About Us
Dronfield Dolphins Swimming Club aim:
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To provide a safe and fun environment.
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To recognise effort, improvement and achievement.
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To ensure that all members are able to participate whatever their ability.
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To maximise a swimmers potential
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This section is to give you an outline of how Dronfield Dolphins is organised, it’s structure, activities and what it means to become a member of the club.
Dronfield Dolphins is managed by a committee of volunteers elected each year at the Annual General Meeting held in November. Any parent of a squad member can be nominated and elected and the only requirement is that they are committed to attend a management meeting once a month and to take on one of the functions.
For example to operate, the Club needs coaches and poolside staff, a Chairperson to manage the meeting and be the voice of the committee, a secretary to co-ordinate all the paperwork within the club and it’s affiliated associations in the ASA and a treasurer to manage the finances of the club, collect the fees and pay the pool fees etc. Currently the executive of the club consists of Chairperson, Secretary, Treasurer, Membership Officer, Team Manager, Assistant Team Manager, Open Gala & Records Officer, Publicity Officer, Swim Shop Sales Officer, Webmaster, Welfare Officer, Schools Co-ordinator/Education, Swim 21 Co-ordinator, three parent member representatives and our three senior coaches.
The running of Dronfield Dolphins is similar to that of a small business, the difference being that the management team are volunteers, managing 22 hours of swimming time each week, encouraging and developing 150 swimmers.
To view the roles of committee members click here >
> Most of our training sessions are held at The Dronfield Sports Centre, Civic Centre, Dronfield. We also have access to The Ponds Forge 50m Pool in Sheffield on Thursday Evenings.
Dronfield Dolphins is managed by a committee of volunteers elected each year at the Annual General Meeting held in November. Any parent of a squad member can be nominated and elected and the only requirement is that they are committed to attend a management meeting once a month and to take on one of the functions.
For example to operate, the Club needs coaches and poolside staff, a Chairperson to manage the meeting and be the voice of the committee, a secretary to co-
The running of Dronfield Dolphins is similar to that of a small business, the difference being that the management team are volunteers, managing 22 hours of swimming time each week, encouraging and developing 150 swimmers.
To view the roles of committee members click here >
> Most of our training sessions are held at The Dronfield Sports Centre, Civic Centre, Dronfield. We also have access to The Ponds Forge 50m Pool in Sheffield on Thursday Evenings.
Children are taught three basic strokes, breaststroke, backstroke and frontcrawl. The lessons are run during the weekend on Saturday evenings 5.00 – 7.00pm and Sunday evenings 5.00 – 6.30pm and each lesson is 30 minutes in duration. Your child will already have been allocated a lesson time. Full details are available from Maureen Hirst Tel: 01246 419704.
When children achieve proficiency in the three basic strokes and are able to swim 25 metres in the main pool they will be moved into E2 squad when a place is available. In these sessions, the children will continue to improve their technique and stamina in the three basic strokes. They will also be taught about lane discipline.
When children achieve proficiency in the three basic strokes and are able to swim 25 metres in the main pool they will be moved into E2 squad when a place is available. In these sessions, the children will continue to improve their technique and stamina in the three basic strokes. They will also be taught about lane discipline.
From Learner lessons the children progress through squads from E2, E1, D2, D1, C2, C1, B2, B1, A2 and A1 depending on their swimming times, stroke technique and overall commitment. The coaches pay more attention to stroke technique, starts, turns, speed and stamina. The children are introduced to the butterfly stroke and learn how to dive. Any new child arriving will be individually assessed and allocated an appropriate squad.
Please note that sessions do change from time to time and are only outlined here to give you an idea of the times and commitment involved.
Progression through the squads is based on a number of factors, speed, commitment, stroke technique, behaviour and attitude to training. Relegation down the squads may at times be suggested, but both will be reviewed on a regular basis.
On achieving entry into the competitive squads the swimmer becomes eligible to register with the ASA (Amateur Swimming Association) as a competitive swimmer, and this allows them to compete as a team member or as an individual in a range of galas, dependant on age.
Progression through the squads is based on a number of factors, speed, commitment, stroke technique, behaviour and attitude to training. Relegation down the squads may at times be suggested, but both will be reviewed on a regular basis.
On achieving entry into the competitive squads the swimmer becomes eligible to register with the ASA (Amateur Swimming Association) as a competitive swimmer, and this allows them to compete as a team member or as an individual in a range of galas, dependant on age.
Swimmers competing in Galas, also need to be aware of Medical and doping issues. Up to date information is available via Derbyshire ASA web site and from the Club’s Welfare Officer. Swimmers need to be aware that certain medicines are subject to declaration, e.g steroids, inhalers and other prescription drugs. Medication declaration forms can be obtained from the Club Secretary.
Dronfield Dolphins organise Time Trials from time to time when swimmers from various squads are encouraged to swim for Personal Best (PB) Times and achieve ASA Bronze, Silver and Gold Awards. Swimmers can purchase these awards for achieving certain times over a specified distance; the times required are on the notice board. Badges can be bought from the Swim Shop within the club.
We have our own Club Championships held in January each year. Any squad swimmer who is a member of the club by the previous 31 October is eligible to enter. Cups are awarded to the swimmer who wins in that age group. The swimmer is able to keep this cup for a year before it is passed on to next year’s winner. Medals are awarded for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place, and ribbons for 4th to 6th place.
Dronfield Dolphins is a competitive club and the swimmers are encouraged to train for and participate in competition. The club is in the Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Diddy League for swimmers in the 9 – 12 age group. There are three galas in this series, which takes place from April to June and the club competes against other clubs in the Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire areas.
We also compete in the West Midlands Speedo League with three galas between October and December against other clubs within that region.
Swimmers are encouraged to participate in the Derbyshire County Championships held in March and the Long course (50 metre pool) Competition held in November at Ponds Forge.
Swimmers are also encouraged to compete as individuals in Open Galas. In these galas not only are the swimmers representing the club but also swimming for themselves to achieve new times and win trophies and medals. For this, swimmers need to be registered as a competitive swimmer
A number of our swimmers are also members of the Derbyshire County Squad and represent the county. Some are invited to participate in the elite Derbyshire County training squad known as Derventio Excel.
In addition we try to arrange friendly galas throughout the year for all age groups, ie any combination of ages from 9 to Open (16 and above) age group.
In both friendly and league galas the criteria for team selection has to be on speed, stroke and commitment to swimming. Dronfield Dolphins goes out to win - we are a competitive club. A football manager will select his best footballers, a swimming club has to select its fastest swimmers – our speed gains points. For example, if a swimmer comes 1 st and does not get disqualified, the club will be awarded 6 points, 2nd 5 points down to 6th position where they will get 1 point.
There are some ‘B’ grade galas intended for those swimmers who are not necessarily the fastest and do not always get the opportunity to swim for the club. These galas are just as important for the club and the swimmers representing us.
Some galas have cut off times or qualifying times which dictates the swimmers from whom the Team Manager can make their selection. Some may be too fast to compete. No two galas are the same!
The Team Managers, with co-operation and consultation from the coaching staff, do the selection. The Open Gala and Records officer keeps a register and swim ladder (published on the notice board) of all the times a swimmer achieves. These times are collected from time trials, friendly galas, league galas and open competitions and are entered on the ladder. The Coaches and the Team Managers then know who are the fastest swimmers.
It is important that gala dates are noted by swimmers and parents, these dates can be found on the notice board at the beginning of each year, in the frequent newsletters and on the web site www.dronfield-dolphins.co.uk .
We try to inform a swimmer that they have been chosen to represent the club in a particular gala as soon as possible. Usually swimmers are chosen at least two weeks before a gala. When a swimmer is invited to swim for the club, it is necessary to confirm whether they are able to attend by ticking the team list on the notice board. If a coach has been arranged, the list is also used to indicate whether spaces are required. This is important because, if swimmers do not turn up for a gala or do not inform the team manager, a substitute cannot always be found. One person missing in an age group could mean that the relay team cannot swim, thus denying the team of points and other swimmers of a swim.
It is and should be regarded as an honour to be chosen to swim and represent your club.
Dronfield Dolphins swimmers enjoy competition and we do very well in the galas we attend and the County Championships but there is a lot of work that goes on behind the scenes.
The management team have to try and find people who are interested in taking timekeeper and judges exams – galas cannot take place without them. To host a friendly gala, a club has to provide 2 timekeepers, 2 chief timekeepers, a referee, a judge, a starter, recorders, etc. Visiting clubs have to take officials with them.
The club needs volunteers to participate in all aspects of the swimming club. The club requires more parents to become involved, support, help with the fundraising and social events. Following on from supporting and helping, parents who find they enjoy being involved, may wish to become a timekeeper, judge or starter or take an interest in teaching. The more parents that do participate the less it is for the few that do regularly help and manage the club. All our coaches at present hold either a Level 1 or Level 2 Teachers Award. We encourage any parents and older swimmers, when they are 16, to attain their Level 1 Teachers Award.
We also compete in the West Midlands Speedo League with three galas between October and December against other clubs within that region.
Swimmers are encouraged to participate in the Derbyshire County Championships held in March and the Long course (50 metre pool) Competition held in November at Ponds Forge.
Swimmers are also encouraged to compete as individuals in Open Galas. In these galas not only are the swimmers representing the club but also swimming for themselves to achieve new times and win trophies and medals. For this, swimmers need to be registered as a competitive swimmer
A number of our swimmers are also members of the Derbyshire County Squad and represent the county. Some are invited to participate in the elite Derbyshire County training squad known as Derventio Excel.
In addition we try to arrange friendly galas throughout the year for all age groups, ie any combination of ages from 9 to Open (16 and above) age group.
In both friendly and league galas the criteria for team selection has to be on speed, stroke and commitment to swimming. Dronfield Dolphins goes out to win -
There are some ‘B’ grade galas intended for those swimmers who are not necessarily the fastest and do not always get the opportunity to swim for the club. These galas are just as important for the club and the swimmers representing us.
Some galas have cut off times or qualifying times which dictates the swimmers from whom the Team Manager can make their selection. Some may be too fast to compete. No two galas are the same!
The Team Managers, with co-
It is important that gala dates are noted by swimmers and parents, these dates can be found on the notice board at the beginning of each year, in the frequent newsletters and on the web site www.dronfield-
We try to inform a swimmer that they have been chosen to represent the club in a particular gala as soon as possible. Usually swimmers are chosen at least two weeks before a gala. When a swimmer is invited to swim for the club, it is necessary to confirm whether they are able to attend by ticking the team list on the notice board. If a coach has been arranged, the list is also used to indicate whether spaces are required. This is important because, if swimmers do not turn up for a gala or do not inform the team manager, a substitute cannot always be found. One person missing in an age group could mean that the relay team cannot swim, thus denying the team of points and other swimmers of a swim.
It is and should be regarded as an honour to be chosen to swim and represent your club.
Dronfield Dolphins swimmers enjoy competition and we do very well in the galas we attend and the County Championships but there is a lot of work that goes on behind the scenes.
The management team have to try and find people who are interested in taking timekeeper and judges exams – galas cannot take place without them. To host a friendly gala, a club has to provide 2 timekeepers, 2 chief timekeepers, a referee, a judge, a starter, recorders, etc. Visiting clubs have to take officials with them.
The club needs volunteers to participate in all aspects of the swimming club. The club requires more parents to become involved, support, help with the fundraising and social events. Following on from supporting and helping, parents who find they enjoy being involved, may wish to become a timekeeper, judge or starter or take an interest in teaching. The more parents that do participate the less it is for the few that do regularly help and manage the club. All our coaches at present hold either a Level 1 or Level 2 Teachers Award. We encourage any parents and older swimmers, when they are 16, to attain their Level 1 Teachers Award.
Please ensure that you have advised us of your email address so that our regular newsletter and any important information can be emailed to you.
Our web site: www.dronfield-dolphins.co.uk is being updated all the time so please refer to this regularly.
We do quite often need your help and support and this is sometimes requested in the newsletter. Please discuss any aspect of this with a committee member if you wish to become involved. The club is totally dependent on parental input for its existence.
Our web site: www.dronfield-
We do quite often need your help and support and this is sometimes requested in the newsletter. Please discuss any aspect of this with a committee member if you wish to become involved. The club is totally dependent on parental input for its existence.
We have a range of Dronfield Dolphins swimwear available and other swimming accessories (flippers, goggles etc) and at prices set below what you would usually pay in the shops. Items will be available at Dronfield, please refer to web site for more information about the shop.
Our major cost is pool time at Dronfield (or alternative) and Ponds Forge. To keep fees at a reasonable level we undertake fundraising events. These include raffles, social functions and a sponsored swim.
Throughout the busy swimming year the committee also try to fit social events for the enjoyment of children and parents. We hold a Christmas party, a Fun Gala and our Annual Presentation Evening in February where the trophies and medals are awarded from our Club Championships held in January. In 2007 & 2008, we had a weekend away in Scarborough, staying at the Blue Dolphin Holiday Park. A group of swimmers attended the gala in Scarborough on Saturday and/or Sunday.
As you can see a lot happens within the club and I hope this gives you an overview and insight into how Dronfield Dolphins function!
Throughout the busy swimming year the committee also try to fit social events for the enjoyment of children and parents. We hold a Christmas party, a Fun Gala and our Annual Presentation Evening in February where the trophies and medals are awarded from our Club Championships held in January. In 2007 & 2008, we had a weekend away in Scarborough, staying at the Blue Dolphin Holiday Park. A group of swimmers attended the gala in Scarborough on Saturday and/or Sunday.
As you can see a lot happens within the club and I hope this gives you an overview and insight into how Dronfield Dolphins function!
