About Us
In June 2009 Sports Leisure Management (SLM) took over the running of sports facilities for West Lindsey District Council, the Leisure Centre coming under their remit. At that time, three swimming clubs and the centre’s own Swim School all operated out of the facility, competing with each other for swimmers and pool time.
Swimming clubs have existed in Gainsborough for many years, both Gainsborough Ladies and Gainsborough Swimming clubs for over 100 years, and Trenton Dolphins for over 30 years.
In August 2009 a group of representatives from the 3 clubs began engaging in discussions with SLM with a view to securing pool time and a better financial arrangement. SLM indicated that as a national management company their operating procedures were biased towards single clubs and those accredited with Swim 21.
(Swim 21 is an ASA lead accreditation, like a kite mark, to achieve a prescribed level of quality of club management including teaching and coaching)
It was from these discussions that a decision was made to form a new swimming club in Gainsborough, closing the three existing clubs, and to invite members of the three clubs to be founder members of the new club – GAINSBOROUGH DOLPHINS SWIMMING CLUB.
The Club is run by a Management Team made up of volunteers who, with a group of volunteer teachers and coaches, aim to provide the best in swim teaching and competitive swimming whilst taking all reasonable steps to safeguard children and members.
The club operates a defined pool use structure with clear expectations for each teaching group and criteria for progression. There is a variety of pathways to follow depending upon the needs/desires of the swimmer, e.g. fitness swimming or competitive swimming. The new club caters for all ages and abilities, from young learn to swim children through to mature swimmers with a Masters section and competitive swimming, in a friendly, caring, secure, learning environment where the individual is valued and their needs respected.
GAINSBOROUGH DOLPHINS SWIMMING CLUB competes in the Lincolnshire Junior League, the National Swimming League sponsored by Arena and the Squadrons. The aims are to achieve times to allow swimmers to compete in the Counties, Midlands and the Nationals meets.
We hope that whilst swimming with the club members learn to swim, improve their technique and were it is the swimmers choice, work towards representing the club competitively. But above all you enjoy your time with the club.
The Management Team are rightly proud of the club and want you as swimmers and members to be similarly proud and for you to give support and commitment to the club and your fellow members.