Our County ASA considers all our aquatics disciplines to be available to everyone, regardless of age, ability, gender, race, sexuality or faith. We welcome the ‘Access Aquatics’ initiative put forward by our governing body Swim England and will seek to actively promote this message across all our affiliated clubs. As a committee, we equally welcome feedback from our fellow athletes, officials and volunteers as to how to ensure our sports remain open to everyone.
Aquatics for those with disabilities or special needs
Our County ASA proactively engages with its clubs to help identify the often very specific requirements of some athletes and members across all disciplines. Our Age-Group events will where possible seek to cater for individuals or teams that meet the defined categories for disability sport as set out by our governing body and support our affiliated clubs should they require advice for ensuring their own constitutions remain open to such requirements. Where feasible, County events will look to cater for unique requirements such as Autism or additional needs with the assistance of our venue hosts.
More information about Hampshire ASA and its involvement in disability and special needs participation can be found by contacting the Disability Manager at disability@hampshireswiming.org
Race and faith
Our County ASA recognises the research carried out by Swim England as part of the Access Aquatics initiative that our sport should aim to encourage more inclusion from broader backgrounds, in particular those considered minority groups within our demographic. All disciplines under Hampshire ASA remain open to everyone, and all our clubs are committed to ensuring as many people as possible engage with our sports irrespective of background.
More information about Swim England and its guide and support for inclusivity in our sport can be found online: (https://www.swimming.org/swimengland/inclusion/)
Gender and sexuality
Aquatics sports remain open to all genders and sexual orientations in accordance with Swim England policy. Our County affiliated clubs are encouraged to proactively engage with local communities and groups to maintain a welcoming environment and contribute to the development of new talent. All clubs should commit to recruiting a Welfare Officer to provide support and advice should individuals, parents and guardians wish to raise questions.
Swim England recently updated its policies on transgender and non-binary competitors and our clubs are encouraged to review and adhere to these terms (https://www.swimming.org/swimengland/transgender-competition-policy-update/)
As part of the broader British Swimming initiative, Pride in the Water (https://www.britishswimming.org/members-resources/prideinwater/), our County ASA welcomes the support offered by governing bodies and is committed to providing all necessary information to our athletes, coaches, support staff and volunteers.
Our Committee
As with all County ASA operations, our Committee is made up of volunteers. As a result, we are always looking for increased support from all our affiliated clubs to help ensure all procedures and general operations run as smoothly as possible, thus making our sport as fun and engaging as possible for our members. The is no barrier to anyone from any of our clubs wishing to support the County ASA in this mission, and all are actively encouraged to contact the Hampshire ASA should they be keen to get involved.
At present, we are seeking support in the following roles:
- J1 and J2 Officials
- Timekeepers
If you would like to nominate yourself, or simply enquire as to how to get involved in volunteering for the County ASA in general, please contact Officials@hampshireswimming.org
Useful links
https://www.britishswimming.org/about-us/equality-and-diversity/
https://www.swimming.org/swimengland/access-aquatics-strategy-launched/
https://www.swimming.org/ios/swimming-teacher-training/
https://www.swimming.org/ios/coaching-training/