Gateshead & Whickham Swim Team

About us

Gateshead & Whickham Swim Team has enjoyed over 100 years history in the region, which we are extremely proud of. Over this time, we’ve added real value to the lives of our swimmers as well a sense of community to everyone involved. 

We provide structured, coached training sessions across a broad age range and six swimming groups, including Learn to Swim, Competition groups and Masters.  

The majority of our junior swimmers and some of our masters swimmers compete regularly in local, regional, national and international galas and championships.  

We enable all swimmers to develop their confidence, independence and self-discipline as well as their swimming skills, whilst our masters section enables adult swimmers who don’t compete to improve their fitness and well-being.  We also help swimmers develop a strong team ethic and a love for the sport.  Individuals who develop these attributes through swimming will often retain these throughout their lives.

Our swimmers mostly come from the Gateshead borough, which includes several areas of social and economic deprivation. We currently have more female swimmers than male swimmers, and our squads include many individuals from minority ethnic groups and also some with disabilities. 

Our members include approximately 300 parents of junior swimmers and learners, many of whom support the club at galas and with fundraising. Our committee includes representatives for each swimming group, as well as a chairperson, vice chair, secretary, treasurer, operations manager and child welfare officer.