Swim Nofio Cymru Annual Report 2010 - 2011

NOFIO CYMRU SWIM WALES

Principal Partner Official Partners Funding Partner

NOFIO CYMRU SWIM WALES

Contents

NOFIO CYMRU SWIM WALES

Chairman's Report 1 Chief Executive's Report 3 Performance 6 Education 8 Strategic Plan 2011 - 2015 9 Disability 17 Masters 19 Events 20 Development Report 21 Volunteers 23 Diving 24 Water Polo 25 Accounts 27

A Message from the Chairman NOFIO CYMRU SWIM WALES

Swim Wales has exploited every opportunity presented

October 2010 was the culmination of another four year Swim Wales is now an integral part of a national effort to provide programme aimed at raising the profile of swimming in a life skill (namely the ability to swim) to all of its citizens. Wales and did we do it in style! Three young Welsh women - Jazz Carlin (2), Jemma Lowe and Georgia Davies seized International success in the pool, the diversification of our the opportunity presented to them in Delhi and secured programmes and our pivotal role in the learn-to-swim initiative four medals, by far the best Welsh is all included in a new 4-year Strategic Programme. The new performance since Edinburgh in 1970. But we also had a strategy has been born out of tough internal reviews and our further 4 fourth places and 14 finalists demonstrating a loyal staff has been through some very tough times in the closing of the gap between Welsh swimmers and the rest immediate period following the 2010 Commonwealth Games. of the Commonwealth. The coming months may be very challenging for our members, Profile raised, what else have we achieved in this year? We've particularly if Unitary Authorities are hinting at reductions in diversified and embraced the whole aquatics scene and seized pool costs. The “every child a swimmer” programme will give even more opportunities to encourage additional people to them some comfort that they are preparing their future clients take to the water. Swim Wales has development staff working but we all must look for even more effective ways of running in water polo, diving and disability swimming thus diversifying our respective programmes in an effort to grow the usage of the work of the governing body and providing further aquatic our very expensive network of pools. opportunities for more people. Whatever, we know that more opportunities are out there if we But this is not the end of our work. In 2009 Swim Wales met look carefully and seize the moment. with the Welsh Assembly Government (WAG) and Sport Wales to discuss the Free Swimming programme. It was a no-brainer To the Directors, Swim Wales staff and our thousands of that if you couldn't swim you were unlikely to take up any offer members I thank you for all of your hard work on behalf of for free swimming! The WAG and Sport Wales were minded to aquatics in Wales and I'm sure that 2011-12 will present us do some research and gather the facts and figures and, lo and with both new challenges and opportunities. behold, they found that the ability to swim was not consistent across the nation. In some authorities over 80% of top year Roger Eady primary school children could swim and in others it was as low Chairman as 40%. WAG and Sport Wales acted quickly, charging Swim Wales with the responsibility to improve the teaching standards across the nation and urged the Unitary Authorities to coordinate a programme of intensive swimming teaching. Swim Wales completed the up-skilling earlier this year and Unitary Authorities, Sport Wales and Swim Wales are in detailed discussions with the vast majority of Unitary Authorities to transform their teaching programmes, the aim being to have every child a swimmer and thoroughly drown- proofed before they leave primary school.

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Chief Executive Report NOFIO CYMRU SWIM WALES

The Year of Change

I would like to start this year's report with the outcomes of British Gas has added support in our Dragon Mark (DM) the Delhi 2010 Commonwealth Games, which were programmes for our clubs by offering grants to help them paramount in our minds at the writing of the last Annual when they attain level 1 - 3 of the DM award. Report. More clubs have achieved the Dragon Mark club award this Our team performed very well, albeit not totally achieving year with ten clubs having achieved the award or been what we had forecast, and reached over 95% of our overall reaccredited. The scheme is due to be updated and the targets. It was our best ever prepared team, we had the most administration simplified over the next year to enable more finalists and 4 of the 5 targeted medals. I would like to give my clubs to benefit from this club development tool. personal thanks to Martyn Woodroffe, for without his total professional preparation we would not have achieved these The Kellogg's project this year focused on including the two results. Martyn's Performance Report gives the full details. disciplines of Water Polo and Diving. We have also added to our development structure by introducing new areas of I will also add my congratulations to all our Team Staff and assistance within volunteer and disability development and swimmers on the performances in Delhi. promotional and marketing support for our Innovation and FitSwim programmes. I also forecast that Swim Wales would have an outstanding, if not great year, during 2010/11. Swimming in Wales this year The Kellogg's support helped Csaba Rull, our Water Polo has seen a number of landmark achievements: Consultant, to continue development with the Junior Water Polo Team winning the Celtic Tri-Nations this year in Dublin. o Highest number ever of Senior Swimmers on British Team Not to be outdone the Swimming Team also won their o Highest number ever of British Youth and Junior teams equivalent Celtic Tri-Nations that we hosted in this year. o 4 Medals and highest number ever of finalists at Delhi Commonwealth Games A highly successful scheme for women and girls from ethnic o 4 Gold medals for British Swimming Junior (WME) backgrounds in Swansea was also delivered with this and Youth teams year's Kellogg's sponsorship, attracting more than 360 partici- pants and training an additional ten lifeguards and female It doesn't stop there and we must encourage all of our coaches to continue the sessions. swimmers to maintain and improve with more training and more competitions as we prepare our swimmers and build up Kellogg's funding has also assisted in the North where over for our ultimate challenges in in 2012 and in fifty young volunteers were trained to support the delivery of 2014. I believe these two events will be the greatest games water polo local festivals in Flintshire, which attracted more ever in the history of Welsh and British Swimming. than 2,000 participants.

With the continued development of our relationship with our Another part of the Kellogg's support went to the new diving sponsors, we have made some key changes in our focus and programme, headed up by Ben Fox, which has been launched diversification: operating from Aberdare Pool in Rhondda Cynon Taff.

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A Diving Club has been set up in Bangor and it is hoped that Llanelli will follow suit soon; it is anticipated that coaches and volunteers will be trained over the coming year to support these programmes.

We aim to grow and continue to support these programmes in 2010 also saw a new Coalition Government at Westminster and the upcoming year, constantly striving to increase opportunities the introduction of the Comprehensive Spending Review. In for people to be involved in all aquatic disciplines and to Wales the new Welsh Government was also appointed, both in improve the quality of the delivery. turn having significant effects on the whole of the UK and bring its own pressures on Wales and on Swim Wales. The Aqua Passport scheme has been extended through the Local Authorities (LA) and offers an attractive membership To ensure that we continue to be fit for purpose, the Board package to young people learning to swim as well as providing introduced an Operational Performance Review at the support to the teachers and local authorities delivering Learn beginning of 2011. This looked at all aspects of the business to Swim (LTS) schemes. We now have more than 2,200 from strategies through to funding and staff. It was inevitable additional LTS members who are benefiting from the scheme. that changes would have to be made and this year has seen Its development, following on from our initiative with the Julie Tyler, Victoria Waters, Terri McAllister, Susan Hammacott Swimming Pathway conferences throughout Wales, has led to and Catrin Devonald all leaving us to take up new challenges. a number of additional Local Authorities joining the Aqua I am sure you all join me in wishing them well for the future. Passport scheme, Carmarthen should go live in September with high hopes for Wrexham to follow suit. Our Strategic Plan was completely reviewed and extended to 2015. We submitted the new plan to the Grants Panel of Sport We do now need to ensure all of our clubs are linking with Wales and I am pleased to inform you that the panel was very these LAs as there is an ideal opportunity to obtain new receptive to the plan. The new submission was accepted by membership through the pathway from the LA Learn to Swim them and we have now agreed its implementation through classes until 2015. We were commended by the panel for the excellent progress we have made and our planning for the future. At our competitions we can now see the benefits from the Millennium Volunteers programme; more and more The changes in emphasis in the new plan mean that the Board youngsters are now joining our team of existing Officials to has the opportunity to consider growth areas that have not form a highly qualified professional Officials Group. developed in the past. One of these is the development of our Marketing and Communications policies and to this end, We will also see our young volunteers at the UK School Games Mark Arnold has joined us as our new Chief Operating Officer in September, where 48 of the 52 Officials running the from August 2011. He already has a distinguished international competition will be 22 years of age and younger. career in marketing strategy which, together with his experience as a Welsh International swimmer and Record Holder, means Additional UKCC Level 1 and 2 qualifications coming from our that we will be able to build on and enhance our future. Mark young people group of volunteers are also encouraging and will be working alongside our NPD Martyn Woodroffe and will each Club should be looking at introducing young volunteer report into me as CEO. programmes into their club structures. Further information can be seen in the Volunteer Coordinator's Report. We have restructured the regional posts to incorporate support for Mark in his new role and our new Regional I recommend that all of our clubs work more closely with Local Business Managers Chris Weller and Rhys Mullan are joined by Authorities in promoting our seamless pathway in swimming. Hanna Guise ,who as well as being one of our finest Tutors, will The lifeblood of all of our clubs is members and, with the clear now look after the South East Region. pathway, we should be able to promote our sport more effectively throughout Wales. >

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Administration has been consolidated with Zita Cameron managing all of our administration roles.

Our strategies of 100,000 members and 'Every child in Wales to be swimming by the age of eleven' are steaming ahead; both will require a large commitment from us all and please be reminded that we need to continue with our plan to be the best and most professional .

We must strive to achieve our strategies, I am sure that our new streamlined team working alongside all of our clubs and partners will ensure we will reach all of our achievements.

A Partners Conference will be held in the early part of next year; the main topic of this will be the Swimming Pathway and we will look to achieve total collaboration of all our partners in how the Welsh Government's Free Swimming initiative, the Local Authorities Learn to Swim project and our Aqua Passport scheme will support additional membership in our clubs.

We need to ensure this is extended throughout our Regions and that we are all working together to bring our Strategic, Partners Plans and ideas together for the benefit of all in Wales.

We must all also contemplate the challenges ahead. The final countdown to London's Olympic Games of 2012 is high in our minds and we are already into our planning stages for beyond 2012 in terms of performance; our strategy for the international events programme included 7 medals at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, no mean feat!

I want to thank our staff, volunteers, clubs and partners for the tremendous contributions you have all made this year and I invite you all to join with the Board, in the next year, to add to our achievements and accomplish significant inroads to our Strategic Plan do even more and, as with our swimmers, continue on our pathway of achievement, advancement and commitment to this wonderful sport and life skill of swimming.

London's Olympics means that 2012 promises to be a great year for sport, culture and our nation as a whole. Let's make sure that it's a spectacular one for swimming in Wales, too.

Robert James Chief Executive

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Performance

NOFIO CYMRU SWIM WALES

The main focus of the last twelve months of international competition was the Commonwealth Games in New Delhi 3rd - 14th October 2010.

O ur achievements were notable - one silver and one bronze medal from Jazz Carlin and bronze medals from Jemma Lowe and Georgia Davies and, on twelve occasions, eight new Welsh records.

But there can be no doubt that we could have achieved more, particularly when we consider that on thirteen occasions we finished fourth, fifth or sixth.

Having said that, we should be very proud of the Swim Team. Considering that the Indian environment and the Games Village were not conducive to high performance, our swimmers were very professional in their preparations and racing.

Can I take this opportunity to thank not only the swimmers but Team Staff - Jenny Shaw as Team Manager and Coaches Dave Haller, Bud McAllister, Stuart McNarry and Billy Pye along with the Sport Science Staff of Cath Shearer, Kath Brown, Rhys Shorney and Vanessa Davies who worked tirelessly throughout the twelve months preparations and during holding camps and the games itself.

I would also like to pay particular thanks to Chris Jenkins, CEO for the Commonwealth Games Council for Wales, who has helped, guided and supported me through the whole Commonwealth Games past four year cycle.

Post the Commonwealth Sarah Rowell and Neil Tunicliffe were appointed to do a full and independent Review of the Performance Structure and Pathways in Wales. This report looked at every aspect of the last four years of my work with input from British Swimming, Sport Wales, Commonwealth Games Council for Wales the High Performance Coaches, the Sport Science Staff and key administrators.

From this very thorough document, I am starting to shape the next four years to ensure that we convert more of the 4th to 6th places at the Games into medals and also to ensure that we continue developing our Performance Centre Strategy across the whole of Wales. 2010 / 2011 was not just about the Commonwealth Games we also hadOur swimmerssome notable hav esuccesses also dur ingon Britishthe past Teams: twelve months rewritten

o Siwan Thomas Howells and Ellena Jones selected for Great Britain for the European Youth Olympic Festival. o Ieuan Lloyd and Chloe Tutton selected for Great Britain for the European Junior Championships. o David Davies, Jazz Carlin, Jemma Lowe and Georgia Davies selected for Great Britain for the World Championships. o Tom Allen selected for Great Britain Open Water World Championships and European Junior Championships. >

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the Welsh Records with too many to list here, my congratula- tions Our swimmers have also during the past twelve months Recently we have provided Video Equipment and training rewritten the Welsh Records with too many to list here, my support to Newport, , Swansea, Carmarthenshire, congratulations to all swimmers who have broken these Pembrokeshire and Conwy and are also providing a limited records. number of swimmers with individual Sport Science Support in their home training environments. On the Domestic International Competition we hosted the Celtic Tri Nations in Swansea with a Welsh Team made up of Over the next 12 months we will be developing an Integrated experienced internationals and younger swimmers gaining a Computerised Sports Science and Educational Programme flavour of racing at International level. which will reach out to all of our Squad Swimmers and Performance Centre Swimmers and their Coaches. The aim will This was the first year we have beaten Scotland and Ireland to be to deliver appropriate Sports Science at each stage of the win this event. We have agreed with Ireland and Scotland to swimmers development and track them over the period of continue this event in 2012 and 2013 with 2014 left vacant for their swimming careers. Sport Wales have appointed Stuart Home Countries to concentrate on the Commonwealth Games Peacock as the project leader to work with a specialist in Glasgow. company Writemedia to get this programme up and running with the next year. We have continued to develop the National Team Plan introducing Stroke Camps to our existing skills and regional During the past year we have maintained the formats of our squad programme with the Senior Elite and Youth Squads Domestic Competition Calendar. However, it is clear that both concentrating on off-shore camps. The competition phase of the November and January Meets are becoming dated and the National Team Plan has continued with Squads competing need either a change of emphasis or a change of date to keep both in the and also offshore. interest in these events.

The ASA Inter County Teams were restructured with Wales Whilst the Age and Youth and Summer Nationals continue to fielding two teams North East / South East and North West / grow in popularity there is a need to look at the qualifying South West. This split has proved very successful with both times and process as often we are oversubscribed or have an Teams being promoted to Division One for 2011. Hopefully imbalance of entries across different age groups and strokes. both Teams will remain in the top division for the forthcoming years. The Summer Nationals has improved each year however we need to find a format that will still encourage entries from We have continued with our Performance Centre Strategy and English and Scottish Clubs without excluding our Welsh have made excellent progress in most areas. However we have swimmers. I would like to take this opportunity to thank our still made little or no progress in four of our original identified professional staff, and in particular Leisa Forrest, who have areas and, in one area, we have failed to secure the long term worked incredibly hard to make the meets a success and also future of Performance Swimming. the army of volunteers who make these events possible.

We are still experiencing resistance to change from some clubs During the next twelve months and going forward we shall see who seem to appear not to want to forge a partnership with a greater emphasis on integration with disability swimming their Unitary Authority or to combine resources with clubs both in Training Camps and Competitions and consistency in within the same Unitary Authority. We are also trying to be Squad Selection and Administration Procedures. With the more proactive with the Unitary Authorities asking them to appointment of a Disability Performance Manager - Huw increase support of the requirements and needs of clubs and Griffiths - it is hoped that we will continue with the success the swimming pathway. Wales has enjoyed in Disability Swimming at World Level.

The Sports Science Support Programme being offered to the Finally can I thank my fellow colleagues for their continued Elite Swimmers is now excellent mainly due to the Intensive support throughout what has been a difficult year given the Training Centre / British Swimming and Sport Wales operational review and the volume of work undertaken by commitment to providing everything required for World Class Swim Wales. I feel we are lucky to have highly dedicated and Swimming. We are making good progress in bringing Sport motivated staff. Science Support into the daily training environment of our Performance Centres. Martyn Woodroffe National Performance Director

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Education

NOFIO CYMRU SWIM WALES

It is hard to believe that another year has passed by so quickly and what a year it was! We said numerous 'Goodbyes' and 'Hellos' during the year and these included saying a fond farewell to our team of Roving Tutors - Malcolm Sumner, Anita Kapila and Hanna Guise, who all tutored various UKCC courses and CPDs and who travelled the length and breadth of Wales as part of the Welsh Government Free Swimming Initiative Up-skilling Programme which has very nearly concluded. We also said 'Goodbye' to our existing ASA/UKCC qualifications and 'Hello' to the new QCF/UKCC qualifications which aim to be more learner-centred with assessments taking place in a variety of ways rather than relying on written examinations to test competency.

In the forthcoming months we will look forward to launching a Swim Wales mentoring programme which will predominantly focus on four groups:

1. Those coaches currently on the UKCC Level 3 programme 2. Those with responsibility for the tutoring of UKCC courses 3. Newly employed professional coaches 4. Young aspiring volunteer coaches - our next generation

We are hopeful that these four groups can cascade new or additional technical information to the swimmers quickly and efficiently and will ultimately help our swimmers become the best they can be.

We welcomed our new on-line booking system. This major investment, combined with Education Plans agreed within each region, will ensure potential teachers and coaches can easily locate and register onto a UKCC course. In time, we plan to add online booking for CPDs and Team Manager Training courses but will wait until the processes for UKCC are firmly bedded-in before we move forward with this aspect.

P.R. John-Pearse Education Manager

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Strategic Plan 2011 - 2015 NOFIO CYMRU SWIM WALES

Information for all members of Swim Wales

The following is an outline of the Swim Wales Strategy for the next four years. We are pleased to say that the programme has the full backing and support of Sport Wales

A Brief History 2009 - 10

Over the last two years Swim Wales has continued to grow and develop and it is important that we outline our major achievements to demonstrate that the funding and support of Sport Wales has been usefully deployed. Following the 2010 Commonwealth Games, Swim Wales has undergone:

o A root and branches Operational Review which has refocused the priorities and objectives of the organisation o An external Review of Performance Structure & Pathways o A revised Performance Plan - National Performance Director

For brevity we have presented our achievement headlines under the two headings of Performance and Development:

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Performance o A British Swimming High Performance Centre (one of only 5 in the UK) is now firmly established in Swansea until 2013. The Centre is home to three of our Welsh Commonwealth Games medallists 2010 o Cardiff is a recognised Welsh Performance Centre and is home to two of our fourth placed finalists o The following are recognised as having the potential to be Welsh Performance Centres: o Newport Carmarthenshire o Torfaen ** Pembrokeshire o Cardiff (Elite) Conway o Bridgend Flintshire o Swansea Wrexham** (** Not yet operating as HPC) o Wales achieved 4 Medals; 4 Fourth Places and 14 Finalists in the 2010 Commonwealth Games

The Performance Challenges o Only 5 Commonwealth Games finalists were nurtured in Wales and the challenge over the next 4 years is to strengthen the existing Welsh Performance Centres, staffed by competent and well qualified coaches who will report to the National Performance Director. o These Centres will provide the necessary world class training environment in which talented swimmers can flourish. These Centres should be producing potential international medallists beyond 2014 o However, it is likely that the 2014 Commonwealth Games medals will come from swimmers based in Swansea, Cardiff and other Intensive Training Centres and Performance Centres outside Wales o Where necessary, Swim Wales will ensure that precocious talent is encouraged to relocate to those Centres best suited to develop their talent o The aspiration is to ensure that Performance Centres in Wales will provide a World Class daily training environment

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Development

It is probably important to define what Swim Wales means by development:

Growth - appealing to much larger number of people by diversifying into all recognised aquatic activities, learn-to-swim and water safety programmes. In turn, these larger numbers are of interest to more potential sponsors.

Swim Wales has:

Grown: o Membership 2008 - 9828 o Membership 2010 - 10386 (6% growth on previous year)

Diversified o WAG Learn-to-Swim Campaign; training new and up-skilling existing teachers o Appointed a water polo development coach o Appointed a diving development coach o Appointed a disability development officer

Attracted a New Sponsor in conjunction with GB Swimming o British Gas is our Principal Sponsor to add to our existing list of blue chip partners: o Kellogg's o Speedo

The Development Challenges

o But, unless we consolidate these many initiatives we will be unable to make the quantum leap required to capitalise upon our successful competitive shop window and our growing menu of aquatic programmes designed to attract the interest of the whole of the nation.

o Growth is conditional upon attracting more income and the business, going forward, will be headed by a Chief Operating Officer (COO) with wide commercial and marketing credentials. The directors also envisage that a successful COO could then become a major candidate to succeed the Chief Executive Officer post 2014 thus providing a smooth transition for the organisation.

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We Can Do Even Better! o Swimming has a major trump card to play - the activity is the magic key which opens up a whole new world of water-borne and adventure activities for the entire nation regardless of age. If you can't swim then two thirds of the surface of the world becomes a dangerous and threatening environment. o A diversification into a wide range of aquatic activities will not reduce our intention to raise our medal count in the International arena as the new strategy will clearly demonstrate. o Our Key Objectives and Requirements are set out in the following sections with specified annual targets to 2015 and, in many cases, targets for the end of this decade in 2020. o Underpinning all of this work is the requirement to grow income streams, develop strategic alliances and develop our work force to market our services and strengthen our internal and external communications.

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Key Objectives Perfomance

o More Medals - 7 in the Commonwealth Games, Glasgow 2014

o Strengthen the existing 10 Performance Programmes and raise their aspirations by 2015

o Identifying and placing precocious talent into appropriate training and competitive environments

o 500 Internationally ambitious competitive swimmers by 2020

o More Practising and committed Level 3 Coaches from the present 10 20 by 2015 (2 per Performance Programme) 30 by 2020

Development

o Increase membership from 10,386 (2010) to 30,000 by 2015 with a target of 100,000 by 2020

o Every child a competent and safe swimmer (11 years) by 2020

o Create a national network of comprehensive Aquatic Programmes - Partnerships of Unitary Authorities, Commercial Centres, Clubs and Volunteers

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Delivering the Performance Programme

Create a national network of comprehensive Aquatic Programmes providing a broad and challenging aquatic experience for all ages including our present development of Water Polo and Diving

These more diverse and progressive Aquatic Programmes will be developed and marketed following close consultation with all interested parties to include: o Swimming Clubs o Public and commercial pool owners o Other water-borne sports and adventure activities

Every child a competent and safe swimmer (11 years) by the end of the decade - 350,000 by 2015 This ambitious target will be built into the comprehensive aquatic programmes developed above and will require careful planning and management to ensure people are not only taught to swim but that they are encouraged to move into other aquatic programmes

Increase membership from 10,386 (2010) to 30,000 by 2015 with a target of 100,000 by 2020 The vast majority of the new members will be recruited via an ambitious National “Learn-to-Swim” Programme. However, a more diverse national aquatic programme will create many opportunities to secure increased membership

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Delivering the Development Programme

More Medals in the International Arena

o 7 medals at the Commonwealth Games, Glasgow 2014

To achieve the 2014 target plus further medals throughout this decade we need to recruit and manage a team of highly competent and committed coaches. These coaches will be working in the existing, and any future Performance Programmes. We, therefore, require to:

o Secure the Welsh National Pool High Performance Centre (ITC) beyond 2013

o Increase the numbers of practising level 3 coaches from the present 10 to 20 by 2015 and 30 by 2020

o Continuously expose these coaches to challenging situations and provide for continuous personal development

o Strengthen the existing 10 Performance Programmes

o Encourage and assist in the formation of new High Performance Programmes where conditions are favourable

o Strengthen and develop the presentable body and disability integrated training scheme

o Develop the Disability Officer in coaching strengths

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Delivering the Strategic Programme

Key to delivering the Programme is the quality and commitment of the Swim Wales workforce. We have completed a root and branch review of the whole operation (Performance and Development) and the key outcome is that the organisation should develop a strong commercial ethos to ensure that it exploits every opportunity to grow and prosper. The first task of a newly appointed Chief Operating Officer is to train and support those members of staff with significant responsibility for the growth of the organisation to include: o Regional Business Managers (3) o Events & Volunteer Manager o Education & Training Manager

The staff will then deliver this new strategy via four main headings:

Sponsorship (increasing and diversifying revenues & levels of activities) 1. Review our existing sponsorship to increase value for money 2. Develop a British Swimming joint venture programme to secure new national sponsors

Strategic Alliances (combine our resources & finance to deliver all round benefits) 1. These represent the organisations involved either directly or indirectly in the wellbeing of aquatics

Workforce Development - Our People 1. Ensuring that those who deliver aquatic programmes across the nation are competent, capable and well trained 2. Work with all parties to develop the swimming Pathway

Communication & Marketing 1. These initiatives will ensure effective two-way communication between our key partners and our customers 2. Effective marketing will ensure that our products are readily available to our existing and potential clients

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Disability Programme NOFIO CYMRU SWIM WALES

Having had a Disability Development Officer/Manager in post for 2 years, this year was the period to begin seeing the work done, come to fruition and establish the long term direction of the programme leading to 2016 and beyond.

2011 has been a mix of improving the structure of the Disability swimming pathway in Wales, ensuring a strong competitive base and focusing on major competitions, especially with the Paralympics in London now being less than a year away. There have been some dramatic changes in the It is just as important, however, to make sure that the exclusive profile of Welsh Disability swimming from grassroots right opportunities are made as clear as possible and that they are through to National performance, as a result new swimmers offering as consistent a learning environment as that of the are being identified, progressed through the swimming inclusive. Ensuring that all Local Authorities are providing the pathway and results at a national level reaching new high same level of opportunities for all disabilities is and always will standards. be the main aim of the programme. Over the last 12 months, important solutions have been identified for improving this. As Grassroots a result, areas of coach education have been highlighted at a With a home Paralympics not far away, to suggest that the UK level and are currently being researched and developed. main focus is not London 2012 would seem like an unusual With the introduction of these courses and workshops, approach. However, even though there is a small group of coaches and teachers will be able to have a better understanding young swimmers that are coming through, it is important to of how best to work around various disabilities to ensure full ensure that that small group gets bigger. Law of averages development of potential. would suggest that the greater the numbers coming through at the grassroots level, being taught the fundamental skills and Competition Pathway moved through into the latter stages and into a competitive Offering a competitive pathway for swimmers is vital to their club environment, the more likely we are to find those talented further development. A progressive competition pathway has swimmers. been identified as a key area for improving the standard of disability swimming in Wales. The challenge has always been on finding these potential swimmers, establishing a consistent inclusive and integrated 2010/2011 saw, for the first time, an integrated competition learn to swim programme across all authorities and signposting programme within Swim Wales National Competitions. This to a competitive club training programme. Unfortunately there provided competitive club and national swimmers with a larg- is no overnight solution to this, however, areas of better practise er annual events programme with greater opportunity to post have been identified and with close work with selected national standard times. The integrated events were also a Authorities and other partners, positive results are being seen chance for clubs to witness part of the disability pathway, of with a steady increase in the number of inclusive swimming which previously they may not have been fully aware. programmes across the country, with more disabled swimmers To get swimmers to the level where they are able to compete accessing mainstream swimming lessons and progressing into on the national stage, a structured annual competition plan at a club training programme. The marketing and publication of the development stage is important. We are currently working opportunities through partners such as Occupational on a disability specific competition programme at the regional Therapists, has seen a dramatic increase in the number of level that will help to attract more swimmers into the sport, as young people with disabilities being made aware of swimming well as offer a realistic progression that will offer competition opportunities that are available. There have been large strides and swimmer development. Any new swimmer entering a in forming relationships with specialist units within the NHS competition should do so with swimmers of a similar level. It is (spinal injuries, prosthetics, visual serves etc.), further and with this in mind, that the proposed new competition plan will higher education services and National Disabilities see skills level swimmers competing against each other, Organisations (Royal National Institute for the Blind, CP Sport Development swimmers doing likewise and National level and and MENCAP etc.). During this past year, this has set a good elite swimmers contesting events such as the Summer and platform for continual improvement, with the view of disability Winter Nationals. I believe that with this system in place, we swimming provision falling parallel to the mainstream will see an increase in the level of Welsh Swimmers making the swimming programme currently in place. higher grade in the future.

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Performance - National and Elite World Class Programmes This year's major competition for the elite swimmers was the Swimmers Currently on a World Class Programme: IPC European Championships in Berlin. As this would be the final major international event before the , the performances would give an insight into the work that World Class Programme: needs to be done in time for London and whether medal World Class Podium: targets are on course. Unfortunately both new mum Nyree David Roberts Kindred and David Roberts, through injury, had to withdraw Nyree Kindred but Welsh representation was still present through Rhiannon Rhiannon Henry Henry (Montreal/Swansea Performance) and Liz Johnson Liz Johnson (Bath). Medal prospects look promising with Rhiannon winning 2 golds in the S13 200IM and 50 Free as well as silver World Class Development: in 100 free. Adding to that Liz won gold in the SB6 100 Jack Thomas (S14 Fast track breaststroke. Programme)

There was also a Welsh feel in the GB team with 6 Swansea World Class Talent based swimmers also competing in Germany. Graham Jonathan Eke Edmunds (S10), Sam Hynd (S8), Stephanie Millward (S9), Eleanor Simmonds (S6), Anthony Stephens (S5) and Rob Welbourn (S10) were all part of the team and all came away with medals. Looking towards 2012

Medal Results: The coming 12 months is potentially the biggest year that we will see for sport in this country. It is important for us to remember that the continued hard work will not finish when Rhiannon Henry: S13 Eleanor Simmonds: S6 the Olympic and Paralympic Games finish this time next year. 200IM - 2:36.36 (Gold) 400 free - 5.25.20 (Gold) A large part of the London 2012 bid is centred on the legacy 50 Free - 28.57 (Silver) 50 free - 36.52 (Bronze) that such an event will leave. 100 Free - 1:00.95 (Gold) 200IM - 3.08.98 (Gold) 100 free - 1.16.35 (Silver) For us, the legacy is being able to use London as a springboard Liz Johnson: S7/SB6 for inspiring and delivering a higher standard of swimmers 100 Br - 1.38.89 (Gold) Anthony Stephens: S5 year after year through to Rio in 2016 and beyond. We have 50 Fly - 43.68 (Bronze) seen a steady progression over the last two years and look G raham Edmunds: S10 50 Back - 42.75 (Silver) forward with excitement to seeing the programme develop. 50 free - 25.61 (Bronze) 100 free - 1.17.27 (Silver) 200 free - 2.47.44 (Silver) Huw Griffiths Sam Hynd: S8 Disability Development Manager 400 free - 4.29.18 (Gold) Rob Welbourn: S10 200IM - 2.28.03 (Bronze) 100 free - 55.07 (Silver) 200IM - 2.17.99 (Bronze) Stephanie Millward: S9 400 free - 4.11.18 (Gold) 100 free - 1.04.30 (Silver) 400 free - 4.42.23 (Gold) 100 Back - 1.10.54 (Gold) 100 Fly - 1.11.62 (Silver)

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Masters Swimming NOFIO CYMRU SWIM WALES

Masters swimming has continued to provide a valued The Welsh Government Strategy for Older People, which seeks activity for those aged over 24 (we also include 19 to 24 to provide health and social benefits by encouraging healthy years in transition) and active ageing through the development of free swimming, especially in structured sessions has thrived for those over 60 For those between 24 and 60, Masters Clubs and organised years of age. sessions in leisure centres provide fee paying activity in the pools. Following the start of the scheme, in 2004-05 there were around 3,000 structured swims, this has risen to 80,000 in During the last year, Welsh Master swimmers have set 90 new 2010-11. There are still more unstructured free swims (2010-11 Welsh records, split relatively evenly between women (47) and there were 624,000 recorded). men (43). Welsh events have seen not only Welsh records, but also European and World record performances. We need to tap into this group to encourage a flourishing improvement in recent years for Welsh Masters clubs. There are Many of the Welsh records were set at the Wales National Pool many suggestions as to why that has happened; cost of water in Swansea and the Cardiff International Pool in the excellent time, the times’ pools are made available to older swimmers, long course facilities. Master swimmers also set records in lack of understanding of the needs of older swimmers. But, if Millfield, , Blackpool, Glasgow, Wolverhampton and we are to attract more Master swimmers and fulfil the role Sheffield. Some intrepid travellers have been to the European seen by the Welsh Government for improving the health of and World Championships, at their own expense. people as they age, we must ask why more swimmers from structured swims do not see Masters Clubs or sections as a The Masters Panel recognises their part in the wider aspects of natural development of their skills and fitness? swimming for people during the ageing process, as well as the achievement in performing well and being in a supportive social environment. Masters Panel

It is also important we ask questions of ourselves about how to encourage swimmers to form and join Masters Clubs with coaching to develop older swimmers and also to review our activities so that we can investigate options to develop Masters swimming further.

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Events 2011

NOFIO CYMRU SWIM WALES

2011 has seen a few changes within events due to an operational performance review and there is now a combined approach to volunteering and events leading to aspirations of ''World Class Events & World Class People''.

The 2011 Welsh Competition programme has featured some highlights so far with the Celtic Tri Nations and Gemau Cymru being a welcome addition to our standard event programme. Gemau Cymru provided the first opportunity to include development swimmers in a national event and we are looking to host this event again next year.

One highlight of this year yet to come is the Dragon Open Water Swim that is to be held on 24th September at the Mumbles, Swansea. This event launches Swim Wales’ commitment to taking forward this area of Aquatics and plans will be put into place to build upon the event for following years.

The Swim Wales event programme has seen an increase of competitors over the last year and has built a good reputation for delivering well organised events. Our thanks has to go to all the coaches, volunteers and officials who work hard as a team to bring things together and we look forward to building upon these strengths to ensure 2012 is an even bigger success whilst constantly improving the technical and performance elements.

Leisa Forrest Volunteer & Events Manager

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Development Report

NOFIO CYMRU SWIM WALES

Development By the very nature of development, this section often details many changes that have taken place over the previous year. This year however has seen a major shift in the roles and personnel within the department following the Swim Wales Operational Performance Review.

The regions are now fully supported by Regional Business Managers who have taken on the responsibility for Swim Wales activity within the regions from the old Regional Development Officer (RDO) posts. Hanna Guise (South East) Chris Weller (West) and Rhys Mullan (North) took up the posts from April 2011 and are adjusting to their new roles while continuing to support the clubs and local authorities with aquatic development.

To lead the strategic direction for the team and to support the officers in working towards national targets, the post of Chief Operating Officer was created, and we welcome Mark Arnold to this new position.

The Aquatic Pathway Throughout Wales there are significant resources are to Within our strategic plan we have the following agreed targets: swimming including the provision of swimming pools, school and leisure centre 'Learn to Swim' programmes, governing 1. LEARN - Every child in Wales can swim by the age of body investment and the Welsh Government's Free Swimming 11 by 2014 (increase of 100,000) Initiative. Given the importance and potential impact of 2. SOCIAL PARTICIPATION - 6.5 million swims per annum swimming across Wales it is important that we maximise the across Wales by 2014 opportunities it provides. A pathway which provides the focus 3. COMPETITIVE & SOCIAL PARTICIPATION - 100,000 aquatic for the development of aquatics across Wales and the members of Swim Wales (increase of 90,000), of which allocation of current and new investment has been recently 20,000 are competitive swimmers and 80,000 aquatic agreed by Swim Wales, Sport Wales, and our Local Authority members of the swimming family partners. 4. PERFORM - Consistently maintain a minimum of 5% of Welsh swimmers selected for British Swimming's World Class Pathway 5. EXCEL - 7 Commonwealth medals in 2014 , 2 Olympic and 8 Paralympic medals in 2012

For this vision to be achieved local authorities, schools, leisure centres, aquatic governing bodies, Sport Wales and the Welsh Government are committed to working more closely together to achieve these targets and make the pathway a reality. Resources will have to be used more flexibly and with more challenging and innovative methods of delivery adopted. Quality facilities, equipment, coaches and development staff along with the provision for disability and minority groups will be at the heart of the development and would support the implementation of local aquatic plans.

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Dragon Mark Accreditation The previous year has seen Dragon Mark club awards go from strength to strength with a number of new awards and reaccreditations. British Gas has added their support to this award and with it specific funding for all newly qualified DM clubs. A review of the scheme is currently under way and should make the process simpler, allowing more clubs to achieve it, whilst ensuring they attain the same high standards. Following a period of development by Swim Wales Board member Allen Bewley, a new electronic assessment tool is also nearing completion to further simplify the Dragon Mark process.

Aqua Passport The Aqua Passport scheme continues to grow with several partners now taking part in the South East, and the first pilot scheme running in the North. Club Aqua Passport following stages 8-10 of the National Plan for Teaching Swimming is being finalised, and will provide opportunities for clubs to further support new members joining the club.

Projects Thanks to our funding partners Kellogg's and Sport Wales, we have seen a number of successful projects take place in the past year. Diving is one key area of success with over 120 participants now attending each week in Aberdare, and a Talent Identification programme reaching 1300 children in local schools. Classes in Llanelli are expanding and Bangor is due to host a national novice competition attracting competitors from all over Britain in the near future. The school-club links project in Rhondda Cynon Taff this year has provided additional teaching support to hundreds children during their primary school swimming lessons. Their extra teachers, local sixth form students, gained valuable teaching and coaching qualifications and many are now involved in coaching swimming, water polo, diving and disability swimming sessions.

Rhys Mullan (North) Chris Weller (West) Hanna Guise (East)

Regional Business Managers

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Swim Wales

NOFIO CYMRU Volunteering Programme SWIM WALES

2011 has continued to see an increase in participation of volunteers within all areas of Swim Wales.

Young people involved in the young Officials Programme have continued to support many of the events and are now moving through the British Officials pathway, with some reaching the position of 'Starter', one step away from Referee. Some of the Young Officials have also taken part in the British Swimming Volunteer Programme and hope to gain a place volunteering at the Olympic Games. Good luck all of you!

Volunteering within events has increased with parents offering their time to help on poolside within the roles of Marshalling or Field of Play which has supported the efficient delivery of our events and helps Swim Wales build upon the already valuable volunteer base of Officials who regularly give their time.

2012 will see a re-launch of the Young Officials Programme & Hour Bank with the intention of encouraging young swimmers of 14 years+ to get involved. Alongside this, we will also continue to build upon and increase the volunteer pathway offering a wider diversity of roles available to all.

A big thank you must go to all the volunteers & officials who support the delivery of all aspects of the Aquatic calendar and who play their part in helping us provide a high quality service to all those involved in the sport.

Leisa Forrest Volunteer & Events Manager

23

Diving

NOFIO CYMRU SWIM WALES

The diving development aims for this year have been to solidify Training Camps and competitions athlete development structures, create clear programming for Aberdare Comets Diving Club took eight athletes to a three day lesson schemes to work with and increase diving's input to Swim training camp at the new Southend diving facility. The weekend Wales membership. consisted of twelve hours wet and dry training time and mentoring sessions with Damian Ball GB Coach. The centre offers training Membership facilities and logistic solutions for easy management of training The Swim Wales membership, albeit currently a slow trickle, will camps. increase through Club membership as we now have two active clubs in Wales - Bangor and Aberdare. Two more clubs are due to be set up Clubs over the next two months. The new competitive season will mean C ardiff University Diving Club are due to be set up over the next that, as selections for club/regional representation are made, a large couple of months. Aberdare Comets Diving Club has started a new proportion of club divers in Wales will be joining up over the next six competitive season. Divers will be competing at novice level and months. stepping into novice skills level this season. There are 35 divers at competitive squad level. As Bangor and Llanelli's diving facilities are connected to the main pool tank, the pool time is severely limiting due to demand from Teaching Schemes other user groups. Another barrier to increased participation is that We currently have three thriving teaching schemes in RCT, we don't have the teachers to provide for the demand. We are armarthenshire and Bangor. Many of these are over subscribed. examining a number of options to overcome this including courses We are also working closely to incorporate related skills such as run at a short-term loss (for a long term gain!) or possibly charging a gymnastics and trampolining. This is in combination with our colleagues little extra for courses, as has been suggested by one LA. in Welsh Gymnastics - a good example of working closely with another NGB for mutual benefit. Aqua Passport The finishing touches have now been made to the diving component Talent Identification in Schools and these Diving Aqua Passport levels can be easily integrated with Over 1300 participants at 23 Schools across the RCT took part in the current teaching practice and lesson scheme infrastructure for each Talent Identification Scheme. The TID scheme gave a good level of council site. There is potential to reach a good amount of new exposure for the sport increasing participation at the RCT programme memberships with this. by 30%. The divers selected from this process train weekly up to 2 hrs 3 times week and are due to compete at the National TID games in Bangor Novices Diving Competition - The Bob Morgan Trophy Sheffield November. The first diving competition in Wales in what I'm sure must be over a decade will be held later this year at Bangor Swimming Pool by the We hope to introduce Talent ID into our two other clubs in Llanelli newly formed Bangor Bilidowcars (Cormorants in Welsh). There will and Gwynedd later this year. be some 100 competitors from all over the UK, including some of the top British clubs in attendance. The Council has part sponsored the Ben Fox event along with local commerce. Diving Coordinator

The event is a great profile boost and will be a first step to putting Wales back on the diving map. It will also provide open and closed scoring for Welsh clubs giving us national standings.

Education Diving training for swimming teachers CPD - offered to four councils that were interested in the flip and fun CPD, the proposed diving for swimming teachers mentoring CPD. There was not a good response. With this in mind, we have decided on a change of tactic and, with the information I have put together, I would like to look at making an official level 0 diving qualification aimed at basic cross over skills, basic dry work and diving skills for 14+ years old. I have a meeting with Welsh Gymnastics to discuss their level 0 and a Talent dentification partnership. This works well for Welsh Gymnastics as a money earner and a good way to keep teenage athletes involved with sport.

Recorders courses - delivered end of September to develop competition infrastructure for Welsh events.

3 Coaches have attended Level 1 trampolining courses.

8 have attended level 0 gymnastics courses.

Mentoring is a large part of my role at each of the sites.

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Water Polo

NOFIO CYMRU SWIM WALES

1. Wales Water Polo clinic 4. ASA NAG competitions Until April 2010, we raised the awareness of water polo in Until April 2010 we participated with one boys' squad only Wales and after this, we managed to create regular monthly which was the 1993/94 squad. From April 2010 we increased Wales water polo clinics in Cardiff International Pool. In the the number of squads in both genders. In the 2010/2011 ASA international pool, we set up 3 pods across the 50 metre pool, competitions, we participated in all ASA National Age Group where three age groups train at the same time. Competitions in all age groups and in all age groups. Because The age group of the athletes are from 1993 until 1998, both these tournaments are for water polo clubs only the different males and females. In previous years, we had only one age age groups athletes (both male and female) have joined the group and about 30 players. From April 2010 we increased this Wales Wanderers Water Polo Club and participated in these number to more than sixty. tournaments. This allowed us to enter the leagues immediately and enter all of the competition games for all of the age The training in CIP is 1.5 hours long; we have a coach with groups, which will be beneficial to the long term development. each squad. 5. Other There are new level 1 coaches who are helping the “lead One of the best things that has happened since April 2010 is coaches” during training, which will help to up-skill the new the new water polo club formed in Aberdare. The name of the coaches and develop and build their confidence. club is Wales Dragons (Cwmru Draig), the head coach is Darryl Ward. The water polo clinics are open to all athletes while only Swim Wales members are able to participate in the training sessions In the last year we organised a UKKCC level 1 water polo which has led to a number of athletes becoming new members. coaching course in Newport, where we had 12 new coaches. Most of these coaches are involved with training within our 2. Wales Junior Water Polo National Trainings sport. These coaches have been at tournaments with the From Aril 2010 we have organised monthly Wales Squad teams to get game and tournament experiences as well. training sessions, there are 3 squads from the junior boys. For the youth age groups 1993/94, the coach is John Evans. The We started the coaching up-skilling. In June, 4 Wales coaches junior age group 1995/96, the coaches are Darryl Ward and were in Ireland to observe the official training games between John Evans. The academy age group is 1997/98; the coach for Great Britain and Hungary senior men's team. We observed this group is Darryl Ward. both games and observed the Hungarian senior men's training as well. During the training and games we discussed the With the female athletes, there are not enough athletes to exercises and the tactics. Also the coaches could speak with form clear age groups. The female Wales age groups are a the Women GB head coach Szilveszter Fekete and with the GB mixed age group from 1993 through to 1997, the coach is Men head coach Cristian Iordache. The coaches had a great Rohan Monico. meeting and learned a lot from these discussions.

The Welsh squads are not training only in the CIP; they also For 2011/2012 the Wales coaches set out the annual calendar train in the Newport Sport Village and the Welsh National Pool, which will help both the players and coaches how to manage Swansea. and plan their programmes around the trainings and competitions.

3. ASA Inter Regional Tournament For the 2011 Celtic Tri - Nation tournament in Ireland, we had Up until April 2010, Wales participated only with the oldest just a senior men and youth boys team and we are proud to boys' age group in the Inter Regional Water Polo Tournaments. say that the Youth Boys improved their game to come 1st after In the 2010/2011Inter Regional Tournaments, Wales coming 3rd last time. Well done! participated in all of the age group competitions in both male and female tournaments. Csaba Rull: British Swimming Water Polo Development Officer Also in January 2011, Wales hosted the Inter Regional Tournament in Cardiff at the CIP for the 1994/95 boys age groups. The event was excellent and it was very beneficial for the sport in Wales to host a British competition. In these tournaments, we did not rank highly but did achieve some good results, we participated and showed all the other regions that there is a very good large commitment and work effort started in Wales.

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26

AGM Accounts Report

NOFIO CYMRU SWIM WALES

Swim Wales (A Company Limited By Guarantee) Balance Sheet 31st March 2011 31.03.2011 31.03.2010 £ £ £ £

Fixed Assets Tangible assets 331,553 44,285

Current Assets Debtors: amounts falling due within one year 33,866 70,552 Debtors: amounts falling due after more than one year 304,158 310,365

Cash at bank and in hand 286,019 656,245 624,043 103,7162

Creditors Amounts falling due within one year 792,965 870,838

Net Current Assets -168,922 166,324

Total Assets Less Current Liabilities 162,631 210,609

Reserves Other reserves 30,676 30,676 Profit and loss account 131,955 179,933 162,631 210,609

These accounts are not the company’s statutory financial statements.

These accounts are not the company's statutory financial statements. The statutory financial statements from which these accounts are derived were approved by the Board of Directors on 23rd September 2011 and were were audited by Arthur Gait & Company, Chartered Accountants and Registered Auditors, whose report dated 6th October 2011 expressed an unqualified opinion.

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Year Ended Year Ended 31.03.2011 31.03.2010 £ £

Income Membership Income 227,770 236,855 Membership Aquatic Passport 16,280 18,500 Grants 686,942 740,772 Sponsorship and Fundraising 134,365 131,693 Other Income 9,856 17,216 Education Income 93,807 76,927 Competitions & training Income 226,798 216,186 Schools 1,400 6,471 Regional Income 80,055 71,582 Water Polo 1,461 0 1,478,734 1,516,202

Expenditure Salaries & Office Expenditure 765,924 765,078 Committees & Expense Expenditure 8,296 8,185 Membership Aquatic Passport 25,700 59,391 Competition & Training Expenditure 458,687 389,690 Regional Costs 62,066 72,216 Diving 0 Water Polo 5,111 6,085 Masters 448 451 GB Fees 38,978 43,680 Schools 2,278 10,042 Education & Development expenditure 159,224 181,247 1,526,712 1,536,065

Net Profit/(Loss) -47,978 -19,863

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Swim Wales Wales National Pool Sketty Lane, Swansea SA2 8QG

Tel: 01792 513636 Fax: 01792 513637 Email: [email protected] www.swimwales.org

Nofio Cymru Pwll Cenedlaethol Cymru Abertawe Lon Sgetti, Abertawe SA2 8QG

Ffon: 01792 513636 Facs: 01792 513637 E bost: [email protected] www.swimwales.org

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NOFIO CYMRU SWIM WALES