Who we are
Mission & Club History
What the club sets out to do, and the sixty years of swimming in Basildon that got us here.
Our mission is to promote the teaching, development and practice of competitive swimming in the South Essex area.
We aim to achieve this by providing:
A friendly and welcoming atmosphere
Where individuals are encouraged to develop to their maximum potential in a safe, supportive and caring environment.
Teaching and development programmes
Appropriate to a variety of levels, from swimming novice through to national competition.
A high technical standard
Teaching and coaching of swimming techniques to a high technical standard.
Opportunities to compete
For our members to swim competitively at a standard appropriate to their own capability.
A route into teaching and officiating
Opportunities and encouragement for individuals to progress into the areas of swim teaching, coaching and officiating, thereby contributing to the future development of the sport.
New to the club, or thinking about joining? See how to join us, or read about our coaches and squads.
Swimming clubs in Basildon go back to the early 1960s. What follows is how two of them became one — and where the orange and black came from.
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1963
Origins and early years
The history of swimming clubs in Basildon dates back to the early 1960s, during a period of significant development in the town. Recognising the need for recreational facilities, local authorities prioritised the creation of swimming amenities, leading to the establishment of Basildon Swimming Club in May 1963. The club quickly grew, attracting over a hundred members despite the challenge of lacking a dedicated swimming pool. For its first five years it trained at Barstable Grammar School’s pool, which had limited facilities but served as a crucial foundation.
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1968
A pool of our own at Gloucester Park
In 1966, the council resolved years of deliberation by announcing the construction of a swimming complex near Basildon Town Centre in Gloucester Park. The complex opened in April 1968 with a 33⅓m pool and a smaller teaching pool, providing essential facilities for both competitive and instructional swimming. These modern amenities significantly boosted the club’s profile, allowing it to run advanced training programmes and host competitions.
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1970s–80s
Growth and competition
The 1970s and 1980s marked a period of significant growth. The new facilities attracted more members, and the club began to establish itself competitively, taking part in regional and national competitions. This era saw training programmes expand and competitive performance improve, laying the groundwork for future success.
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1990s
A temporary split, and reformation
The early 1990s were a turbulent time, with a temporary split that saw a faction training at Lake Meadows in Billericay. Despite this division the club quickly reformed, reflecting its resilience and its commitment to serving the community. In this period it was renamed Basildon & District Swimming Club, reflecting a broader community base and aligning with regional development.
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2000
Two clubs: Basildon and Phoenix
In May 2000, Basildon & District Swimming Club split into Phoenix Swimming Club and Basildon Swimming Club, driven by organisational differences and divergent visions for the future of competitive swimming. Phoenix focused on high-performance, competitive swimming, aiming to produce elite athletes; Basildon adopted a broader, inclusive approach, emphasising community programmes and opportunities for swimmers of all ages and abilities. Both clubs operated independently throughout the 2000s, regularly competing at galas at Gloucester Park.
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2011
Basildon Sporting Village — a new era
In 2005 the pool’s long-term future was thrown into doubt when plans were announced for a ‘centre of sporting excellence’ including a 50m international-size pool at the northern end of Gloucester Park. It became known as the Sporting Village; construction got under way in 2009, and Gloucester Park swimming pool closed on Sunday 24th April 2011. Its replacement inside Basildon Sporting Village opened the following weekend, on Saturday 30th April 2011.
Part of a major investment in local sports infrastructure, the village features an Olympic-sized swimming pool, a 100-station gym, athletics tracks and a range of other amenities. It has become a premier destination for athletes and sports enthusiasts across the region.
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2011
The merger — and the orange and black
In 2011, Basildon Swimming Club and Phoenix Swimming Club merged to form Basildon & Phoenix Swimming Club. The merger pooled resources, widened competitive opportunities and streamlined operations to better serve swimming in Basildon, with the newly formed club benefiting from the larger and more advanced facilities at the Sporting Village. The Olympic-sized pool let the club take on far more swimmers and run comprehensive training programmes.
The early years focused on integrating the members, coaches and cultures of the two original clubs, with new training schedules, coaching staff and competitive teams to establish. New colours were chosen too: inspired somewhat by the local taxi colour scheme, the club combined the yellow and black of Basildon with the red of Phoenix to form the orange and black identity we wear today.
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Today
Legacy and future
Since its formation the club has seen substantial growth in both membership and achievement. Training programmes were strengthened by experienced coaches, many with backgrounds in competitive swimming at high levels, and that expertise has lifted performance and brought notable successes in regional and national competition.
From the formation of the original Basildon Swimming Club in 1963 to the modern facilities at Basildon Sporting Village, the clubs have played a vital role in promoting swimming and fostering athletic excellence in the region. Today, Basildon & Phoenix Swimming Club stands as a testament to that legacy, ready to continue its tradition of excellence and community service well into the future.