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.