Booking Now Open for the 2026–2027 Regional 14–16 Years Development Programme

Swim England South West is delighted to announce that bookings are now open for the 2026–2027 Regional 14–16 Years Development Programme.

Following the success of the programme in 2025–2026, which saw around 160 athletes from across the region take part, the programme returns this season with an exciting new format, including a one-day development camp and a 2½-day residential camp.

The programme has been developed to provide additional opportunities for athletes within the 14–16 age group who are progressing through the sport, particularly those who are not currently selected for National Programmes.

Programme Overview

Athletes selected for the programme will be invited to attend two development opportunities during the 2026–2027 season.

One-Day Development Camp

📅 Wednesday 28 October 2026
📍 Hutton Moor Leisure Centre, Weston-super-Mare

The one-day camp will provide athletes with an opportunity to train alongside swimmers from across the South West and experience a regional development environment.

The day will include a combination of:

• Pool-based training
• Land-based training
• Athlete education
• Development opportunities delivered by Regional Coaches and programme partners

2½-Day Residential Development Camp

The second element of the programme will be a 2½-day residential camp at Taunton School, with athletes split into two groups according to their age as at 31 December 2026.

14 Years

📅 Monday 6 April – Wednesday 8 April 2027

15–16 Years

📅 Wednesday 8 April – Friday 10 April 2027

The residential camp will provide an immersive training and development experience, with athletes staying on-site at Taunton School.

The programme will include:

• Multiple pool training sessions
• Gym/strength and conditioning sessions
• Athlete education
• Development sessions delivered by Regional Coaches
• Support from AP Race
• Opportunities to train and learn alongside athletes from across the South West
• On-site accommodation and meals

The residential format is a new opportunity for the Regional 14–16 Years Development Programme and is designed to give athletes the experience of a regional training environment while developing their swimming, physical preparation and wider athlete skills.

Who Can Apply?

Expressions of interest are open to athletes who meet the following criteria:

• Are aged 14–16 years as at 31 December 2026.
• Are a member of a Swim England affiliated club within the South West Region.
• Have achieved a minimum of County Qualifying time in the 200m Individual Medley (IM), or have achieved County Qualifying times in at least two other events.
• For the 200m IM, athletes must be slower than the relevant 2026 Swim England Summer Championships qualifying time for their age and gender, as detailed below.
• Are not currently selected for a Swim England National Programme.

200m Individual Medley – 2026 Summer Championships Qualifying Times

Please note: To be eligible for this development opportunity, athletes must be slower than the relevant 2026 Summer Championships qualifying time in the 200m IM.

The programme is intended to support athletes who are progressing beyond County level but who have not yet reached the qualifying standard for the Swim England Summer Championships. This reflects the Region's aim of providing further development opportunities for athletes who sit between County and National-level programmes.

What Can Athletes Expect?

The Regional 14–16 Years Development Programme provides athletes with the opportunity to:

• Experience training in a regional environment.
• Work with experienced Regional Coaches.
• Develop their swimming skills through targeted pool sessions.
• Improve their physical preparation through gym and land-based training.
• Take part in athlete education sessions.
• Train alongside other developing swimmers from across the South West.
• Experience their first regional residential training environment.

The programme builds on the success of the 2025–2026 14–16 Years Development Camps, which engaged approximately 160 athletes across the region.

Bookings

Athletes who meet the eligibility criteria are invited to submit a booking for the programme.

https://buy.orderwhizz.com/36/events/swim-england-south-west-14-16-yrs-development-programme-booking

Closing date: Friday 2nd October 2026 

Places will be limited and athletes will be selected following the submission of expressions of interest.

Further information regarding selection, costs, timings and arrangements will be provided to athletes who are selected for the programme.

We look forward to welcoming the next group of South West 14–16 Years Development Programme athletes and providing them with an exciting opportunity to train, learn and develop alongside swimmers from across the region.