Target reached!
The more we raise, the more we can get back into the pool, the more swimmers we can ...
Kettering Swimming Club's COVID Fundraiser
Kettering, England, United Kingdom
Aim
Help us get as many of our members back in the pool as quickly, and as safely, as possible
Who are we?
Kettering Amateur Swimming Club has been providing swimming and water polo to the community since 1914. We have around 200 swimming members aged between 7 and 93, with 75% under the age of 18.
Our aim is to be recognised locally, regionally and nationally as a swimming club that enables athletes to achieve their individual aspirations in competitive swimming and water polo by improving their skills and fitness levels and by providing regular opportunities for competition.
We provide the best environment for training and competition by forging and maintaining links and partnerships with facility providers, local authorities and other clubs.
KASC and the Community
KASC has always taken an active role in the Community. We work closely with local schools and Northamptonshire Sport to run the annual Kettering Primary Schools' Swimming Gala at Kettering Swimming Pool, and have worked with the Pool to run intensive swimming lessons in school holidays.
Every year the Club raises money for local and national charities, including RNLI, Crazy Hats, Niamh's Next Step, Johnny's Happy Place, Air Ambulance and Cransley Hospice.
The Impact of Coronavirus
COVID19 brought an end to our training and competition, as it did for every sport club. After our most successful County Championships for many years we were looking forward to a successful season - our first swimmers at National Championships for over 10 years and our 75th Club Champs.
We've tried to keep our members engaged, active and motivated. But they really want to swim!
Throughout the COVID pandemic we have been unable to train. Whilst our income and operational costs fell significantly we continued to pay our Coaches so that they would remain engaged and active with the Club and its members. They have produced training plans and arranged social activities - quizzes and virtual get togethers.
Once outdoor training was permitted we were able to get some of our members together to provide training on land in a secure environment. We are grateful to Wellingborough Open Archery Club who offered us their archery range for training when they were not shooting.
Training in water was more of a challenge!
Pools are open, aren't they?
We normally train in 4 different pools. The only one that is opening soon is a 30 mile round trip, and we have access for less than 3 hours per week. The other pools may open in late September, November and January.
We have been fortunate to gain access to another pool so we can return to training. Again, we've been able to work with another Club, Northampton Swimming Club, to make this happen. This pool is a 35 mile round trip and some members just cannot make it work, either because of the distance or a change in their personal circumstances.
90% of our members said they want to return as soon as possible. They miss the pool and their friends. But the increased cost of travel makes it impossible for some who have found themselves disadvantaged during the COVID pandemic.
Why are we Crowd Funding?
The amount of pool time available to us is significantly reduced, and the number of people permitted in the pool at any one time is limited. We cannot offer a full programme and as such we cannot expect our members to pay the training rate pre-COVID. In addition, some of our members are unable to return to training, either because of the need to travel or a change in personal circumstances.
We've had to cancel our Club Championships which, as well as being the highlight of our year, is a valuable source of income for us.
The reduced numbers in the pool and reduced income do not cover our pool hire and coaching expenses which will have an impact on the ability of the Club to offer training to its members.
In addition, we want to be as inclusive as possible. We have members that are unable to commit to pay for training fees. The Club aims to set up an Assistance Fund to allow every member to return to the pool if they wish.
We've set a target of £5000 and we hope that Sport England will match fund half of this through the Active Together scheme.
Anyone that makes a donation of £10 or more will be included in our prize draw to win this framed T-shirt signed by 8-time Olympic Gold medalist Usain Bolt.
Sport England: Active Together has provided £2,500 of match funding
This project successfully funded on 7th September 2020