– Introducing a new hourly Swimming Training Programme specifically for Beginners aged 8-12 year olds, plus supporting Coaching Training
This project set out to strengthen the long-term sustainability of Duns Swimming Club by A) increasing swimmer participation numbers once young people leave swimming lessons, and B) developing coaching skills from within the local community. It supports children and young people from Duns and surrounding rural areas by providing accessible, high-quality swim training opportunities, clear progression routes, and leadership development through coaching. Working with Duns Swimming Pool, and closely with the other Borders swimming clubs to share knowledge, the project helps protect an important rural community asset at a time when access to affordable sport is increasingly limited.
During this period of funding support the project has provided the following:
- A structured pathway has been introduced, supporting young swimmers to begin with 2 hours of training per week with possible progression towards full squad participation.
- We’ve had 18 new swimmers (aged 8 to 12) trial with the club. Of those 16 have now joined the club, while another other was referred to swimming lessons for some further support before progressing to the club. One of the girls who began has already increased training hours from 2 hours to full time hours and taken part in her first competition, plus another boy has taken part in his first competition.
- Recruitment of trial swimmers has been through the Duns cluster swim gala we held, as well as referrals from Duns Swimming Pool, and through our own marketing efforts including a new Facebook campaign “Power Up with Duns ASC” for the new programme offer, and leaflets distributed to pool lesson swimmers.
- We have also had support from Clubsport Berwickshire and from a media professional to run a high profile recruitment drive to the club as we are facing serious financial insecurity through lower numbers and pool fee hire costs. This has attracted attention to the club very positively (see pic attached of a visit from John Lamont) and featured some club alumni such as Euan Dale (please see article here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cvg4n1d3mnlo).
- We have also sought out and gained local sponsors for reducing cost barriers for new swimmers, and several local businesses have sponsored 3 month memberships for our new young swimmers, including Farne Salmon, Fleming Homes, and Gary Ormiston Garden Designs. Please see attached pic of sponsored swimmers.
- Our Head Coach Morag has undergone in-depth training, over several months, and is now fully qualified with her Scottish Swimming Coaching Qualification. She has also been supported by Head Coach Steve from Gala ASC at regular sessions.
- Two of our older swimmers developed their skills through assisting the coach from poolside in sessions, and at competitions, supporting the younger swimmers.
- We undertook and passed the Scottish Swimming Aquamark Level 1 accreditation, demonstrating the club meets the criteria of working towards being “strong, sustainable, and inclusive to help grow our sport” (please see attached image)
