Funding

Dorset County ASA (DCASA) policy on funding applications is as follows:

County Association funding shall be for the benefit of, and for activities solely accessed by, members of not-for-profit clubs affiliated to the County Association.
It is DCASA policy to fund development activities not individuals, clubs or other organisations.
Development activities not run by DCASA may be considered for funding if open to and accessed by all or the majority of County clubs and could not be supplied by DCASA for the same cost or less.
DCASA policy is to support voluntary teaching and coaching activities and not fund development activities where the coaches are paid over and above the normal remuneration from their clubs.
DCASA will reimburse mileage for coaches providing services at DCASA development activities where applicable and provided reimbursement has been agreed in advance.
Funding applications from individuals may be considered provided that application is for first selection by GB/England only. Application must be made in writing to the County Secretary with full details disclosed for consideration.
Funding is not available to attend open meets, training camps or other training activities.
Funding is not available for any activity that is deemed to be the responsibility of the club to provide.
In cases of hardship individuals seeking funding should in the first instance apply to the home club.

For full details of funding policy refer to the DCASA Policy & Operating Procedure document on the County website. All sources of funding, including the home club of the applicant, must be declared. Clubs and applicants found not declaring additional funding will not be eligible to apply for funding thereafter.

Swim England South West Bursary

The Swim England South West Bursary is as follows:

Note – the Swim England South West Bursary is currently under review.

Open to active volunteers in SwimMark accredited affiliated clubs for funding towards an IoS/UKCC course for teachers and coaches of any aquatic discipline under the jurisdiction of Swim England.
Bursaries are discretionary and there is a limited amount available for funding, therefore not all applicants will be successful. The volunteering practice of the applicant will be taken into consideration.
The total number of applications from a single club in a financial year (January-December) is limited to three of which one application per individual per financial year will be considered.
Retrospective applications made after the course has been completed will only be considered if the course took place in the same financial year as the bursary application is made.
Application must be made via DCASA using the DCASA Bursary Form and not direct to Swim England South West.
Bursaries will only be paid on receipt of proof that the applicant has successfully completed the course by submission of the awarded certificate, and will only be paid direct to the home club of the applicant.

Funding is a maximum of £100 for a Level 1 Teachers/Assistant Swimming Coach course, £200 for a Level 2 Teachers/Swimming Coach course and £400 for a Club Coach course (subject to satisfying DCASA conditions for the award). Applicants typically receive £50 for a Level 1/Assistant Swimming Coach course, £100 for a Level 2/Swimming Coach course and £200 for a Club Coach course, which is then match-funded by DCASA. Funding for a discounted closed course may be considered and will be pro rata to the cost of the undiscounted course.

Dorset County ASA Bursary

The Dorset County Bursary is as follows:

Open to active members of clubs affiliated to DCASA for IoS/UKCC courses for teachers and coaches of any aquatic discipline under the jurisdiction of Swim England. Applications will only be considered from non-commercial organisations affiliated to DCASA.
Bursaries are discretionary and there is a limited amount available for funding, therefore not all applicants will be successful. The volunteering practice applicants will be taken into consideration.
The total number of applications from a single club in a financial year (January-December) is limited to three of which one application per individual per financial year will be considered. Additional bursaries may be awarded at the discretion of DCASA only in exceptional circumstances and by the agreement of DCASA.
Retrospective applications made after the course has been completed will only be considered if the course took place in the same financial year as the bursary application is made.
Bursaries will only be paid on receipt of proof that the applicant has successfully completed the course by submission of the awarded certificate to the County Secretary, and will only be paid direct to the home club of the applicant.
For an application form for a Teacher & Coach Bursary click here – DCASA Teacher & Coach Bursary 2026

Funding for IoS/UKCC courses is a maximum of £50 for a Level 1 Teachers/Assistant Swimming Coach course, £100 for a L2 Teachers/Swimming Coach course and £200 for a Club Coach course undertaken by a volunteer coach where the home club has also supported the application with funding. Funding for a discounted closed course may be considered and will be pro rata to the cost of the undiscounted course.

Skills Development

Funding for the Swim England Land Based Coach course is a maximum of £200 and clubs are limited to one application per club per year. Funding for all other relevant skills-based courses will be considered on an individual basis. For an application for a Skills Development Bursary click here – DCASA Skills Development Bursary 2026

CPD Courses

Swim England Time to Listen Workshops for Club Welfare Officers, the Foundation Safeguarding for Young People (under 16s) and Team Manager Workshops are currently available free of charge online via Swim England South West. From January 2026, the Swim England Safeguarding in Aquatics Workshops will cost £20 pp. Further information on workshops and courses is available at https://www.swimwest.org.uk/workshops-forumsFunding is not available for any other CPD courses, first aid courses, or lifeguard training.

Dorset Officials

Swimming Officials training is currently fully funded at all levels by Swim England South West. The cost of relicensing for a qualified and licensed Swimming Official who is a member of a club affiliated to DCASA will be paid by DCASA for volunteers who officiate at DCASA competitions on a regular basis. Funding is available for Open Water Officials Level 1/Level 2 training courses once the applicant has successfully completed the introductory classroom and practical session. Funding is available for Water Polo Officials courses; application should be made to DCASA via the DCASA Water Polo Secretary.

Funding & Bursaries