Swim Ulster have entered into a new funding contract with SportNI under the "Investing in Performance Sport" programme. Whilst we have set ambitious targets for our high performance swimmers, we will also make support for club development a priority over the next two years.

Club Accreditation Programme. Ruth McQuillan, our Club/Coach Development Officer, will lead the initiative to roll out this new Swim Ireland programme in Ulster. The CAP is a continual improvement process and will provide our clubs with the opportunity to demonstrate their 'total quality' approach to serving their members and the sport. The new programme will be endorsed by SportNI, and achievement of the accreditation may help clubs if they apply to their local Council for Sports Development funding.

Ruth will provide expert support for clubs at all stages of the process and can be contacted at 028 90383829 to answer any queries on the programme from interested clubs. 

Participation Initiatives. These will support our clubs to maintain their own sustainability by establishing new links with their local community. We will organise 'taster' sessions targeting talented young athletes from local schools and local sports/youth/community groups and introduce them to swimming, diving and water polo. Ruth, our Club/Coach Development Officer, will be on hand to signpost this young talent to their local Swim Ulster club and will liaise with the club's coaches to ensure any new member will be welcomed into the sport.

As well as identifying and recruiting talented athletes that may otherwise have been lost to the sport, we will also increase the flow of local volunteers to the clubs. A spin off may be that the clubs will benefit from increased local awareness of their activities and therefore become more attractive to potential local sponsors.

Any clubs interested in developing a local participation initiative should contact Gerry Cappa, Swim Ulster Business Manager, at 028 90383807.