The document proposes a new British swimming competition structure to address issues like swimmers competing at high-level meets too early and an overemphasis on speed over technique. Key aspects of the proposal include restricting National Championships to ages 14+ by invitation only, moving County Championships to January-February, introducing short course seasons and championships, and empowering coaches to make decisions for individual athletes. The goal is to produce highly skilled swimmers by focusing on developing technique through age-appropriate competition. Buy-in is needed from Scotland and Wales on the changes.

1. ASA – Planning for Success : A NEW BRITISH SYSTEM
FOR
CONSULTATION

2. BRITISH NATIONALS WILL happen In 2015
WORLD CLASS – want it
ENGLAND – believe it
TSC – agree with it
BSCTA – agree with it
Need to get buy in from Scotland & Wales – meeting scheduled to discuss.
ASA – Planning for Success : A NEW BRITISH SYSTEM

3. Presented by Chris Bostock – Chair Sport Governing Body
Background:
1999 – Competitive Development Continuum introduced
2000 – BAGCATS – adopted by England – not by Scotland or Wales
BAGCATS has NEVER been reviewed.
Regarded as very good for 200m swimming.
50m events were intended to allow a focus on 12-15m times (starts & turns)
May 2012 the review of LTAD was completed BUT did not address competition
structure.
Tim Jones – drawn up Planning for Success A NEW BRITISH SYSTEM
ASA – Planning for Success : A NEW BRITISH SYSTEM

4. Identified a lack of technical excellence in young swimmers
Identified “Stopwatch swimming” primary driver on speed rather than
technique
Identified too many KPI’s on coaches to get young swimmers to Nationals
Intention is to introduce some changes next year with the rest coming in the
following 6-12 months
NOT WORRYING about club Open Meets.
ASA – Planning for Success : A NEW BRITISH SYSTEM

5. Create more opportunities for season long competition
Focussing on 13 – 18 year olds
Empower coaches to make appropriate choices with Individual Athletes
Provide opportunity for Home Nations & Regions to develop & flourish by
reinforcing layers between club/county/region
THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH BAGCATS and age at day of competition –
BUT World/European Juniors are age at 31/12
ASA – Planning for Success : A NEW BRITISH SYSTEM

6. Calendar Planning
Develop and perfect new skills
Implement those skills in a competitive environment through a progressive set
of events
Optimise their preparation to perform at the target events for the year
Execute their performance at any time and in any venue when required – TO
PERFECTION
REST & RECUPERATE and prepare for the next phase
Focus on producing HIGHLY SKILLED ROBUST ATHLETES
ASA – Planning for Success : A NEW BRITISH SYSTEM

7. PROBLEMS:
Swimmers competing at Nationals too early
Season finishes too early for too many swimmers
Leagues…
ASA – Planning for Success : A NEW BRITISH SYSTEM

8. PROPOSAL
BRITISH NATIONALS :
Ages 14 +
Age at 31/12
Restricted number of entries (Top 30)
Entry BY INVITATION
Qualifying window
(very close – probably ~ 2 week window)
HOME COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS :
Ages 13 +
Age at 31/12
Restricted number of entries (Top 30 – excluding those above)
Entry BY INVITATION
CANNOT SWIM IN BOTH OF THE ABOVE COMPETITIONS
ASA – Planning for Success : A NEW BRITISH SYSTEM

9. REGIONS:
Ages 12 +
Age at 31/12
OPEN MEETS / COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIPS:
Ages 11 +
Age at 31/12
Long or Short course
CLOSED INTER CLUB & JUNIOR LEAGUES:
Ages 10+
Age at – whenever you want it.
INTRA CLUB:
Ages 9+ - although accept clubs allow younger swimmers to compete as well and not bothered about that
ASA – Planning for Success : A NEW BRITISH SYSTEM

10. The ask:
MOVE COUNTIES TO SOMEWHERE IN WEEKS 2 – 9 (January – February 2015)
With age at 31/12.
NOT to change age groups for next year
NOT necessarily to drop BAGCATS next year
Desirable to move in 2015 3-line whip for 2016 (including ages)
ASA – Planning for Success : A NEW BRITISH SYSTEM

11. Introducing English/Welsh/Scottish SHORT COURSE Championships at the end
of the year
Short Course “season” to start at the end of August
Regional Short Course Championships in November
ASA – Planning for Success : A NEW BRITISH SYSTEM

12. BRITISH NATIONALS WILL happen In 2015
WORLD CLASS – want it
ENGLAND – believe it
TSC – agree with it
BSCTA – agree with it
Need to get buy in from Scotland & Wales – meeting scheduled to discuss.
ASA – Planning for Success : A NEW BRITISH SYSTEM

13. Various other ideas …
County Development Camps
Team Competitions
ASA – Planning for Success : A NEW BRITISH SYSTEM