Join the Cotswold League
A unique swimming league focused on development, sporting spirit, and providing a platform for less experienced swimmers to compete.
Unlicensed, team-first competition with full league support for clubs and volunteers.
Our Ethos
The Cotswold League is built for development first. We give less experienced swimmers a supportive, team-focused race environment where confidence can grow.
Relaxed Competition
Our galas are unlicensed, keeping race nights structured but less intense for newer swimmers and families.
Learning Environment
Swimmers build race confidence, team habits, and event knowledge through regular season competition.
Sportsmanship
We value positive, respectful racing and a friendly rivalry that supports all clubs in the league.
How the League Operates
4 Rounds & Finals
Preliminary rounds run Jan-March. Points accumulate to determine placement in the A, B, or C Finals in April.
Hosting Duties
It is a condition of membership that every club hosts one round and attends three others each season.
Governance
The league is run by a committee of 4 teams, randomly selected at the AGM. New clubs are exempt in year 1.
Fees
Membership fees and payment dates are confirmed to clubs by the league for each season.
Why Clubs Choose Cotswold
SwimLeagueOS for the league
All software needed to operate in the league is provided to member clubs. The Cotswold League runs on SwimLeagueOS, a product from SwimNexus, rather than Meet Manager, helping reduce cost and setup barriers for teams. See the spectator and organiser features.
Volunteer Development
We actively encourage new volunteers to get involved with timekeeping and recording. Many clubs use the Cotswold League as a great pathway for training race-night officials.
Finals Recognition
All teams receive trophies at the Finals, celebrating contribution and season performance across every level of the league.
Team Portal Access
Member teams gain access to dedicated team portals with fixtures, resources, downloads, and operational information in one location.
Strong Club Promotion
Clubs are promoted heavily across our website and social channels. The league now generates 100,000+ views over a season, giving excellent visibility to member teams.
Clear, Structured Racing
Each gala runs a clear 53-event programme lasting just 2 hours with age-group and relay racing, giving swimmers consistent team-competition experience throughout the season.
Membership Priority
The league is capped at 20 clubs to ensure efficient gala management. When vacancies arise, we adhere to a strict priority policy:
- Priority 1: Independent local clubs with a desire to allow lower level swimmers entries into competitive swimming events.
- Secondary: 'B' teams from higher-ranked clubs are considered only if no independent local clubs are on the waiting list.
Interested in Joining?
While vacancies are rare due to our 20-club cap, we maintain an active waiting list. Applications are reviewed at the AGM.