THE ASA AND THE STRUCTURE OF COMPETITIVE SWIMMING
THE
AMATEUR SWIMMING ASSOCIATION (ASA)
Trowbridge
Swimming Club is one of 21 swimming clubs in the county of Wiltshire
and is a member of a much larger swimming community. All Clubs in the
UK are affiliated to the Amateur Swimming Association (ASA). The ASA
is the National Governing Body for Swimming, Diving, Water Polo and
Synchronised Swimming and is based at Loughborough, Leicestershire.
The
ASA organises competition throughout England and establishes the laws
of the sport for each of the above disciplines, supporting National
teams in these disciplines. It also provides a certification and education
programme for Teachers, Coaches and Officials in each Discipline, and
operates a comprehensive awards scheme.
The
ASA supports 1700 affiliated swimming clubs through a National, Regional
and County structure, communicating regularly with members through various
publications.
| COMPETITIVE
SWIMMING |
| Sprint
Awards and Club Championship |
This
may well be the first experience of competition for a young swimmer.
Trowbridge Swimming Club hold Sprint Award sessions and an Annual
Club Championship, in which all Club members can enter. The Swimming
Club also enters into competition with other clubs on a local basis
in inter-club events, and the Chief Coach will select a team from
Club members. |
| Leagues |
These
are usually one of the first introductions to team competitions.
The Chief Coach will select a team to represent the Club from members,
this selection being based on previous performances. In Wiltshire,
Trowbridge Swimming Club participates in the Winter and Summer Leagues.
In the Summer Leagues, we have an “A” Team and a “B”
Team. On a wider District level, we participate in the Western SPEEDO
League. |
| County
Events and Open (Designated) Competitions |
These
may well be the first level of competition where a swimmer enters
him or herself outside the Club environment. Entry forms have to
be completed with an entry time submitted for each swim. These events
are subject to event qualifying times, in order to control the number
of entrants and the length of the programme. These events and their
deadlines are advertised on the notice board at Trowbridge Pool. |
| District
Events |
As
with County and Open events, individual entries have to be submitted
for these competitions. Qualifying times for District Events are
more difficult than at County level. |
| National
Events |
This
is the highest level of competition entered through your Swimming
Club. Qualifying times have to be achieved. |
| National
Teams |
Swimmers
are selected into a National Squad at Junior, Youth and Senior levels.
These selections are usually based on performances at National events
or by achieving a published qualifying standard. |