Swimming
Our partnership with Winchester City Swimming Club
At the heart of our elite swimming programme is a unique partnership between the University of Winchester and Winchester City Swimming Club. This collaboration enables student-athletes to pursue a high-quality university education while training and competing with one of the South's most established competitive swimming clubs.
Following a joint assessment, eligible students can join the Winchester City Swimming Club programme best suited to their event profile, competitive level and development needs: Performance 1, Performance Sprint or County. Students accepted onto the University's Elite Sport Programme (ESP) receive a substantial reduction in the Club's monthly training fee and become fully integrated into the appropriate training environment.
With access to the 50 m pool at Winchester Sport & Leisure Park, expert coaching, sport science support, strength and conditioning, sport therapy and performance psychology, student-athletes benefit from a holistic programme designed to maximise both academic and athletic potential. Regular joint reviews between the University and the Club ensure that each swimmer receives appropriate, individualised support, with progress considered across technical, physical, academic and behavioural standards.
This close integration of education and competitive sport creates a genuine dual-career pathway, allowing students to pursue ambitious goals in the pool without compromising their university education.
What all ESP swimmers receive
In addition to the swimming and land-based training provided through their Winchester City Swimming Club programme, student-athletes accepted onto the University's Elite Sport Programme receive:
- Free access to the University's Sport Therapy Clinic.
- Free strength and conditioning support, with multiple weekly training opportunities overseen by qualified strength and conditioning coaches.
- Free access to the University gym.
- Physiological performance testing before, during and after the competitive season in the University's sport and exercise physiology laboratory.
- Academic and lifestyle support through the Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme (TASS) Dual Career programme.
- Regular reviews involving the University and Winchester City Swimming Club to monitor progress and coordinate support.
Swimming programmes
Performance 1
Performance 1 is Winchester City Swimming Club's highest-volume programme. It is designed for swimmers seeking to progress from South East Regional level to English and British National competition, with training tailored primarily towards 100-200 m and 400 m-plus events.
The programme combines a substantial endurance base with individualised technical, physical, tactical and psychological preparation. Its purpose is to help committed swimmers maximise their potential from youth into senior-level swimming and perform at key national competitions, from the British Championships in April through to the Summer Nationals.
Training provision
- Up to nine structured training sessions each week.
- 6 hours of long-course pool training each week.
- 5 hours of short-course pool training each week.
- 5 hours of land-based and gym training each week.
- 5 total training hours each week.
- Typical weekly swimming volume of 50-60 km.
- Enhanced technical development across all four strokes and the individual medley, with event specialisation appropriate to the swimmer's stage of development.
Entry and programme requirements
- Minimum competitive standard: South East Regional Championships qualifier in the preceding season.
- Desired competitive standard: English or British National qualifier.
- Swimming standard: able to complete 18 x 100 m freestyle on a 1:25 turnaround.
- Attendance: a minimum of 75% attendance in the previous squad or season and throughout the programme.
- Competition commitments: Hampshire County Championships, South East Regional Championships, two Level 1 meets between March and May, and Summer National events. Swimmers must also represent the Club in league competitions and relay teams when selected.
- Technical standard: able to execute starts, transitions, breakouts, turns and finishes to a high standard and demonstrate strong technical ability across all four strokes.
- Progression expectation: swimmers entering at Regional level should achieve National-level qualification within two seasons, subject to coach review.
- Indicative age range: girls aged 13 and above and boys aged 14 and above. Age is a guide; biological development and individual readiness will also be considered.
Monthly training fee
- University Elite Sport Programme fee: £120 per month.
Performance Sprint
Performance Sprint is designed for swimmers whose main competitive events are 50 m and 100 m races. The programme provides the volume, intensity and specialist preparation needed to progress from Hampshire County level towards Regional and English National qualification.
Training places greater emphasis on anaerobic development, speed, power and the technical demands of sprint racing, alongside targeted strength and conditioning, tactical preparation and performance psychology.
Training provision
- Up to nine structured training sessions each week.
- 5 hours of long-course pool training each week.
- 5 hours of short-course pool training each week.
- 5 hours of land-based and gym training each week.
- 14 total training hours each week.
- Typical weekly swimming volume of 30-40 km.
- Enhanced execution of all four strokes over 50 m and 100 m, with specialisation matched to the swimmer's stage of development and strongest events.
Entry and programme requirements
- Minimum competitive standard: Hampshire County Championships qualifier in the preceding season.
- Desired competitive standard: Regional or English National qualifier.
- Swimming standard: able to complete 12 x 100 m freestyle on a 1:25 turnaround.
- Attendance: a minimum of 75% attendance in the previous squad or season and throughout the programme.
- Competition commitments: Hampshire County Championships, South East Regional Championships, two Level 1 meets between March and May, and Summer National events or an agreed end-of-season target meet. Swimmers must also represent the Club in league competitions and relay teams when selected.
- Technical standard: able to execute starts, transitions, breakouts, turns and finishes to a high standard and demonstrate strong technical ability across all four strokes.
- Progression expectation: swimmers entering at County level should achieve Regional-level qualification within two seasons, subject to coach review.
- Indicative age range: girls aged 13 and above and boys aged 14 and above. Age is a guide; biological development and individual readiness will also be considered.
Monthly training fee
- University Elite Sport Programme fee: £100 per month.
County
The County programme offers a flexible competitive pathway for swimmers who want to maintain a high standard of swimming alongside university study, other sports or wider commitments. It is particularly well suited to multi-sport athletes.
The programme's main competitive aim is qualification for the Hampshire County Swimming Championships, although progression beyond County level is achievable. Training emphasises aerobic development, technical proficiency across all four strokes and the individual medley, and the development of the physical and technical foundations required for continued progression.
Training provision
- Up to seven structured training sessions each week: six pool sessions and one land-based session.
- 5 hours of long-course pool training each week.
- 75 hours of short-course pool training each week.
- 1 hour of land-based training each week.
- 25 total training hours each week.
- Technical development across all four strokes and the individual medley.
Entry and programme requirements
- Competitive level: pre-County to County level, with Hampshire County qualification as the principal target.
- Swimming standard: able to complete 10 x 100 m freestyle on a 1:45 turnaround and swim 200 m freestyle and 200 m individual medley proficiently, with good technique and turns.
- Attendance: swimmers are advised to maintain at least 75% attendance throughout the season to support progression.
- Competition commitments: attendance at target meets at the end of training cycles and participation in at least eight competitive events during the swimming season. Swimmers are also expected to compete at the Club Championships and represent the Club in league and club galas when selected.
- Indicative age range: 13-18 years. Age is a guide; biological development and individual readiness will also be considered.
Monthly training fee
- University Elite Sport Programme fee: £90 per month.
Standards expected of every elite swimmer
Places on the programme are earned and retained through consistent standards in training, competition and academic life. Every swimmer is expected to:
- Maintain a positive, committed and self-motivated attitude.
- Set ambitious but achievable goals and respond constructively to challenging sessions and competitions.
- Communicate effectively with coaches, teammates and University support staff.
- Follow coaching instructions and apply full effort throughout every session.
- Execute the fundamentals consistently, including starts, transitions, breakouts, turns, finishes, push-offs, technique, breathing patterns and drills.
- Arrive punctually, with the correct equipment, and complete the required pre-pool, mobility and dynamic warm-up routines.
- Attend the sessions agreed with the lead coach and notify the coach before any session they cannot attend.
- Represent Winchester City Swimming Club when selected and comply with the Club's swimmer code of conduct.
Attendance, punctuality, attitude, application, technical standards and competitive progress are monitored throughout the season. Formal reviews take place every three months. A swimmer may be moved to a more appropriate programme if the required standards are not maintained.
Apply or find out more
Entry is subject to a joint assessment by the University of Winchester and Winchester City Swimming Club. Meeting the minimum criteria allows a swimmer to be considered for a place but does not guarantee selection.
To find out more or begin an application, email elitesport@winchester.ac.uk.