DASC Empowering Swimmers for Successful Futures

Aim

DASC aims to develop swimmers through strength & conditioning, mental resilience, nutrition, wellbeing, & life skills, improving performance

Who are we?

Dungannon Amateur Swimming Club (DASC) is a thriving, community-focused swimming club based in the heart of Dungannon. For over 40 years, we have provided high-quality coaching and opportunities for swimmers of all ages and abilities, from those learning competitive swimming to athletes competing at national level.

As a volunteer-led club, we are committed to creating a positive, inclusive environment where young people can develop confidence, resilience and lifelong friendships through sport. Our swimmers are supported by a dedicated team of coaches, volunteers and families who work together to help every member achieve their full potential.

At DASC, we believe swimming is about more than medals and results. We are passionate about developing stronger swimmers, healthier lifestyles and successful futures, both in and out of the pool. Through coaching, education, wellbeing initiatives and community engagement, we strive to empower young people with the skills and confidence to succeed in sport and in life.

Why are we crowdfunding?

At DASC, we believe that swimming should develop more than athletic ability. We want to provide our young people with the skills, confidence and support they need to thrive both in and out of the pool.

We are fundraising to deliver a programme of strength and conditioning training, mental health and resilience workshops, nutrition education, team-building opportunities and digital resources that will benefit swimmers of all ages and abilities. These initiatives will help improve physical wellbeing, build confidence, reduce barriers to participation and support swimmers with additional learning needs.

As a volunteer-led club, we are also investing in technology that will reduce administrative pressures on coaches and volunteers, allowing them to spend more time supporting our swimmers. Every pound raised will help us create a stronger, healthier and more inclusive club, empowering young people for successful futures through sport.

How we’ll spend the money raised

Project Elements

1. Strength & Conditioning Programme

• Qualified S&C coach.
• Weekly sessions over 20 weeks.
• Injury prevention.
• Mobility and movement skills.
• Confidence and physical literacy.

Our plan is to enlist a qualified strength and conditioning coach. We believe that athletes will learn technique, build strength and confidence that will translate to performance.

2. Wellbeing & Resilience Workshops

• Mental resilience.
• Managing competition pressure.
• Confidence building.
• Time management.
• Balancing swimming, school and social life.
• Female athlete retention 

We aim to hold  these workshops locally and our goal is to help athletes acquire coping strategies. These workshops will be open to other clubs within our local area. Breath work, meditation and self regulation will be our focus

3. Nutrition Education

• Athlete nutrition.
• Healthy eating on a budget.
• Recovery nutrition.
• Parent education workshops.   
• We shall break this into two age appropriate workshops. Athletes under the age of 14, the workshop will be fun and some practical interaction. 
• Senior athletes fuelling for sport age 15 plus will take onboard sports science, we aim to build positive relationship with food and fuel for sport and life challenges. Practical cooking and food hygiene will be included. 

4. Team Building Residential

• Residential or weekend camp.
• Leadership activities.
• Team bonding.
• Communication skills.
• Retention of teenage swimmers especially females that tend to drop out early.

DASC has identified a gap in recourses and hope to secure a suitable property at a key weekend of swimming competition. Over the weekend the swimmers will be able to put into practice the learning they have gained at our workshops. Swimmers can prepare meals, rest and recover between races. This is creating an opportunity for swimmers to socialise together, chat to coaches and recharge and process results in a supportive environment. 

5. Digital Inclusion Equipment

• iPads for coaches.
• Attendance recording.
• Session planning.
• Performance tracking.
• Visual learning aids for swimmers with additional learning needs.
• Reduction of volunteer administration workload.

These iPads are essential to the delivery of this project. Due to the diverse and complex needs of swimmers. iPad's will be used to support swimmers with barriers and learning difficulty's. The ipads are very versatile, aiding visually and are easily transported to galas etc.

Community impact

This project will have a lasting impact on young people, families and the wider community across Dungannon and the surrounding rural areas. By providing strength and conditioning training, wellbeing support, nutrition education and personal development opportunities locally, we will remove travel and financial barriers that often prevent participation in additional activities.

The project will help retain young people in sport during key transition years, encouraging healthier lifestyles, improved physical and mental wellbeing, and positive life choices. Through shared experiences, participants will build confidence, resilience and lifelong friendships, creating a stronger sense of belonging within their community.

DASC is an inclusive, cross-community club that welcomes individuals from all backgrounds, including those with disabilities and medical conditions. The resources and knowledge developed through this project will also benefit the wider sporting community, with opportunities to collaborate and share learning with other local clubs and organisations, including the triathlon club.

The project will create opportunities for volunteers to develop new skills and play an active role in supporting young people. This helps adults remain connected to their community, provides a sense of purpose and achievement, and can reduce social isolation. By strengthening both our young people and volunteers, we are investing in a healthier, more connected and resilient community for the future.

How you can play your part

1. Make a pledge. Don’t delay if you’re going to support us because momentum is key to our success!

2. Spread the word. Share our project on your social media pages and tell the world to get behind us! The more people we reach, the more support we will get.

3. Offer rewards.  Get involved if you are a local business by donating things we can offer to our supporters. We will give you a shout out!

4. Fundraise for us. If you want to run your own fundraiser – maybe a sponsored activity or similar – use the 'contact project' button at the top of our page to let us know. Setting up your own page only takes a few minutes and you won’t need any bank details. Just a fun idea!

Funding method

Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made