A.S.A. registration and numbers is often a topic of poolside conversation and questions. Hopefully, this information from our A.S.A. Secretary might help to clarify things a little!

What is the A.S.A. and why do I need to be registered with it?

The Amateur Swimming Association is the English national governing body for swimming, diving, water polo, open water and synchronised swimming. It organises competition throughout England, establishes the laws of the sport and operates certification and education programmes for teachers, coaches and officials as well the Learn To Swim Awards scheme. All swimmers who enter National, District, County or Local Association Championships or Competitions, Open Meets or Swimming Leagues must register with the A.S.A. before they compete. For competitions of this type you will need an A.S.A. number for your entry form.

Who needs to be registered?

As far as the City of Bradford Swimming Club is concerned, any swimmer who is eligible to compete in any of these external competitions must make sure that they have registered with the A.S.A.

In addition, any parents of swimmers under 18 need to become social members if they are to be involved in the club on their behalf. The cost of this is currently included in the junior swimmers membership fees but you do need to tell us if you are already registered as a parent member at another club.

How do I go about getting registered?

Registration with the A.S.A. is only done via Swimming Clubs. You can do this directly through the City of Bradford Swimming Club, or you can do it through your other swimming club (if there is one). You can tell the A.S.A. that you are a member of both clubs by using a “Multi Club” Registration Form”, or just join on behalf of one club via a “Single Club Registration Form”. Let jour club A.S.A. secretary know which one you want. You would normally join the A.S.A. through the club you have been a member of for the longest time, but this is due to be reviewed. The multi-club form should be signed by the A.S.A. Secretary of the other club , or clubs if there is more than one, before being returned to our CoB A.S.A. Secretary.

What is my ASA Number and what does it mean?

The old GB registration number consisting of numbers and letters has now been replaced by a numeric only registration number generated automatically by the ASA database. The online ranking system now uses the new numeric registration number and, as ASA Law 407 requires competitors to enter their registration number on all entry forms, you must start using the new numeric registration number from now on.

 You will have been issued with a card with these details on by the club that does your ASA registration.

 The ASA will keep a record of your swims at graded meets by using this number so always check it carefully against entry forms etc.

How much is it going to cost me?

The membership fee for open competition swimmers is £18.00 per person for 2007. (Please note; membership renewals will be sent to your first named club and not to you, so if you have not received yours by the end of January or beginning of February, please check - but be aware, this may be later depending on when the A.S.A. decide on fees.) I will send membership renewals to everyone who is registered through CoB and these should be returned directly to me (not to the coaches!). Please make sure that you return this promptly - without requiring reminders - otherwise I will assume registration is not required and will return it to the ASA which will mean that you will not be eligible to swim out at galas for the club

I applied for Membership and I’ve heard nothing for ages? What should I do?

This year the A.S.A. has been updating their database so it has taken longer than normal. If you are a new member it should normally take about a month. If you join during the year it will probably take one or two weeks.

Do I need to do anything else?

It was a requirement of A.S.A. doping procedures that all swimmers registered to take part in open competition, and who took regular medication for asthma, had to send these details for inclusion on their registration record each year.

This has now changed. Once asthma has been diagnosed a treatment has been started, it is mandatory that athletes attending British Swimming national events i.e. National Age Groups, British Swimming championships etc., declare this to the A.S.A together with the details of the medication that they are taking. This is essential to avoid falling foul of Doping Control regulations. The notification must be done on an annual basis. Any subsequent changes in medication should also be notified.

Remember: if you are at this swimming standard and have asthma or any other medical condition requiring regular medication, it is your responsibility to keep the ASA informed.

And if I have any other questions...?

Please do not hesitate to contact me,

Linda O’Donohoe

on 01274 675403

e-mail asasec@cobsc.co.uk

If there is a problem that I cannot solve, I will contact the ASA registration department for you.