Welcome To

Bushey Amateur

Swimming Club

BASC Welcome Pack: April 2015

  1. Welcome

Thank you for joining Bushey Amateur Swimming Club (BASC). This welcome pack is designed to inform new members and parents of the activities and structure of this local swimming club.

Established in 1926 the club is affiliated to East Region ASA and the Hertfordshire ASA. The club currently has over 160 swimming members with abilities ranging from intermediates to gala competitors.

The club uses pool facilities at Bushey Grove Leisure Centre, Aldenham Road, Bushey, St Margaret’s School, Bushey, MerchantTaylorSchool and St Helen’s.

If you require any further information about the club please do not hesitate to speak to one of the club’s committee members on pool side or visit our comprehensive website at where you may contact any committee member via email or complete our feedback request form. . The Club is run on a voluntary basis.

  1. Parental Involvement

The club is run on a voluntary basis from teaching to championship officiating. BASC always welcomes help from and the involvement of all parents wherever possible. The club can only operate through the work of its volunteers.

All the club’s teaching, coaching and officiating is provided on a voluntary basis. The support of parents is essential in this area and some train to become swimming teachers, coaches and / or officials (various courses are available to parents if they wish to assist, e.g. ASA timekeeping, coaching, etc.). Once club swimmers reach the age of 16 they are encouraged to attend the National Pool Lifeguard courses.

If you believe you can assist in any way please speak to any Committee member.

  1. Parental Responsibility

We would like to draw your attention to the fact that it is your responsibility to accompany your children to all swimming sessions. The club is only responsible for your child’s care during the training session. The club is not responsible for the care of your children before each training session starts or at its conclusion. Children should be accompanied at all times by the parent(s), or nominated adult, on the poolside. We draw your attention to the parents’ code of conduct (located on the website), which must be adhered to at all times.

  1. Membership

Our club night is Sunday and all swimmers are expected to swim at their allocated time. If they are unable to attend, we would ask that you inform the teacher wherever possible.

Younger swimmers will generally start in widths classes running between 4:00 and 5:15pm on Sunday evenings at St Margaret’s leading to the transition lengths class at the same venue at 5:15pm before progressing to classes at Bushey Grove between 4:00 – 7:00pm. More able swimmers swim from 7:00pm to 8:30pm.

Membership Fees

The membership fee is the same for everyone. . Fees are also pro-rated for those swimmers joining the club during the term/year.

Annual Membership (payable in November for the following year):
Per Swimmer / £75.00
Plus term subscriptions (payable in 12 monthly payments by standing order, January – December)
Per Swimmer, Per Month / £20.00

Please note that club records are maintained on a computer system. As such you or your child’s details will be stored electronically for that purposes of club administration only. They will only be passed to the ASA and not to any other organisation.

  1. Swimming Sessions

BASC Training Sessions

The Club sessions complement formal swimming lessons but are not a substitute. We recommend younger members also take lessons, such as those run by Hertsmere Leisure at Bushey Grove Pool. Children who do not have lessons may progress at a slower rate than peers who do. This may cause them to lose interest in swimming.

BASC is known for its high standard of teaching with the emphasis on stroke technique. Our sessions are structured on the National Plan for Teaching Swimming and our swimmers progress through these classes in accordance with their ability and the availability of spaces within the appropriate classes. The club also incorporates a coaching scheme in the swim sessions.

Sunday Training Sessions at Bushey Grove and St Margaret’s

These sessions focus on improving stroke technique with an introduction to starts and turns. Swimmers are also acquainted with some of the technical rules and prepared for Club Championships and galas.

This is the only day when the whole of the club swims. There is no BASC reception desk at our swimming locations, so all members are asked to keep a close eye on our website for information about forthcoming events and club news / information.

Additional sessions for swimmers are available as swimmers progress through the Club. Please see our website under the training tab, which provides full details of where our training is held and how swimmers progress through the Club..

  1. Poolside Rules

These rules are in addition to the normal operating rules and apply to all club members.

  • Swim hats MUST be worn by ANY swimmer with hair that falls into eyes.
  • Goggles should be worn to avoid sore eyes.
  • Swim shorts and bikinis are not permitted.
  • All jewellery must be removed before entering the pool.
  • Teachers MUST be informed of any medical condition that may affect a swimmer whilst in the pool.

For a comprehensive explanation of the full code of conduct please see our Policies page on the website

  1. Swimming Championships

BASC Internal Club Championships

These are held three times a year at Bushey Grove Leisure Centre and are an important part of every swimmer’s development. A.S.A. competition rules are applied to familiarise swimmers with the rules and atmosphere of an organised swimming event and prepare them for inter-club galas. These also provide an opportunity for Team Managers to notice up and coming swimmers who may be ready to represent the club. It is therefore important that all swimmers regardless of ability or age enter these championships.

Races are conducted by age categories with each swimmer’s race timed individually. This allows members to monitor their own progress at subsequent championships.

One consequence of running Club Championships under ASA rules is that some swimmers, of any age or standard, may be disqualified if rules are infringed. All the officials are ASA qualified ensuring full continuity of the rulings. Teachers will be told the reasons for the disqualification after the event and they will be happy to discuss these with swimmers and parents at subsequent training sessions. The ASA rules are available on the BASC web page. Separate distance championships are held over 200m and 1500m. Members are notified of details of these events prior to them taking place.

Time Trials

This is an internal event (run three times each year), where swimmers compete against the clock to gain club times for strokes and distances that they would not otherwise have the opportunity to obtain. Speed awards and individual swimmer ‘personal best’ times can be achieved at these events.

Dates for all the above events are on our website calendar.

  1. Inter Club Championships

The club participates in a comprehensive and competitive, yet friendly, league gala calendar throughout the year. BASC currently compete in a number of local swimming leagues. These leagues are based around a series of galas (normally held on Saturdays) against other swimming clubs. Team managers assess swimmers’ recent performances for squad selection. If you are chosen to swim for the club an email will be sent to you. The full selection for each gala is also posted on the members’ section of the website, where you should confirm your attendance as soon as possible. This gives information about the arrangements for the gala. Occasionally this involves a squad travelling to a venue by coach. A small charge is made per person for the use of this facility in order to cover our costs. Parents are welcome to support out teams at the venues and can either meet at the venue or utilise the coach if there is room. If you are selected for a gala, please inform the team manager whether or not you are available immediately. If you are sick or unavailable for any reason on the day, you MUST inform them as early as possible in order for them to arrange for substitute swimmers.

  1. Badges & Awards

At BASC we encourage all swimmers to work towards badges in the ASA Speed Award Scheme. Details of these speed events can be found under swim times in the members’ area of our website together with a record of the swimmers best time for each event.

ASA Speed Awards (Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum) can be gained by achieving target times in events held under ASA rules, i.e. club championships, galas and time trials.

Once you have qualified for a speed award, the Badge Secretary will provide you with a slip to return confirming you want the badge. There is a small charge for badges.

You can review the times required for each badge and see a record of your swim times on our website under swim times.

  1. Annual General Meeting and Awards Ceremony

The club holds is AGM and annual awards evening in January, to review the achievements of the club over the previous year and to recognise individual swimmers.

The club presents a large number of trophies, medals and certificates to a wide range of members. All members are encouraged to attend the awards evening. Details of the business of the AGM can be found in the Club Constitution on the website. Previous AGM minutes can be found on the website under AGM Reports. Details of the awards and previous winners can be found under the awards section.

  1. Communication

BASC realise the importance of effective communication and use a variety of media to convey information.

Email

Our main method of communication is email. This is because this is cost effective and unobtrusive. In order for this to be as effective as possible, please ensure that we always have your most up to date email addresses. Any changes in your details can be sent to .

Website

BASC also have a comprehensive website, which has all of our up to date information at This is the fastest way we have of getting information to club members. A current calendar of events is always available and news is published promptly. Please checkthe website reqularly. For certain areas of the website you will need a user name and password. Please request this by going to the request a password tab under the members section. There is also user guide and help tab under the member section of the website

Newsletter

The club produces a newsletter which is available to all members. A copy of the newsletter is emailed to all members, at least one a term.

  1. Club Merchandise

BASC offers a range of swimming products incorporating the club logo.

Our kit is managed and run by Beat School Uniforms. Please visit their website at for the complete list of BASC gear, and details of how to order, or you can access this via our website.

Swimmers attending galas are expected to wear a green gala hat, at all other times the Bushey yellow or black hats should be worn.

  1. Social Events

We are fortunate in having an excellent social committee who organise some great events These include a Summer BBQ and fundraising day as well as a Quiz Evening for parents.

  1. Fund Raising

All money raised contributes to the purchase of new equipment for the club, teaching courses and for additional hire of the pool for Club Championships.

BASC – 100 Club

BASC runs a 100 Club, which aims to raise funds for the club. Please support this activity by buying a number at a cost of £12 per year. The draws are made quarterly, in arrears, and cash prizes are awarded to the holders of the winning numbers for each month. Prizes are given for 1st, 2nd and 3rd places. 50% of the takings are allocated to the 100 Club winners, the remainder added to the main club funds.

Raffles

At each Club Championship we hold a raffle to raise money. We are always glad to receive prizes, so if you are able to donate anything please see a member of the committee,

  1. Committee Members

The website lists the current committee members and the positions held. If you would like to become involved or help in anyway, please speak to a member of the committee.

  1. WavePower

BASC follows the Amateur Swimming Association (ASA) Child Safeguarding Policy and Procedures contained within the Wave Power 2012-2015, available for viewing on the ASA website. There are two Club Welfare Officers whose role is to oversee all aspects of welfare for the club and its members, thus helping to provide a safe environment for members.

BASC recognises that all members have a responsibility to raise concerns about safety or child protection issues that may affect any member, volunteer or swimmer.

BASC Welcome Pack