Welcome to the Club

We’re excited to have you join our team and look forward to seeing you thrive with us!
General Information

Squad Structure

Ascot Royals Swim Club offers a flexible squad structure that caters to all levels of swimmers. Athletes can fully immerse themselves in a competitive program with intensive training, or opt for a less demanding training schedule while still engaging in competitions.

Our Academy provides an entry point for swimmers as young as 6 years old, with the requirement that they can competently swim 25m of Backstroke, Breaststroke, and Front Crawl. This allows young swimmers to begin their competitive journey in a supportive environment, progressing through development stages at their own pace.

Academy Stages

"Ascot Royals Academy: Master the basics, refine your strokes, and graduate with the skills to confidently compete!"

Please note, our Academy is for swimmers aged 6 to 10. This guide outlines what our coaches look for swimmers to be able to do in each of the squad. From time to time, the Gold squad will complete test sets to determine if a swimmer is ready to move up to the Pre Competitive or Junior Development squad.

Academy Bronze
Academy Silver
Academy Gold

Development Stages

“Refine Your Skills, Embrace Competition, and Enjoy a Flexible Approach to Training.”

Swimmers in the Development Squads have the opportunity to move into the Competitive Squads if they demonstrate consistent training and progress. Any swimmer transitioning to a Competitive Squad will be expected to meet the squad's minimum standards.

Junior Development
Senior Development

Competitive Stages

“Developing Skill, Building Confidence, Achieving Excellence in Competition."

Competitive squads are designed for swimmers who aim to compete at the highest level. Swimmers in these squads are expected to regularly attend both training sessions and external competitions. Movement between squads will be at the coach's discretion, based on a swimmer's performance, commitment, and progress. If a swimmer does not meet the squad prerequisites, they will be offered a place in a more suitable squad that aligns with their current abilities and goals.

Pre Competitive
Junior Competitive
Senior Competitive

mobile app

Keep up to date with training times, training breaks and purchase swim hats using the Frogz app which is available on Android and iOS

What to bring to training & competitions

When attending competitions, it's crucial for parents to stay up-to-date with any last-minute changes or updates related to the event. Event schedules or other important details may change before or during the event. To ensure you're fully prepared, parents should regularly check the host club’s website for any announcements or updates.

Training

Swim Hat
Goggles
Short Fins
Kickboard
Pull Buoy
Snorkel
Water Bottle

Competitions

Swim Hat
Goggles
Towel
T-Shirt
Flip Flops
Warm Clothes
Snack
Water Bottle

Training & Competition Guidelines

Let's Work Together for Continued Success!

We’re so grateful for your continued support – it’s key to your swimmer’s success! To keep everything running smoothly, here are some simple guidelines for training and meets.

Training

Parents
  • We kindly request parents maintain their position in the viewing area and do not distract swimmers during all training sessions.
  • Rest assured our coaches are first aid trained and are able to deal with any incidents that arise.
  • For safeguarding reasons we ask parents to avoid entering the changing rooms before, during, or after training.
Swimmers
  • Stay Vocal: Always inform your coach before leaving the poolside or if you're not feeling well.
  • Stay Positive: Keep a positive attitude and focus on giving your best effort, even when it’s challenging.
  • Speak Up: Don’t be afraid to let your coach know if you're struggling or need help – they’re there to support you!

Competitions

During meets, swimmers are under the care of team managers and coaches. Adhering to the following guidelines will ensure a positive experience for the WHOLE team:

  • We kindly ask that interactions between swimmers and parents/guardians be kept to a minimum during the event.
  • Swimmers must inform the team manager or coach if they are leaving the designated Ascot Royals team area.
  • After races, swimmers should approach their coaches for feedback and reflection.
  • If a parent needs to urgently contact a coach, please use the number provided in the pre-meet email.
  • Parents are advised to check the pre-meet info for events, arrival times, warm-ups, and what to bring. This info can be found on the host club's website.

We’re always looking for Team Managers to help at meets! It’s a fun way to support the team and make sure everything runs smoothly. Interested? Reach out to volunteering@ascotroyals.co.uk. Follow us on Instagram @ascotroyalssc for updates and tips. Any questions? We’re always happy to chat!

Swim England Rankings

Swim England rankings are used by all swimmers that take part in official events to track and compare. This website tool provides a national benchmark for swimmers of all levels, from beginner to elite. These rankings help swimmers to:

Monitor Progress

Swimmers can track their improvements over time and see how they compare to others in their age group or event.

Qualification for Competitions

Rankings are often used to determine eligibility for regional, national, and international competitions.

Setting Goals

Swimmers can use their rankings as motivation to set personal goals and push for faster times.

Talent Identification

Rankings help identify talented swimmers who may be eligible for further development and support through Swim England’s performance pathways.

It’s a great way for swimmers to see where they stand and keep progressing!

The Benefits of

Consistent Training

In short, consistent attendance is key to swimmers’ growth and success. Missing sessions can hinder progress, so it’s important to train regularly to reach your full potential at Ascot Royals.

Benefits of Consistently Attending Training
How Missing Training Sessions Affects Development

Safeguarding - Basic Guidance

In place to protect the welfare of parents, guardians, swimmers and coaches

Mobile phones must not be used in the changing rooms by parents/guardians, swimmers, or coaches.

Any photographs taken by a parent/guardian that may unintentionally capture an image of another swimmer must not be shared on social media without the explicit permission of that swimmer’s parent/guardian

Parents/guardians are only permitted to assist swimmers in the changing rooms if the swimmer is under the age of 8.

When accompanying a swimmer, parents/guardians must ensure they are in the changing room that corresponds to their gender, not the swimmer’s, if different.

Parents/guardians are required to be onsite at least 10 minutes prior to the end of each session.


Ascot Royals is a Swim England-affiliated club and, as such, adheres to the Swim England Wave Power Safeguarding Policy.

Full details can be found on the Swim England website.

Swimmer Health and Welfare

What to do if my swimmer is unwell or injured

While our coaches have basic first aid skills, they are not in a position to offer medical advice. For the well-being of the swimmer, if they are unwell or injured, we strongly encourage parents to not bring the swimmer to training or a competition.

Taking a short break from training will not hinder a swimmer’s progress in the long run. Rest and recovery are essential for preventing further injury and ensuring the swimmer's continued success and health.

Thank you for your understanding and support in prioritising the health of our swimmers.

Code of Conduct

Swimmer

As a member of our Ascot Royals Swim Club, we understand you have the right to:

  • Enjoy the time you spend with us and know that you are safe.
  • Be told who you can talk to if something’s not right.
  • Be listened to.
  • Be involved and contribute towards decisions within the club or activity.
  • Be respected by us and other team members and be treated fairly.
  • Feel welcomed, valued and not judged based on your race, gender, sexuality, faith or ability.
  • Be encouraged and develop your swimming, swimming skills with our help and support.
  • Be looked after if there’s an accident or injury and have your parents/guardians informed, where appropriate.

As a member of our club we expect you to:

  • Keep yourself safe by listening to your coach or teacher, behave responsibly and speak out when something isn’t right.
  • Take care of our equipment and premises as if they were your own.
  • Make it to training and competitions on time and if you’re running late, let a member of the club know.
  • Make your coach or teacher aware if you have any difficulties attending training or competitions.
  • Not wander off, or leave training or a competition without telling your coach, teacher or team manager.
  • Bring the right kit to training and competitions. Follow the rules of the club, squad or activity at all times.
  • Respect the privacy of others especially in the changing rooms .

Behaviour

  • Make our activities a fun, happy, friendly and welcoming place to be.
  • Respect and celebrate differences in our club and not discriminate against anyone else on the grounds of age, gender, race, sexual orientation, faith or ability.
  • Understand that the use of abusive or inappropriate language, bullying, physical violence or any other behaviour which hurts others will not be tolerated by the organisation.
  • Not use any device to take photographs or footage of others in the changing rooms or cubicles.
  • Report any concerns you have about others taking photographs or footage of others in the changing rooms or poolside.
  • Understand that poor behaviour may result in the club taking disciplinary action against you.
  • Any behaviour which may be a criminal offence will be reported to police by the club.
  • Report any incidents of bullying or unkind behaviour to the club, even if you’re just a witness.
  • Treat other children with respect and appreciate that everyone has a different level of skill or talent.
  • Support and encourage your teammates, tell them when they’ve done well and be there for them when they are struggling.
  • Respect the children and adults competing for other teams at competitions.
  • Respect the committee members, coaching and teaching team and all volunteer helpers at the club.
  • Get involved in club decisions, it’s your sport too.

Breaches of this Code of Conduct may result in disciplinary action being taken against you by the club committee.

Parent/Guardian

As a parent/guardian of an Ascot Royals Swimming Club member we understand you have the right to:

  • Be assured that your child is safeguarded during their time with us.
  • Know how to access our club policies, rules and procedures.
  • Know who the Welfare Officer is and how to contact them.
  • Know that any concerns about your child’s welfare will be listened to and responded to.
  • Know what qualifications and training those with responsibility for your child have. Be informed of problems or concerns relating to your child, where appropriate.
  • Know the procedure should your child be involved in an accident or become injured.
  • Provide your consent or otherwise for photography and trips away.
  • Make a complaint to the club committee or Welfare Officer (as appropriate)

As a parent/guardian of a member of the club we expect you to:

  • Make sure your child has the right kit for training and competitions as well as enough food and drink.
  • Ensure your child arrives at sessions on time and is picked up promptly.
  • Inform us if you’re running late to collect your child or if your child is going home with someone else.
  • Ensure all contact and medical forms and update us straight away if anything changes.
  • Maintain a good relationship with your child’s coach or teacher.
  • Tell us if you wish to talk to us about any concerns regarding your child. We will arrange a mutually convenient time so you can talk to us.
  • Not enter poolside or interrupt training or competitions unless in an emergency situation.

Behaviour

  • Remember that children get a wide range of benefits from participating in sports, like making friends, getting exercise and developing skills.
  • It’s not all about wins and losses.
  • Behave positively as a spectator at training or competitions and treat others with respect. Give encouragement to your child and tell them when they’ve done well and provide support when they are struggling.
  • Respect and celebrate differences in our club or activity and not discriminate against anyone else on the grounds of gender, race, sexual orientation, faith or ability.
  • Respect the children and adults competing for other teams at competitions.
  • Respect the committee members, coaching and teaching team and all volunteer helpers at the club.
  • Understand that the use of abusive or inappropriate language, bullying, physical violence or any other behaviour which hurts others will not be tolerated by the club.
  • Understand that poor behaviour may result in the club taking disciplinary action against you.
  • Any behaviour which alleges a criminal offence will be reported to police by the club.
  • Talk to your child and ensure they understand the rules of the club and the sport.
  • Ensure your child understands their code of conduct.

Breaches of this Code of Conduct may result in disciplinary action being taken against you by the club committee. Continued issues and repeated breaches may result in parents/guardians being asked not to attend the club, something we never want to do.

Volunteering

Can you help?

Volunteers are essential to the smooth functioning and success of Swim England clubs, and every role contributes to making the experience better for everyone involved!

Why Volunteers are the Backbone of UK Swimming Clubs

Team Managers

Help coordinate swimmers during meets, ensuring they know their race schedules and are prepared for events.

Officials

Officiate at swim meets, ensuring fair competition and compliance with the rules.

Coaching Assistants

Support coaches during training sessions, helping swimmers improve their skills and techniques.

Event Organisers

Assist with the planning and execution of swim meets, ensuring everything runs smoothly on the day.

Fundraising Coordinators

Organise fundraising events to support the club’s activities and goals.

Admin Support

Help with communication, registration, and other administrative tasks to keep the club organised and efficient.

Interested?

Prerequisites: Prior to volunteering, Ascot Royals would undertake a DBS check and register the parent as a Swim England Member.

To volunteer please email: volunteering@ascotroyals.co.uk