Bluefins 15+ Retention Trend (2021–2025)

December 2025

Keeping teenagers engaged in swimming is one of the biggest challenges across the sport. National research consistently shows high dropout rates during the mid-teens, with many swimmers stepping away from the sport due to pressure, school commitments, or loss of enjoyment.

Against this backdrop, Bluefins has achieved something rare: five consecutive years of growth in our 15+ age group.

From 2021 to 2025, our senior swimmers have risen from 27 to 58, with consistent increases across the Performance, Competitive/County, and Fitness pathways.

Most clubs see their teenage numbers fall sharply — often halving between ages 14–17. Bluefins has moved in the opposite direction, more than doubling the number of swimmers aged 15+.

Year-by-Year Pathway Breakdown (15+ Swimmers)

Year	Total	Performance	Competitive& County	Fitness
2025	58	27	20	9
2024	44	12	25	7
2023	39	12	22	5
2022	33	10	15	8
2021	27	8	17	2

Across this period, Bluefins has more than doubled the number of swimmers aged 15+ at a life stage where most clubs see decline.

What the Five-Year Trend Shows

1. Retention is rising every single year

27 → 33 → 39 → 44 → 58 A consistent upward trend rarely seen nationally.

2. Performance Pathway growth is exceptional

Many clubs lose performance swimmers after age 15. Bluefins has grown from 8 to 27, and the sharp rise in 2025 reflects both swimmer progression and a major structural update to the pathway.

During 2025, Bluefins introduced a refreshed Performance structure to support the increasing number of swimmers reaching performance standards. This included:

• clearer, age-appropriate progression routes

• improved alignment across the senior pathways

• increased access to Performance coaching

• expanded opportunities for swimmers ready for higher-level training

As more swimmers achieved Performance benchmarks, the strengthened pathway enabled smooth and sustainable transitions.

Combined with reduced dropout during GCSE/college years and a culture that supports long-term ambition, this explains the significant growth seen in 2025.

This level of senior performance engagement is unusual nationally.

3. Competitive/County Pathway remains healthy

This pathway consistently retains swimmers who want structured training without performance-level commitment.

The shifts in numbers, especially from 2024 to 2025, reflect redistribution across pathways rather than dropout, with swimmers moving into Performance or Junior Masters.

Many clubs lose these swimmers entirely; Bluefins continues to support them.

4. Fitness Pathway is a major retention driver

Growing from 2 to 9, this pathway offers:

• a pressure-free route

• social connection

• regular training without competition demands

Each Fitness swimmer represents a saved dropout — someone who might have otherwise left the sport completely.

Few clubs offer a structured teenage fitness route, making this a significant driver of long-term retention.

The Role of Junior Masters in Teenage Retention

A major contributor to Bluefins’ retention success is the creation of Junior Masters — a pathway designed specifically for swimmers in the mid-teen years, when dropout is highest nationally.

Junior Masters gives teenagers:

• flexibility during exams, work, and changing schedules

• a reduced-pressure environment

• a social, supportive approach to training

• the freedom to stay active without competition requirements

• autonomy and ownership of how they train

The programme attracts:

• swimmers balancing multiple commitments

• those wanting a fitness-focused approach

• former members returning after time away

Importantly, Junior Masters forms a bridge into adult Masters swimming, supporting lifelong participation — something very few clubs achieve consistently.

It has become one of Bluefins’ strongest strategies for keeping teenagers connected to the sport.

What Research Tells Us

• Dropout during the mid-teen years is consistently high across sport. Systematic Review of Youth Swimming Participation (PMC)

• The most common reasons for leaving the sport include academic pressure, reduced enjoyment, and difficulty balancing training demands. Queen’s University Belfast Motivation & Dropout Study (Pure)

• Retention improves when swimmers are offered flexibility, social connection, and pathways that match their motivation and life stage. Widely reported across national youth sport participation studies

Bluefins’ multi-pathway structure — Performance, Competitive/County, Fitness, and Junior Masters — directly addresses these evidence-based factors.

Why Bluefins Stands Out Nationally

Bluefins is emerging as one of the most successful clubs nationally at retaining teenage swimmers.

This success is driven by:

• five consecutive years of retention growth

• pathways that support different motivations

• age-appropriate coaching and expectations

• reduced pressure during exam-heavy years

• the creation of Junior Masters

• a strong sense of identity and belonging

While many clubs across the country see teenage numbers fall, Bluefins’ numbers continue to rise — every year.

This is the hallmark of a modern, development-focused club where teenagers don’t just join…they stay.

💙 Discover Bluefins

At Bluefins, we’re proud to celebrate every swimmer’s pathway — from the youngest in our Skills Academy to our performance squads chasing big goals. ✨ Come and see what makes our club special: exceptional quality coaching, community spirit, pathways of progression, and performance success stories. 🚀 Contact our amazing Ali to discuss pathways and arrange a trial - Find out more at bbfsc.org - Your journey starts here.