Get HCM digital magazine and ezines FREE
Sign up here ▸
Jobs   News   Features   Products   Magazine      Advertise  
NEWS
ASA relaxes swimwear rules to encourage new competitors
POSTED 03 Mar 2017 . BY Matthew Campelli
Competitors will now be allowed to wear full bodysuits for religious reasons
In an attempt to appeal to a wider proportion of the public, the Amateur Swimming Association (ASA) will now allow swimmers to compete with full-body bathing suits.

The body has relaxed Regulation 411, which previously banned swimwear that covered the whole body.

New guidance means that swimmers who wish to wear full bodysuits for religious beliefs of medical conditions can compete at ASA national events.

The move has been hailed by the Muslim Women’s Sport Foundation.

Rimla Akhtar, chair of the body, said she was “extremely pleased with the outcome”.

“Participation in sport among Muslim women is increasing at a rapid pace,” she added. “It is imperative that governing bodies adapt and tailor their offerings to suit the changing landscape of sport, including those who access sport.”

Chair of the ASA Sport Governing Board, Chris Bostock, said: “We want everyone to be able to reach their potential. Representing your club at a national swimming competition is very special.

“By changing these rules we hope to encourage a new generation of swimmers.”
RELATED STORIES
  ASA launches swimming coach development programme


Fifteen swimming coaches from around the country have been chosen to take part in a new development programme devised by the Amateur Swimming Association (ASA).
  ASA chief executive Adam Paker departs


Adam Paker, the chief executive of the Amateur Swimming Association (ASA), has left the organisation.
  Team GB’s Olympic swimmers inspiring people to hit the pool


The Olympic success of Adam Peaty and Siobhan-Marie O’Connor is encouraging people to seek out their local swimming pool, according to the Amateur Swimming Association (ASA).
  Former Sport England chief Mike Farrar to chair ASA


The ASA (Amateur Swimming Association) has appointed Mike Farrar chair of the ASA Group Board.
MORE NEWS
Les Mills calls on the industry to support UNICEF
Global group exercise specialist, Les Mills, is inviting operators to sign up to its Workout for the World event on 20 June, in support of UNICEF.
HUM2N opens longevity clinic at Six Senses London
Global luxury hospitality brand, Six Senses, has partnered with longevity healthcare provider, HUM2N, to launch a clinic at Six Senses London, at The Whiteley.
KX Chelsea invests £15 million to upgrade its wellness offering
Premium London health club, KX Chelsea, will imminently unveil its most significant redevelopment since its launch in 2002 to create an integrated wellness model combining training, recovery and relaxation.
Researchers identify a drug which reduces muscle loss when using GLP-1 medications
Researchers in the US have identified an antibody which could greatly reduce the loss of lean muscle mass in people who are taking weight-loss medications.
+ More news   
LATEST JOBS
GP Exercise Referral Instructor
Everyone Active
Salary: £33,000pa + benefits
Job location: Harrow, Middlesex , United Kingdom
Self Employed Personal Trainer
Everyone Active
Salary: Competitive
Job location: Enderby
+ More jobs  

FEATURED SUPPLIERS

CoverMe extends matching service to personal training, rewriting how members and personal trainers connect
CoverMe, the global leader in fitness workforce management, today launches CoverMe PT, an on-demand personal training platform that connects the right personal trainer to the right client in under 10 seconds. [more...]

Elevate 2026 to mark 10-year anniversary with biggest ever waterfront drinks reception
Elevate is set to celebrate its 10th anniversary in style this June, with organisers confirming the event’s largest-ever drinks reception as registrations continue to run more than 10% ahead of last year. [more...]
+ More featured suppliers  
COMPANY PROFILES
Perfect Gym Solutions S.A.

Perfect Gym, part of the Sport Alliance group, is a global software provider specialising in fitness [more...]
Alliance Leisure

Alliance Leisure Services was specifically established to respond to the changing development need [more...]
+ More profiles  
CATALOGUE GALLERY
 
+ More catalogues  

DIRECTORY
+ More directory  
DIARY

 

15-18 Jun 2026

HLTH Europe

RAI Convention Centre, Amsterdam, Netherlands
17-18 Jun 2026

Elevate London

Excel London, London, United Kingdom
+ More diary  
 
ABOUT LEISURE MEDIA
LEISURE MEDIA MAGAZINES
LEISURE MEDIA HANDBOOKS
LEISURE MEDIA WEBSITES
LEISURE MEDIA PRODUCT SEARCH
 
HCM
LEISURE OPPORTUNITIES
HEALTH CLUB HANDBOOK
PRINT SUBSCRIPTIONS
FREE DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTIONS
ADVERTISE . CONTACT US

Leisure Media
Tel: +44 (0)1462 431385

©Cybertrek 2026
Get HCM digital magazine and ezines FREE
Sign up here ▸
Jobs    News   Products   Magazine
NEWS
ASA relaxes swimwear rules to encourage new competitors
POSTED 03 Mar 2017 . BY Matthew Campelli
Competitors will now be allowed to wear full bodysuits for religious reasons
In an attempt to appeal to a wider proportion of the public, the Amateur Swimming Association (ASA) will now allow swimmers to compete with full-body bathing suits.

The body has relaxed Regulation 411, which previously banned swimwear that covered the whole body.

New guidance means that swimmers who wish to wear full bodysuits for religious beliefs of medical conditions can compete at ASA national events.

The move has been hailed by the Muslim Women’s Sport Foundation.

Rimla Akhtar, chair of the body, said she was “extremely pleased with the outcome”.

“Participation in sport among Muslim women is increasing at a rapid pace,” she added. “It is imperative that governing bodies adapt and tailor their offerings to suit the changing landscape of sport, including those who access sport.”

Chair of the ASA Sport Governing Board, Chris Bostock, said: “We want everyone to be able to reach their potential. Representing your club at a national swimming competition is very special.

“By changing these rules we hope to encourage a new generation of swimmers.”
RELATED STORIES
ASA launches swimming coach development programme


Fifteen swimming coaches from around the country have been chosen to take part in a new development programme devised by the Amateur Swimming Association (ASA).
ASA chief executive Adam Paker departs


Adam Paker, the chief executive of the Amateur Swimming Association (ASA), has left the organisation.
Team GB’s Olympic swimmers inspiring people to hit the pool


The Olympic success of Adam Peaty and Siobhan-Marie O’Connor is encouraging people to seek out their local swimming pool, according to the Amateur Swimming Association (ASA).
Former Sport England chief Mike Farrar to chair ASA


The ASA (Amateur Swimming Association) has appointed Mike Farrar chair of the ASA Group Board.
MORE NEWS
Les Mills calls on the industry to support UNICEF
Global group exercise specialist, Les Mills, is inviting operators to sign up to its Workout for the World event on 20 June, in support of UNICEF.
HUM2N opens longevity clinic at Six Senses London
Global luxury hospitality brand, Six Senses, has partnered with longevity healthcare provider, HUM2N, to launch a clinic at Six Senses London, at The Whiteley.
KX Chelsea invests £15 million to upgrade its wellness offering
Premium London health club, KX Chelsea, will imminently unveil its most significant redevelopment since its launch in 2002 to create an integrated wellness model combining training, recovery and relaxation.
Researchers identify a drug which reduces muscle loss when using GLP-1 medications
Researchers in the US have identified an antibody which could greatly reduce the loss of lean muscle mass in people who are taking weight-loss medications.
Peloton signals potential move into reformer Pilates with Skop acquisition
Peloton has made the strategic acquisition of the Pilates start-up, Skōp, to support the expansion of its strength ecosystem.
Crunch Fitness creates more affordable reformer Pilates concept
Crunch Fitness has announced the launch of Crunch Reform Pilates – its own reformer concept designed to bring this fast growing, but rather expensive, modality into the mainstream.
+ More news   
 
FEATURED SUPPLIERS

CoverMe extends matching service to personal training, rewriting how members and personal trainers connect
CoverMe, the global leader in fitness workforce management, today launches CoverMe PT, an on-demand personal training platform that connects the right personal trainer to the right client in under 10 seconds. [more...]

Elevate 2026 to mark 10-year anniversary with biggest ever waterfront drinks reception
Elevate is set to celebrate its 10th anniversary in style this June, with organisers confirming the event’s largest-ever drinks reception as registrations continue to run more than 10% ahead of last year. [more...]
+ More featured suppliers  
COMPANY PROFILES
Perfect Gym Solutions S.A.

Perfect Gym, part of the Sport Alliance group, is a global software provider specialising in fitness [more...]
+ More profiles  
CATALOGUE GALLERY
+ More catalogues  

DIRECTORY
+ More directory  
DIARY

 

15-18 Jun 2026

HLTH Europe

RAI Convention Centre, Amsterdam, Netherlands
17-18 Jun 2026

Elevate London

Excel London, London, United Kingdom
+ More diary  
 


ADVERTISE . CONTACT US

Leisure Media
Tel: +44 (0)1462 431385

©Cybertrek 2026

ABOUT LEISURE MEDIA
LEISURE MEDIA MAGAZINES
LEISURE MEDIA HANDBOOKS
LEISURE MEDIA WEBSITES
LEISURE MEDIA PRODUCT SEARCH
PRINT SUBSCRIPTIONS
FREE DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTIONS