So what makes us the club that we are?
Free Style SC came into existence in 2009 and was born of frustration with what was seen as an overly prescriptive, elitist-driven approach dominating the competitive sport in Scotland. The raison d'être for so many clubs appears to be simply to help provide a base for a production pyramid, the apex of which is designed to offer up future Commonwealth and Olympic champions. Finding and developing that next generation of champions appears to be given priority over swimming for its own sake and the inherent individual benefits of so doing. As a result, for most youngsters the opportunity to learn how to sprint is denied them: the 50m race (heaven forbid, a 25m one!) is relegated to a delayed importance that means that most children actually leave the sport before they ever get a proper chance to really find out how to swim fast over short distances and to experience the thrill that comes with that. The fact that children, and indeed people of any age, can be taught how to sprint is beyond doubt: even prepubertal youngsters can make significant progress thereby challenging the stifling mythology that still surrounds anaerobic immaturity. Sprinting is a neuro-muscular activity and in so many ways the sooner a sprinting apprenticeship begins, the better.
Evidence-Based Training
“For years swimmers and coaches have been guessing at the best and safest ways to swim faster. We've copied techniques without fully understanding them, made claims without any evidence and even invented beneficial drills and equipment. That approach to the sport is no longer tenable. The sport of swimming is not a guessing game. It is time for an evidence-based approach to competitive swimming.”
- Prof. Brent Rushall
Since the founding of Free Style in 2009, and even before USRPT was conceptualised, our club has pursued an evidence-based approach to training. Everything we do is based on, or at least can be rationalised with reference to, current scientific thinking and research. This marks us apart from all those many clubs who persist with practices which are extremely hard to justify and which are so obviously inefficient when the sheer time put into training by their swimmers is considered.
Coaching Excellence
“ASCA certification is the internationally recognized designation for swimming coaching excellence and accomplishment. By achieving ASCA certification, coaches send a message to their peers, their swimmers, and their swim parents that they have gone above and beyond to become a certified professional.”
- American Swimming Coaches Association
Every one of our coaches is a volunteer who has a formal qualification from the ASCA. These qualifications represent the Gold Standard in coaching excellence and the club is proud to have supported each one of them on their individual journeys.
Club Democracy
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At Free Style we swim, and we try to swim fast. And we do it in a context of friendship, fairness, and social justice. The fact that like so many other worthwhile activities, swimming can be used as a vehicle towards achieving other desirable ends in life is intentionally emphasised, as indeed is seeking a balance between competing demands in young people's lives.
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Please read our Mission Statement
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Meetings are open to all members, and in the case of junior members, their parents or guardians as well. Any younger members likely to benefit from the experience are also actively encouraged to attend and participate. Every effort is made to reach decisions through open discussion and consensus.
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By convention the position of Hon. President is filled by someone outwith both the club and the sport. It is hoped that in so doing, such a person might bring a completely independent perspective to bear, introducing fresh ideas into the frame and offering neutral facilitation with respect to resolving any disagreements that may occur.
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To support the work of the Management Committee, our constitution & regulations provide for a Training Subcommittee consisting of the Hon. Secretary, the Wellbeing & Protection Officer, our two Joint Club Captains, together with all the coaches. Its role is to consider all matters relating directly to the training of our swimmers, and to present proposals to the Management Committee for their consideration.
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With the explicit expectation that every member contributes some energy to the club during the year, we hope a wider interest in the on-going running and well-being of the club will be kindled. This in turn will hopefully mitigate the chances of any smaller self-interest group emerging that has undue influence in the decision-making process.
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No, he’s not a swimmer of any note even though his hair does look wet! His name was Cleisthenes, an Athenian political leader who introduced a system of political reforms that he called demokratia, (from demos, “the people,” and kratos, “power”). He is widely regarded as the founder of Athenian democracy.
Looking After Everyone
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• Wellbeing and child protection is taken very seriously at Free Style. All of our volunteers who find themselves in regulated roles have had background checks and undergone the required training with respect to helping to protect our young people and vulnerable adults.
• We have in place no less than three fully qualified Wellbeing and Protection Officers actively led by long-term member, Carrie Ward. Should anyone ever feel they would like to get in touch with her, then this is her private club email box wpo@freestylesc.org.uk
• All our masters swimmers have undergone background checks as well so that parents can feel comfortable about the common use of the pool changing facilities.
• Finally, we have an array of related club policies which have been guided by the requirements of Scottish Swimming which include:
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The Forres Pool Management have in place specific Health & Safety policies which meet the requirements of the 1974 Act and associated regulations. In addition to the the full range of relevant risk assessments included in these, the Club has also carried out its own with respect to the use of our separate training equipment.
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Our coaches should never feel uncomfortable or vulnerable in any Club situation and though by far the major responsibility with respect to this lies with the individual coach they still need to feel secure in the knowledge that there is someone out there able to support them in the event that a safe sport allegation is made against them. Each one of our coaches, through their membership and qualifications with the ASCA, has access to free global legal advice in the extremely unlikely event that they feel they are in need of it.
Club Etiquette
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Many of our swimmers are in or approaching their teenage years, years that are a challenging developmental period. As parents, we love our children to bits and we care deeply about their futures. We want to equip them with the tools to tackle life with gusto. We strongly believe that good manners and consideration of others are essential parts of that toolkit.
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Respect when dry...
• Get to the pool in good time - aim to be on the poolside 5 minutes before the session is due to start
• Do not leave your clothes in a cubicle - other users may need to get changed whilst you are swimming
• Look after your clothes and make sure you have everything with you when you leave
• Use the toilet and, if need be, blow your nose before coming onto the poolside
• Always be polite and courteous to pool-staff and to every other user of the pool
Respect when wet...
• Always swim in such a way that you do not interfere with the training of anyone else
• Look at your coach when he or she is talking to you and listen carefully
• Swim in the correct direction in your lane cutting across before you turn so that you do not pushoff into the person behind you
• Leave sufficient space between you and the swimmer in front. You must both give yourselves the best chance possible of swimming an uninterrupted length
• If you are the lane leader, stay focussed and set an example. Have your goggles down ready to go as soon as you are told and keep track of the set
• Allow other swimmers to swim in at the end of a length: practising finishing is as important to the last swimmer in the lane as it is to the first
• If you want to have a drink or go to the toilet, do so between sets and not in the middle of one
• On longer swims, if you want to pass, gently tap or tag the toes of the person in front. This is the sign that they should stop at the end of that length and let you pass. Don't tailgate!
• Brush your teeth before practice and don't breathe on people when resting at the wall - especially important after garlic bread!
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• If the responsibility for your children being on time for training rests with you, then please try to get them there earlier rather than later
• If your children are still of an age when it would be best for them not be left at the pool on their own, please make every effort to be punctual picking them up. Coaches will of course wait but may have other places they need to be themselves
• Whilst we understand that you may have questions, please do not try to talk to the coaches during a session - they will be more than willing to provide the time you need when the swimmers are changing or by arrangement
• Please do not come onto the poolside or try to talk directly to your child without first seeking permission from the session coach
• The treasurer's role is a busy one and you can help by paying your fees on time. Chasing people for money is a time-consuming task best avoided
• Actively supporting and encouraging your children will be of great benefit to their swimming