To celebrate the launch of volunteers week, Swim England has today launched the Swim England National Awards which are a great opportunity to celebrate all the individual achievements and team successes of the past year.

This year’s event will take place on 10^th November at The Great Hall at the University of Birmingham. It will be the Second National Awards using the Swim England and the categories have been modified and updated.

The awards recognise all those involved in our sports, including volunteers, athletes and coaches. This year we have a wide variety of categories which include a Club of the Year and Club Network of the Year awards. Please see below the criteria for each award.

Swim England Young Volunteer of the Year

This award recognises a Swim England volunteer who, at a young age, is already making an impact within the world of aquatics. This could be within a club, event or community environment.

Criteria:

• Must be a Swim England member
• Must be active in a club setting on a regular basis
• Volunteering must encompass more that coaching
• Can be an event volunteer at county, regional or national level
• Must be aged 17 years old or under
• Must not be paid
• Achievements must have been made within the last 12 months

Swim England Volunteer of the Year

This award recognises a Swim England volunteer whose contribution is seen as invaluable and their efforts are instrumental in the work behind the scenes. This could be within a club or event environment.

Criteria:

• Must be a Swim England member
• Must be active in a club or event setting on a regular basis
• Volunteering must encompass more than coaching
• Must be aged 18-years-old or over
• Must not be paid
• Achievements must have been made in the last 12 months

Swim England Club of the Year

This award recognises a Swim England affiliated club that shows a commitment and passion for aquatics by providing a quality and enjoyable experience to their members. This club must deliver Swim England programmes and initiatives and show they are developing innovative ways to grow and improve the club. Ideally this club will either be part of an aquatic network, a club network, or be able to demonstrate strong local partnerships with other clubs, pool operators, swim schools etc.

Criteria:

• Must be SwimMark Essential accredited
• Must be able to demonstrate strong local partnerships (e.g. local aquatic network, club network, strong partnerships with pool operators)
• Must be able to show they are excelling in one or more of the following areas:
• Have demonstrated innovation to grow membership
• Excelled in either volunteer recruitment or volunteer development
• Increased retention of young persons (members) by offering workforce opportunities (i.e. keeping young people in the sport by changing membership from category 2 to category 3)

Swim England Award for Club Network of the Year

This award recognises the collaborative working between a number of clubs through a Club Network.

Criteria:

• All clubs in the Network must be SwimMark Essential accredited
• Must have a track record of consistent collaborative working to maximize club development
• Have demonstrated innovation to grow membership across the Club Network
• Excelled in either volunteer recruitment or volunteer development
• Increased retention of young persons (members) by offering workforce opportunities (i.e. keeping young people in the sport by changing membership from category 2 to category 3)

Swim England Coach of the Year

​This award recognises a Swim England coach who has made an outstanding commitment to coaching within the sport and has supported athletes to achieve their personal best. This coach should help to mentor and support other coaches and aim to increase participation within the sport whilst being able to demonstrate improved performance of individuals or teams. This individual could be in a paid or voluntary position.

Criteria:

• Must be a Swim England qualified coach
• Must be coaching at a Swim England affiliated club
• Must be a Swim England member
• All achievements must have been accomplished in the last 12 months

Swim England Services to Aquatics

​Awarded to an individual who regularly goes above and beyond within aquatics and without whom the sport could not continue to run. They must have contributed towards the development and participation of aquatics at a local, regional or national level, and have promoted the sport to all. This individual could be in a paid or voluntary position.

Criteria:

• Achievements can span over a number of years and are not capped at 12 months.

Nominations are now open and close on 4th August, so please make sure you take a look at the Swim England website and submit your nominations.

Lets see if the North West can get as many people on the stage in Birmingham to celebrate what a fantastic volunteer workforce we have in the Region.