Swim England's new toolkit to offer 'accessible' financial guidance to clubs

Swim England has started work on a new toolkit which will aim to offer ‘accessible’ financial guidance to aquatics clubs.

The toolkit is being produced after the ‘Return to Water’ survey revealed that one of the main challenges faced by clubs was financial sustainability.

The toolkit will help to equip clubs with the necessary knowledge for them to manage their finances efficiently, as well as support them with the process.

A focus group comprised of club chairs and treasurers will work alongside Swim England to create this resource.

These are: Ben Mullen, club chair, Bristol Penguin Olympic SC, Mike Beard, club treasurer, Solihull SC, Jackie Bedford, club chair, Beckenham SC, Keith Munday, club chair, Boldmere SC, Chris Belai, club treasurer, Boldmere SC, Helen Giles, club treasurer, Bristol Penguin Olympic SC, and Belinda Koh, club treasurer, Seymour Artistic Swimming Club.

Also part of the focus group is Swim England engagement manager Stuart Radford, independent tax adviser Richard Baldwin and Swim England club and operator relationship manager Andy Jack.

‘This is imperative’

Andy said: “Creating this toolkit for clubs is imperative following what has been an extremely challenging 18 months.

“The Return to Water survey gave us the insight to know what difficulties were most prevalent for clubs and, in many cases, financial hardship and instability proved to be the biggest.

“Ensuring not only the longevity of, but the prosperity of, all aquatics clubs is a key priority for Swim England and we are working closely with a focus group in order to make this an accessible resource for all clubs.”

Meetings between the focus group and Swim England representatives have already begun with the next due to take place in late November.

Topics such as managing club finances, budgeting, legal structures, employment, tax and VAT, sponsorship and fundraising will be among the key points to be included.

The progress of the toolkit will be documented with updates from Swim England, with a view of officially launching the resource in Spring 2022.