This Week’s Hot Topic

Dual Membership

Understanding Dual Membership

Regional staff are frequently contacted by clubs and individual members with questions about Dual Membership. To help everyone make informed decisions – and to clarify what is and isn’t permitted – we’ve put together the following guidance.

What is Dual Membership?

Dual Membership simply means that an individual belongs to more than one club at the same time.  There is no limit to the number of clubs a member can join, provided they meet the eligibility requirements for each.

Why Might Someone Have Dual Membership?

People choose Dual Membership for a variety of reasons. Some of the most common include:

• Progression – A home club may not be able to offer the training hours, facilities, or performance environment needed for the next stage of an athlete’s development.
• Temporary relocation – For example, a swimmer moving away to university may join a local club while still retaining membership at their home club so they can continue training when visiting.
• Discipline specific training – An athlete may join a second club to compete or train in a discipline such as Water Polo or Artistic Swimming, which is not offered at their current Club.

Expectations for Clubs

Home Club

The core purpose of every club is to support its athletes and give them the strongest possible opportunities to grow. Clubs play a vital role in helping athletes progress through their aquatic journey, and their environment should enable each individual to reach their full potential.

However, not every club can or should offer the level of opportunity required for long‑term progression. This may be due to:

• Limited pool time
• Lack of access to land training or specialist support
• Coaching capacity or experience

This is not a criticism of the club or its coaches. Not every club is designed to operate as a performance programme. When athletes need more advanced opportunities, they may move to a larger or more specialised club.

Many athletes maintain strong friendships and a sense of belonging at their home club and often choose to remain members even after joining a performance programme elsewhere.

New Club(s)

When an athlete joins an additional club, both the club and athlete should agree, in advance on:

• What training opportunities will be available
• Any adjustments needed to support the athlete’s development
• How responsibilities will be shared or coordinated

Clear expectations from the outset help avoid misunderstandings and ensure the athlete receives consistent support.

Where an athlete trains at more than one club, regular communication between coaches is considered good practice. Coordinated planning helps manage training load, align expectations, and ensure the athlete progresses safely and effectively.

The Athlete’s Right to Choose

The Swim England Handbook (2026) makes it clear that the right to choose representation belongs to the athlete, not the club.

Key regulations include:

• Regulation 6.7 — “No club may prevent a member from belonging to or competing for another club.”
  • Athletes may belong to multiple clubs.
  • Athletes may compete for another club where permitted.
  • Clubs cannot block, restrict, or pressure an athlete regarding this choice.
  • Dual‑membership athletes must be treated equally and must not be excluded from activities on the basis of dual membership.

• Regulation 405 – A swimmer cannot be prevented from competing simply because they belong to more than one club.
• Regulation 406.3.1 – A club may only refuse a swimmer’s right to compete for them in accordance with the Regulations. Informal pressure or discretionary refusal is not permitted.
• Regulation 6.8 – Any refusal of transfer must be reasonable, provided in writing with clear reasons, and is subject to Swim England determination.
• Regulation 4.6.3.1 – Clubs cannot impose internal rules that contradict Swim England Articles or Regulations.

Together, these regulations establish a clear principle:

Representation is the swimmer’s lawful choice, and clubs must not obstruct, influence, or pressure that decision.

Competition Rules

Individual Events and Relays

Athletes and Clubs should be aware that if a competitor enters a competition under one club, they will be ineligible to enter team events such as relays with a different club.

County Championships

Athletes who belong to clubs in more than one county can only compete in one County Championship in any season.

Additionally, whichever County Championship they choose to swim in will also be the only county they are allowed to represent at the Inter‑County Competition for that year.

Regional Championships

Athletes who belong to clubs in more than one Region can only compete in one Regional Championship in any season.

Useful Documents

The following resources provide further clarity and support:

• Frequently Asked Questions on Membership
• Swim England Code of Ethics (Handbook, p.17)
• Wavepower – particularly sections on fair treatment and welfare (p.33)
• Swim England Handbook – Membership Regulations relating to Dual Membership