Support Us · Volunteer With Us
Fleetwood Mako’s is a volunteer-run community club. It takes approximately 7,000 volunteer hours each year, based on our club estimate, to keep our sport and opportunities going. More people sharing the work makes a real difference.
Our coaches, officials, team managers, helpers and the people working quietly behind the scenes give their time so athletes and players can train, compete and belong. Thank you to every volunteer and family who supports that effort.
You do not have to do everything, or already be an expert, to start a conversation. Tell us what you enjoy, what experience you could share and what would fit around your life. The examples below describe ways to help, not a list of roles that are all currently vacant.
Qualified coaches help athletes and players develop. Trainee and assistant coaches can support planned sessions within their training and under appropriate supervision. Tell us about your experience or interest in a coaching pathway.
Help the qualified coach or teacher with session organisation and reinforce their instructions. Swim England offers core skills and swimming or water-polo poolside-helper learning.
We welcome interest from suitably qualified, competent people for the activities planned. Aquatic coaching alone does not cover an unrestricted strength-and-conditioning programme; the club will discuss the scope and qualifications needed.
Support athletes, communication and organisation at activities and events. Swim England’s Team Manager 1 training covers local/day activities, with Team Manager 2 for overnight or overseas activities.
Help with agreed practical arrangements and athlete support. Camp helpers and chaperones supplement qualified coaches and team managers. Chaperoning can include individual athlete support; responsibilities, supervision and checks must be agreed for the specific activity.
Help competitions run fairly. Training pathways include swimming timekeeping and judging, and water-polo table officiating and refereeing. The appropriate training depends on the role.
Help make race day happen
Every race needs people who make it fair. You do not need a competitive swimming background: training and experienced officials will help you learn. It is a practical way for parents, supporters and eligible young volunteers to give something back.
A first step · Age 14+
Learn how to record race times and use timing equipment. The current course estimates one to two hours of online learning, followed by a practical timekeeping session and sign-off.
Explore timekeeper training (opens in a new tab)A wider role · Age 15+
Learn timekeeping and the duties of an inspector of turns. You can start on this route directly. The current course estimates six to eight hours of online theory, followed by mentored poolside training and assessment.
Explore Judge 1 training (opens in a new tab)We’ll help you choose a route and check your club and Swim England membership. Ask about support with course fees before booking, and keep your membership contact details up to date.
Complete the online theory and save your certificate. Follow the current course instructions to register your progress with Swim England and obtain the practical training information.
Arrange suitable mentored sessions with the club’s officials contact. Keep your training record, obtain the required sign-offs and submit the evidence. Online theory alone does not complete the qualification.
Ask what equipment is provided before buying anything. Useful basics include a pen, clipboard and suitable stopwatch. Confirm the event’s dress code, arrival time and who will meet you.
With experience and further training, you can progress to Judge 2, Starter and Referee. There is no need to commit to the whole pathway when you begin.
See the next stage (opens in a new tab)Tell us whether timekeeping or judging interests you, any previous experience and what availability might suit you. We’ll discuss the next step and any role-specific training or checks.
The routes above are for swimming. Water polo has its own table-official and refereeing pathways: explore North West officials guidance (opens in a new tab) or ask the club. Course providers confirm current eligibility, fees and requirements.
Support club events, preparation, welcome desks or an agreed one-off task. Occasional help can ease the load on regular volunteers.
Help with agreed records, organising information and responding to routine club needs, with appropriate access and privacy arrangements.
Share writing, photography or design skills to help communicate club news, with consent and the club’s publication arrangements.
Bring ideas, research suitable funding opportunities or help prepare agreed applications and events. Some work can be done from home.
Help welcome people, understand their interests and connect offers of time with the work the club needs to do.
Occasional help might mean an event or a particular task. Regular help might support sessions or club administration. Home-based help might include writing, design, planning or grant research. We will discuss what is useful and realistic together; there is no blanket time commitment.
Before you start, we will agree the role, supervision and any qualifications, safeguarding training or DBS checks it requires, following Swim England guidance. Checks depend on the duties; not every volunteer role has the same requirements.
Explore Swim England’s descriptions of the different ways volunteers support aquatic clubs.
Read the role guidance (opens in a new tab)Explore team-manager and official training pathways.
Explore volunteer training (opens in a new tab)Learn about supervised helper roles in swimming and water polo.
Read poolside guidance (opens in a new tab)Coaching requirements and safeguarding checks depend on the role. The club will confirm what applies before you begin.
Read coaching policy (opens in a new tab)Read Swim England’s role-specific guidance on Disclosure and Barring Service checks.
Read checks guidance (opens in a new tab)Email our existing Memberships enquiry address with your name, the roles or tasks that interest you, relevant skills or experience, and whether occasional, regular or home-based help would suit you. Please leave out sensitive personal information. We will discuss a suitable next step.
Email your volunteering interest