County Development is the first step on the County Pathway, where swimmers aged 9–14 learn to handle tougher sessions, race more often, and measure themselves against County standards.

Swim England and Aquatics GB encourage a balanced approach to competition.Young swimmers should experience a range of strokes and distances, including 400 m, 800 m and 1500 m freestyle, to build a strong foundation for future success in the sport. Early distance exposure isn’t about specialising — it develops complete swimmers with the fitness, pacing control and resilience needed to progress confidently through the sport.

If your child is in our Skills Academy, Competitive Development, or County Development Squads, you may have already come across Swim England Rankings. This is often the first moment swimming feels “official” — times appear online, filters sort results, and suddenly every swim has a number attached to it. 🏊‍♂️📲

For many families, joining the Skills Academy is the entry point into the world of club swimming. It can feel a little different from lessons — structured sets, squads, lane etiquette, Bluefins kit.

From Lessons to Squads — The Next Step Swimming lessons give children a fantastic foundation. They learn the strokes, gain water confidence, and start to enjoy the rhythm of regular swimming. But many families reach a stage where lessons alone no longer feel enough. Lanes can be crowded, age ranges are wide, and the opportunity for progress starts to feel limited.