified aquatics teachers who have set up and are running their own independent swim schools. Nominated Swim England Swim Schools should be fully paid up members during 2017. The successful swim school will provide an excellent service to all of its members, ensures the development of its swimmers and staff, and continually strives to achieve high standards. Must be an a Swim England Swim School Member (2017)
Must be delivering lessons using the Swim England Learn to Swim Programme (Pre- School, Learn to Swim or Aquatic Skills frameworks) Must offer Swim England Awards Provide evidence of innovative ways of delivering Learn to Swim sessions Provide evidence of continual professional development of staff Swimming achievements must have been accomplished in the last 12 months Please note: The shortlisted Swim Schools will receive a visit from a Swim England Assessor as part of the judging process. 4. Swim England National Learn to Swim Provider This award is aimed at National Learn to Swim lesson providers or large swim schools delivering at more than one site. We are looking for Learn to Swim providers that offer excellent services to all pupils across all sites. Criteria Must deliver lessons along the Swim England Learn to Swim Programme (Pre-School, Learn to Swim or Aquatic Skills frameworks) Must offer Swim England Awards Provide evidence of innovative ways of delivering Learn to Swim sessions Provide evidence of continual professional development of staff Swimming achievements must have been accomplished in the last 12 months Please note: The shortlisted Lesson providers will receive a visit from a Swim England Assessor as part of the judging process. Participation Categories 5. Swim England Achievement Award: Youth Participant This award is for an individual who has accomplished a notable aquatics achievement early in life. This individual has completed either a personal or structured aquatic challenge in the last 12 months, whether to raise money for charity or for their own enjoyment. Nominees must be 25 or under and can be involved in any form of aquatic activity. All achievements must have been accomplished in the last 12 months Must be aged 25 or under Must not be part of England Programmes or a British Swimming Performance Programme Please note: If you are aged 11 and under and part of the Learn to Swim pathway, please nominate in the Swim England Learn to Swim Award category nominations received in this category who meet this criteria will not be judged within Swim England Achievement Award Youth and will be moved across. 6. Swim England Achievement Award: Senior Participant
This award is for an individual who has accomplished a notable aquatics achievement in later life. This individual has completed either a personal or structured aquatic challenge in the last 12 months, whether to raise money for charity or for their own enjoyment. Nominees must be 26 or over and can be involved in any form of aquatic activity. All achievements must have been accomplished in the last 12 months Must be aged 26 or over 7. Swim England Achievement Award: Disabled Participant This award is for an individual who has overcome a disability or impairment, and is progressing in their chosen aquatic discipline, achieving high standards in the pool throughout the year. They may have gained a particular award this year, or been successful in competitions or a personal challenge. All achievements must have been accomplished in the last 12 months Provider Categories 8. Swim England Facility Operator of the Year This prestigious award recognises Facility Operators who have demonstrated continued commitment to improving their aquatic programmes over the past 12 months. Successful providers will demonstrate creative use of innovation, while ensuring community engagement, inclusivity and driving participation is high on the agenda. These operators, in the panel s judgement, will be endeavouring to achieve the best possible development of its aquatic offer for the benefit of the sport. This award category will have two strands. Nominations will be separated into those operators with 0-22 wet sites and operators with 23+wet sites. The following criteria should be reviewed for both. i) Participation Evidence of strategic growth plans to increase participation Examples of specific campaigns that drive increased participation o Increasing the number of new swimmers in the centre o Strengthening the customer journey for existing members Evidence of improving the consumer journey from home to the pool across the Three Frontiers (through marketing, environment/customer service and pool programming) Evidence of operating an inclusive programme of aquatic activity regardless of age, background or ability, and demonstrating improvements to accessibility for underrepresented demographic groups Evidence that pool programming is clearly marketed in a consumer-friendly manner and is relevant to the local community audiences they serve Demonstrate impact in small community groups by encouraging previously inactive people to engage in swimming for the first time, and supporting these people to build skills and confidence to become regular swimmers ii) Learn to Swim Programme
Evidence of running a high quality learn to swim scheme that follows the Swim England Learn to Swim Programme: o Evidence of Swim England Learn to Swim Programme o Evidence of recommended Teacher/Swimmer ratios o Evidence of using tools and technology to make the Learn to Swim Programme more efficient and effective o Evidence of actively encouraging retention of swimmers between stages, especially beyond Stage 4 o Evidence of provision, opportunities, reward and recognition to Primary Schools (and if possible to Secondary Schools as well) o Evidence of regular communication of the philosophy of the Learn to Swim Programmes and the swimmer pathway to teachers, parents and pupils alike Evidence of Water Safety programme iii) Opportunities for swimmers Evidence of a commitment to provide Learn to Swim opportunities from pre-school through to masters/participation swimming (e.g. through links with swimming clubs). Evidence of opportunities for school pupils to participate in out of school aquatic activities Evidence of successful integration such as talent ID, taster sessions and transition plans Evidence of building strong pathways from Learn to Swim to Clubs to Talent, towards regular participation and the impact of these stronger pathways in retaining customers/members (e.g. through Aquatic Youth Clubs or Lifesaving) iv) Talent Development, Learn to Swim beyond Stage 7 Evidence of a wide range of disciplines from Learn to Swim Stages 8, 9 and 10 Evidence of pool time to support talent development. Coach development support beyond level 2 Evidence of links with local swim21/swimmark clubs and networks provision for young athletes to progress within their chosen discipline Evidence of how effectively programmes work alongside and link with Long Term Athlete Development criteria Evidence of school club links pathway v) Aquatic Workforce Education and Quality Assurance Evidence of aquatic workforce development plans that demonstrate impact on the quality of customer service provided by one or more of the following: o Learn to Swim (Children) o Learn to Swim (Adults) o Customer Service training (front of house, lifeguard, poolside support/activators) Evidence of completing and working from a training needs analysis Evidence of CPD or continuous development opportunities for teachers and coaches. vi) Innovation Demonstrate the positive impact of a new innovation which has contributed or worked towards improving any area of the customer journey in one or more of the Three Frontiers.
9. Swim England Club of the Year This award recognises a non-swim England funded club that shows a commitment and passion for aquatics by providing a quality and enjoyable experience to their members, through developing innovative ways to grow and improve the club. This club must deliver Swim England programmes and initiatives. Ideally this club will either be part of an aquatic networks, a club network, or be able to demonstrate strong local partnerships with other clubs, pool operators, swim schools etc. Must be swim21/swimmark essential accredited Must be able to demonstrate strong local partnerships (e.g. local aquatic network, club network, strong partnerships with pool operators etc.) The Club will also excel in one or more of the following areas; Have demonstrated innovation to grow membership Excelled in either volunteer recruitment or volunteer development Retention of young persons (members) by offering workforce opportunities (e.g keeping young people in the sport even if changing from category 2 to 3 membership) Please note: Clubs should nominate in either Club of the Year, or Performance Club of the year as opposed to both categories. 10. Swim England Performance Club of the Year This award recognises the excellence shown in nurturing and producing high performance aquatic athletes. This will be through excellent governance, excellent coaching and guidance for athletes with the club producing excellent results at regional, national and international level with club representation on England Programmes. Must be swim21/swimmark essential accredited Achieved or actively working towards swim21/swimmark performance Have a track record in producing high level athletes (national qualifiers and above) Plus one or more of the following: Innovation in approach Take strong leadership in nurturing the local athlete pathway Collaboration with other local clubs Excellent coach development opportunities with the head coach actively supporting regional or county activities and performing within the England Programmes pathway Strong sustainability plan that demonstrates high level athletes will continue to be developed year on year Please note: Clubs should nominate in either Club of the Year, or Performance Club of the year as opposed to both categories. Workforce Categories
11. Swim England Young Volunteer of the Year This award recognises a Swim England volunteer who, at a young age, is already making an impact within the world of aquatics. This could be within a club, event or community environment. Must be a Swim England member Must be aged 25 or under Must not be paid Achievements must have been within the last 12 months 12. Swim England Volunteer of the Year This award recognises a Swim England volunteer whose contribution is seen as invaluable and their efforts are instrumental in the work behind the scenes. This could be within a club, event or community environment. Must be a Swim England member Must be aged 26 or over Must not be paid Achievements must have been within the last 12 months 13. Swim England Teacher of the Year This award recognises a teacher who provides quality lessons. They are motivated to improve their pupil s standards and go the extra mile to ensure they deliver the best quality learning experience for their pupils. Must be an ASA (now Swim England) qualified swim teacher and continued to seek ongoing personal development. Must be delivering the Swim England Learn to Swim Programme. Must be delivering a fun and dynamic approach to learn to swim. Provided support and mentoring to other swimming teachers All achievements must have been accomplished in the last 12 months 14. Swim England Coach of the Year This award recognises a Swim England coach who has made an outstanding commitment to coaching within the sport and has supported athletes to achieve their personal best. This coach should help to mentor and support other coaches, aim to increase participation within the sport, whilst being able to demonstrate improved performance of individuals or teams. Must be an ASA (now Swim England) qualified coach Must be a Swim England member All achievements must have been accomplished in the last 12 months Please note: We would recommend that if you are nominating an unpaid coach, that you also consider nominating them for Young Volunteer of the Year/Volunteer of the Year.
15. Swim England Services to Aquatics Awarded to an individual who regularly goes above and beyond within aquatics and without whom the sport could not continue to run. They must have contributed towards the development and participation of aquatics at a local, regional or national level and has promoted the sport to all. This individual could be in a paid or voluntary position. Achievements can span over a number of years and are not capped at 12 months. 16. The David Sparkes OBE Innovation Award This award recognises and celebrates innovation throughout the aquatics industry, from pool design to methods of training, energy saving, Learn to Swim, new technology or increases in aquatic participation. This award is open to anyone, including groups, clubs, counties, regions or companies and nominees do not have to be a member of Swim England. The innovation simply has to be new and proven to have made a real difference in creating a happier, healthier, more successful nation through swimming. The winner will receive a cheque for 1,000. Please note: The panel consists of three individuals to assess the winner, however the panel reserves the right to co-opt additional specialist help if required The innovation must be proven to deliver its aims and not just be an idea Independent verification will add weight to the submissions The innovation must have been implemented within the three years prior to the date of submission If the submissions received are judged by the panel not to have reached the standard for an award, then no award will be given that year For more information or for any category queries, please contact nationalawards@swimming.org.