How to join Newham Swimming Club

Information and standards required of swimmers wishing to join the London Borough of Newham Swimming Club

Newham Swimming Club is a competitive club so trials are every Friday held at East Ham Leisure Centre for anyone wishing to join the club. Anyone who believes him or herself to be capable of the standards listed below is able ask for a trial.

For those currently on a Learn to Swim programme in Newham or another borough entry to the Club would be on successful completion of a minimum of Stage 7 of the National Plan for Teaching Swimming (NPTS), or more usually recommendation by a school or a GLL swimming teacher on completion of Stage 8. Whichever path you take you will need to attend a trial to be considered for joining the Club.

All trials are held at East Ham Leisure Centre at 7.00 pm, every Friday. Contact Richard Gordon, the Club's Deputy Head Coach, on 07915 270 702 in advance if you would like to attend.

Entry Standards

For entry to the Newham Swimming Club all swimmers must be able to:

• swim 200 metres (8 lengths) using freestyle (often called front crawl), backstroke and breaststroke
• swim using good technique and complete each length without stopping
• demostrate a basic knowledge of butterfly.
• complete 4 lengths in each of front crawl, backstroke and breaststroke in under 1 minute per length, using only legs to propel themselves
• swim 8 x 1 length on a drill as instructed set by coach, e.g freestyle using a single arm.
• swim 2 continuous lengths in 1 minute 45 seconds in each of freestyle, backstroke and breaststroke

Clothing and equipment needed for the trial

All swimmers must use the correct swim wear, as follows

• Boy’s swimming trunks not shorts or beach wear.
• Girl’s one piece swimming costume and swimming hat
• goggles (compulsory)

All other equipment required for the trial, e.g. floats, will be provided.

If you do not attend with the correct swim wear you will not be able to take part in the trial.