Club Handbook

Menu:

    
History
    
Club Aim
    
Membership
    
Payment Scheme
    
Club Night
    
Sprint Night
    
Time Trials
    
Progression
    
Parental Assistance
    
Sponsorship
    
Competition Procedure
    
Club Shop
    
Medical Conditions
    
Club Notices & Communication
    
Code of Conduct
    
Code of Ethics

A Brief History
The City of Coventry Swimming Club was formed in 1973 by an amalgamation of the city's three competitive
swimming clubs:

    
Coventry
    
Godiva Ladies
    
Three Spires

They had each been successful teaching and coaching centres in their own right prior to the amalgamation.
The teaching and development role has been continued throughout the years up to the present day with the
Friday evening Club night.
The Club Aim
The targets for the Club throughout the season are:

    
To improve our Clubs National ranking
    
To have more International success and recognition for members
    
To have more qualifiers at National & District events.
    
To win every league and relay team event
    
To increase the number of competitive opportunities for members
    
To increase the numbers of members involved in running the Programme

     

Club Membership and Registration
All members of the Coaching Programme must be members of the City of Coventry Swimming Club. Membership is
for a full year - with a sliding scale if joining part way through the year. This ensures, amongst other
things, that all individuals are covered for insurance purposes. If there are three members within the same
family, two will pay the full amount and the third will be charged at 50%.
Additionally, to enable participation in competitions, swimmers who are 9 years and over must be
registered with the sports governing body, The Amateur Swimming Association (ASA). Every swimmer registered
will receive a quarterly magazine, "Aqua Zone" and a registration card.
The current costs payable by members will be published on the Club notice board.
 


The Payment Scheme
The yearly fee is divided into eleven equal instalments, with a payment break in January, when the Annual
Subscription fee is payable.
Every member of the Training Scheme will be liable for the monthly fees which are payble by standing
order, this payment is requested by the 10th of each month. Where there are three or more children in one
family participating in the Training Scheme only the two swimmers in the highest rated groups will be required
to pay.
In general, no reductions will be made except through long-term illness or injury where considerations
will be made provided a medical certificate is obtained.
Details of setting up a standing order can be requested from the Clubs Treasure; John Hughes on swimjohnh@aol.com
CLUB NIGHT LEARN TO SWIM INFORMATION
Prior to attending club night your child's ability will have been assessed and they will have been placed
into a suitable class. Most classes start at 6.00, 6.40 or 7.20pm except at the higher levels.
As a club we are affiliated to the Amateur Swimming Association, (ASA), and as such we have an annual
membership fee plus we collect an annual registration fee for the ASA. The club membership fee for 2012
started at £31.50* in January and there are reductions for new members joining from the beginning of
April, July and October. All memberships are renewable in January of each year. The ASA fee for Learn to Swim
members is currently £12.90*. For families with three or more members the club fee for the third and
subsequent member is discounted by 50%.
The cost of the lessons is paid for by purchase of a swim ticket from the ticket office at the entrance to
the Centre. You should ask for a Junior Club ticket that currently costs £2.50*. This ticket should be
presented to the club registration table on the poolside and exchanged for another ticket that is handed to
the teacher in order to join the class.
There are ten levels of classes, all following the ASA's British Gas Learn to Swim Framework. On achieving
the relevant standards, swimmers qualify to receive the appropriate British Gas Learn to Swim Framework award
(certificate and badge - cost £2.30*) and are moved up to the next level. At level 6 and above
swimmers can be offered the opportunity to join the competitive swimming squads via the Pathways Scheme or
there are opportunities to move to the Water Polo section. Swimmers in the higher levels (levels 7+) can be
given the opportunity to take part in the 'Sprint Nights' in the competitive squad section; these normally
take place on the first Friday of each month between 6.00 and 7.00pm.
If you have any questions at all please ask the club representatives on the registration table.

 
*Correct at time of publication
Sprint Night
Sprint Night is held on the first Friday of every month, and the times are published on the web site
All eligible swimmers are encouraged to attend and take part in Sprint Night attempting all of the basic
strokes. This will help to develop a friendly competitive environment whilst recording regular updates of
performance times.
As an incentive Sprint Night Badges are awarded when achieving the times set out below:
Young Achievers Sprint Night - Standard Times
 

    

        

            

            
 
            
            

            
Bronze
            
            

            
Silver
            
            

            
Gold
            
        
        

            

            
Back
            
            
26.00
            
23.20
            
20.90
        
        

            

            
Breast
            
            
28.40
            
25.40
            
23.30
        
        

            

            
Fly
            
            
26.10
            
23.30
            
21.30
        
        

            

            
Free
            
            
23.10
            
20.50
            
18.10
        
    



Time Trials
Time Trials for all members on 200 & 400 metre distances covering all strokes will take place on a
Sunday of each month. All eligible swimmers are again encouraged to attend and take part in these events.
Results are published on the website
Progression 
Swimmers will progress through the Club Scheme after a skill assessment of the individual. This will
usually include achieving the following:

    
Gaining of BAGCAT Points for particular levels
    
Sprint Night times
    
Time Trial times
    
Stroke development - agreed standard attained
    
Competitive start award
    
Development Gala Results
    
Open Meet Results and other External Competitions

Additionally, a commitment to the Club, through training session attendance and the various competitions
is essential.
Parental Assistance
Sprint Night
Sprint Nights and Time Trials are essential events for both the Club and the swimmers but they can only
take place with the assistance of poolside helpers. Parental help is paramount for the continued success of
Sprint Night and the Sunday Time Trial.
Therefore, all parents are requested to help wherever possible, but especially with:

    
Timekeeping
    
The recording of names & times

Guidance and training can be given where necessary, but it is important to have enough helpers to allow
the event to be successful. Please make yourself available at poolside.
Remember, it is better to have too many helpers than not enough! If you are interested in helping out on
Sprint Night please see Avril Ementon on Friday nights or sign your name up on the Notice board.
Competitions
The Club takes part in many competitions and also hosts ranking events, usually at Central pool. To
maintain the high standards of organisation that the Club achieves, we constantly require assistance in a
whole variety of activities. This need not be a long-term commitment but often a willingness to help whenever
assistance is required.
In general, help is always wanted (sometimes urgently), in all aspects of the Club, whether it is with
timekeeping, the collating of information or becoming a parent representative.
Parental assistance is vital for the Club to survive.
For further info contact: Ruth Jelley on ruth.jelley@coventry-swimming.org.uk
Sponsorship
The Club is always looking to actively promote itself and swimming in general, by establishing links with
local or national companies through sponsorship 'partnerships'.
This would help to significantly reduce costs such as subscriptions, pool hire, insurance, travel
etc.
If you can help either directly or indirectly please contact your squad parent rep in the first instance
for guidance.
Competition Procedure
Advice on the swimmers diet before and during the meet can be found here
 
1) All swimmers are responsible for checking the information regarding events, which will be displayed
prominently on the notice board. The notice board is located on the first floor of Coventry Sports Centre on
the left hand side as you enter the changing rooms.

It is important to note the time of each session, the warm up and the location of the event, and for league
matches, what time the coach leaves.
2) All swimmers are generally responsible for their own transportation to and from events, except for some
league matches. They should arrive at least 15 minutes prior to the scheduled warm up time. Cards for the
event should be posted upon arrival at the pool, prior to changing.
3) Once changed the swimmers should report to the Team Manager and Coach at poolside before warming
up.
4) The warm up should be based on the strokes and distances that they will swim. It is important during
warm up to practice starts & turns, as the facilities at each pool at slightly different. Sprints may be
available in a designated sprint lane towards the end of the warm up period.
5) Items which should be taken to events include:

    
2 costumes / trunks
    
2 towels
    
2 White 'C' caps
    
T-shirt, shorts. (tracksuit)
    
Poolside shoes (flip flops)
    
2 pairs of goggles-ready adjusted

6) Before each event swimmers should report to the coaching staff for race instructions. They can then
proceed to the event marshals for further instructions. From then on it is the swimmers responsibility to
ensure that they are in the right place at the right time.
 
7) Upon completion of their event, swimmers should politely ask the timekeeper for their time and report
this immediately to the coaching staff. It can then be discussed and 'feedback' given on the race where
appropriate.
8) Any swimmer wishing to leave the team area at poolside during the session must always seek permission
from the Team manager. Even upon completion of their events they must ask permission before leaving.
9) Once permission has been given and swimmers leave the poolside they should ensure that:

i) They have collected any medals/ prizes

ii) They have all their personal belongings

iii) The area in which they were sitting is clean & tidy with any rubbish removed.
10) If a swimmer is unable to attend a competition because of illness or an emergency situation, the Team
Manager for that particular event must be contacted ASAP.
The Club Shop
Club merchandise is only available on a Friday evening at poolside (left hand side as you come out of the
changing rooms onto poolside) between 6:00pm and 7:00pm and is organised by a Club representative. This shop
contibutes towards Club Funds.
At most main competitions a shop will be available stocking the usual essential items such as goggles,
swimwear, boards and snack foods. These shops are external to the Club.

 
Medical Conditions
It is the responsibility of the parents or guardians of the swimmers to keep the City of Coventry Swimming
Club fully informed of any medical condition that may affect the swimmer. A medical form is available for
completion and is also given to swimmers when they change squads as a review. The medical form can be
downloaded here.
In particular, any swimmer that suffers from asthma is required to complete a form, which must be updated
yearly. Please contact your Coach or Parent Rep for details.
Club Notices
The Club will publish all information regarding competitions and any details relevant to the swimmers and
parents on the Club Noticeboard. The notice board is located on the first floor of Coventry Sports Centre on
the left hand side as you enter the changing rooms.

 
Similar information will be published on the online news service, found on the Club web site at www.coventry-swimming.org.uk
Code of Conduct
Please click here to download the Clubs Code of
Conduct.
Code of Ethics
Please click here to download the Clubs Code of
Ethics.

QUICK LINKS

Club Calendar

Swimming Event Entry

Club 500

Swimming Event Results