swim21 Performance Environment – Swimming
This is the third module of swim21.
swim21 Performance Environment provides a benchmark for clubs coaching high level
athletes.
It is awarded to those clubs who can demonstrate that the pathways, physical
environment, coaching practices and support services are all in place for athletes to reach
the pinnacle of their aquatic sport, and that the club has historical evidence, to illustrate
athletes regularly achieve success through this performance programme.
swim21 Performance Environment will be assessed in 3 parts.



Pre-requisite/Self Assessment Criteria
Physical Environment Criteria
Coaching Programme Criteria
There is an expectation for any club looking to achieve swim21 Performance Environment
accreditation to be part of a swim21 accredited Network.
swim21 club Network
The aim of swim21 club Network, is to quality assure clubs who work collaboratively to deliver the
athlete pathway in their area. It will assist in identifying gaps in provision and opportunities
available for clubs to increase and sustain membership.
A swim21 club Network will support movement through the pathway to ensure that athletes meet
their potential and are retained in the sport. Each club in the network will be valued for their role.
The ASA view the swim21 club Network with high importance, to identify the local pathways from
grass roots through to the performance environment, therefore providing a consistent recruitment
to the performance environment club.
NB: We reserve the right to amend the criteria dependent on performance and feedback,
and will routinely review this module to ensure it is fit for purpose.
Pre-requisite/Self-Assessment Criteria
Section 1
This section will be completed in the same way that information was uploaded for swim21
Essential. I.e. for each element the club will upload a piece of evidence; an NGB
representative will then approve this evidence (subject to validity).
Element
1
Your club should submit the following as
evidence
Head Coach is qualified to a minimum of
ASA Coach/UKCC Level 3 or equivalent
Uploaded Evidence
Person(s)
Responsible
Copy of Certificate
Other relevant certification
e.g. Sports science degree
Head Coach
2
Sufficiently qualified coach (minimum L2)
is available to deliver sessions to the top
training squad during the head coaches Copy of Certificate/s
absence
3
Copy of Certificate
The head coach and any coaches
responsible for coaching disabled athletes
Head Coach
are qualified and experienced to
Exemption with approval from
appropriate standards
ASA Disability Swimming
4
Pool – Minimum of 20 hours per week
(available to the top squad)
Club Training
Schedule/Timetable
swim21
Coordinator
5
Land Training – Minimum of 3 hours per
week (available to the top squad)
Club Training
Schedule/Timetable
swim21
Coordinator
6
Training sessions to take place between
the hours of:
 Morning Training: 5.30 – 9.00am
 Evening Training: 4.00 – 7.00pm
Club Training
Schedule/Timetable
swim21
Coordinator
7
Land Training Coach qualified to the
appropriate standard for gym activity
Copy of Certificates
Coach / Land
Training Coach /
Gym Instructor
Head Coach
Physical Environment Criteria – Element 8
Section 2
The physical environment will be reviewed by a member of the Club Development team.
These are the amenities that the Performance Environment will have in place.
Requirement
Description
Swimming Pool
Lane width
Pool depth
Lane Ropes
Compatible
Programming
Water
Temperature
Air Temperature
Starting Blocks
Pace Clocks
Whiteboard
Backstroke Flags
A minimum of 2.0m (ideally 2.5m)
Must be a minimum of 1.8m (at a
point)
Anti-wave lane ropes will be
provided with markings to
designate 5m, 10m, 15m, 25m
from each end
Pool programme ensures that
other pool activity running during
training hours are compatible with
swim training sessions
Is maintained between 27 and 29
degrees Celsius
Shall be maintained at 1 degree
above water temperature
Starting blocks are readily
available for training sessions and
meet FINA specifications (FR 2.7)
2 x pace clocks working in
synchronization and are located in
a position easily visible to athletes
from the water
The club provide a fixed or
moveable whiteboard for sessions
to be written
The club provide backstroke flags
at both ends of the pool during all
sessions
Gym
Land training
Access to strength and
conditioning facility appropriate to
the programme requirements
Yes or
No
(YorN)
CDO Comments
Coaching Programme Criteria
Section 3
This section is a review of the coaching programme being delivered, and the results the head
coach is able to consistently achieve. The evidence produced in support of this section will be
analysed by a Governing Body Technical Officer.
Element
Your club should submit the following as
evidence
Club Philosophy
9
(Led by Head Coach)
10
11
Uploaded Evidence
Interview/Discussion:  Coaching Ethos
Reviewed by the
 Coaching Methods
Governing Body
Technical Officer
 How methods and
ethos will achieve the
programme’s aims
Head Coach produces and delivers a
periodised annual training and competition
1
plan and athletes compete in relevant
Annual Plan
competitions as part of the competition
Competition Calendar
plan
Coach has a track record of producing
senior international swimmers and/or
consistently placing swimmers World
Class Programmes (Podium, Podium
Potential/Development)
Person(s)
Responsible
Reviewed by the
Governing Body
Technical Officer
Event Results /
Programme Selections
NB: These measures are
against Able-Bodied (AB)
results
Head coach /
Reviewed by the
Governing Body
Technical Officer
Interview/Discussion to
determine the following:

12
Structures are in place to include disabled
athletes at standards appropriate to the
individual and club


13
Coaches understand the
disability competitive
Reviewed by
continuum
Governing Body
Coaches understand the Disability
Para-swimming pathway Technical Officer
Disabled athletes are
able to be fully included
within the club sessions
Athletes are engaged in their own record Evidence of coach/athlete
keeping and training log in a format that meetings.
can be periodically viewed/reviewed.
Agreed Target Log.
Evaluation of targets.
Reviewed by the
Governing Body
Technical Officer
Head coach and coaches are fully
supportive and committed to all aspects of Evidence of Links
Or
the World Class pathway
Letter from National Lead
Reviewed by the
Governing Body
Technical Officer
15
Club has appropriate internal or external 2
Sport Science Support Services in place
(to include);
 Land Training Expertise
2
Evidence that athletes
 Sports Nutrition
are accessing support
 Sports Medicine
services
 Physiotherapy
 Sports Psychology
 Physiology
 Lifestyle Management
 Biomechanics
Reviewed by the
Governing Body
Technical Officer
16
Club performs an annual needs analysis
for an education programme for athletes,
parents/guardians and delivers an annual Yearly Education Plan
education programme in accordance with
its outcomes
Reviewed by the
Governing Body
Technical Officer
14

17
18
Regular coaches meetings are held on a
minimum of a quarterly basis.
Club publishes criteria for progression
both internally and externally
Minutes of meetings
Dates of planned meetings
for the year
Head Coach
and coaches
Evidence of Club Pathways/ swim21
Link to Website or other
coordinator
media
Additional Element
19
The top squad, have regular access to 3
Long Course Training
1
Annual Plan
swim21
coordinator
1 -
Annual Plan - To include planned training volumes, use of testing, long and short course work,
and land training programme.
2 –
Support Services - These services may be available from local providers rather than in house.
The importance of this element is that the relationships for these services are in place and can be
evidenced. Where external providers provide these services, please identify the company or
organisation that provides these functions.
3 -
Long Course Training – Where the locality of a club deems this unachievable, the club can
receive dispensation against this element
Fina Rule 2.7 Starting Platforms
Starting platforms shall be firm and give no springing effect. The height of the platform above the
water surface shall be from 0.5 metre to 0.75 metre. The surface area shall be at least 0.5 metre x
0.5 metre and covered with non-slip material. Maximum slope shall not be more than 10°. The
starting platform may have an adjustable setting back plate. The platform shall be constructed so
as to permit the gripping of the platform by the swimmer in the forward start at the front and the
sides; it is recommended that, if the thickness of the starting platform exceeds 0.04 metre, grips of
at least 0.1 metre width on each side and 0.4 metre width in the front be cut out to 0.03 metre from
the surface of the platform. Handgrips for the forward start may be installed on the sides of the
starting platforms. Handgrips for backstroke starts shall be placed within 0.3 metre to 0.6 metre
above the water surface both horizontally and vertically. They shall be parallel to the surface of the
end wall, and must not protrude beyond the end wall. The water depth from a distance of 1.0 metre
to 6.0 metres from the end wall must be at least 1.35 metres where starting platforms are installed.
Electronic read-out boards may be installed under the blocks. Flashing is not allowed. Figures must
not move during a backstroke start.