Welcome to Dolphin Swimming Club

Dolphin Swimming Club, based in Mayfield, Cork, is one of Ireland's oldest swimming clubs, founded in 1901. We cater for swimmers of all levels from Learn to Swim up to National and International Elite standard

Swim Ireland Club of the Year 2022

Our Vision

At Dolphin Swimming Club we aim to develop every swimmer to reach the best of their ability.  We encourage the performance, physical and social development of all our athletes in an environment that emphasises inclusiveness, leadership, performance, openness and fun.  We encourage a strong volunteer effort across all levels of the club and we take great pride in the development of each of our swimmers, coaches, teachers and practitioners.

About Us

Dolphin Swimming Club (DSC) was founded in Cork in 1901 by a group of recreational swimmers who regularly swam together on the River Lee around Ballintemple, Blackrock and the Carrigrohane Road. In 1902, in an effort to keep swimmers active during the winter months, Dolphin Rugby Football Club (DRFC) was founded, forming a Cork sporting legacy that continues to this day. Although both clubs operate separately nowadays, their association and bond will always remain strong.

Fast forward almost 125 years to today, and Dolphin SC has grown into one of Ireland’s largest and top-performing clubs. The club is currently operating out of their home training facility at Mayfield Sports Complex on the outskirts of Cork city, with training facilities also established at Leisureworld in both Churchfield & Bishopstown, Brookfield Leisure near UCC, and Coral Leisure in Cobh; and with a newly established gym facility and training partnership with the impressive NRG Gym & Fitness brand, the club is active for over 45 training hours per week in the water and 10 hours per week in the gym or ‘dry’ S&C activity.

Dolphin Swimming Club is currently in the process of building its very own 50m 10-lane Olympic-sized pool in Cork city, with an announcement on its location due very soon. The new home for Dolphin SC will feature a viewing gallery, treatment rooms for sports practitioners, a high-performance gym, high-tech analysis equipment and much more so that the club programme can be expanded across all levels, as well as opening up swimming access to the greater Cork public for future growth and development of the Cork and Munster swimming fraternity in multiple disciplines. The aim is that the facility will be ready during the 2026-27 season - the season that the club celebrates its 125th anniversary!

Currently, there are 6 senior-focused competitive training groups in the club, with a further 4 intermediate training groups in place. The club operates 4 junior training groups, 1 non-competitive training group, and there is a fantastic Learn to Swim Programme in the club.  Currently, there are 5 Dolphin athletes on the Irish National Pathway Squad, 2 Dolphin athletes on the Irish National Senior Squad, 3 Dolphin athletes on the Senior Regional Squad and 7 Dolphin athletes on the Regional Pathway Squad, with 7 junior swimmers on the Regional Skills Squad. The club is immensely proud of our phenomenal representation at provincial/regional, national and international levels.

In 2022, Dolphin SC was awarded the Swim Ireland “Club of the Year” - an accolade and recognition for the club’s efforts across multiple disciplines such as performance, administration, compliance, development, and other relevant areas. On the performance side, Dolphin achieved the highest points tally at the Irish Summer Nationals series for the 2023/24 season, claiming the “Top Club” award for the season - a phenomenal achievement for the club and just recognition for the hard work and dedication of all its swimmers and coaches at all levels.

Dolphin athletes currently hold multiple Irish and Munster Regional records in long and short course individual and relay events. We have had representation at international events recently, with Dolphin members competing at European Junior Open Water Championships, European Under 23 Championships, European SC Championships, World Aquatics LC Championships and at the Paris Olympic Games 2024.

Our prestigious ‘Learn to Swim Programme’ operates four classes each weekend from September to June and, in most cases, feeds the participants into the competitive squads.

The Club is affiliated with Swim Ireland, the national governing body of all aquatic disciplines in Ireland.  Swim Ireland’s child protection programmes enable all adults and children in the club to be educated and aware of and comply to standards that lead to the safe and harmonious participation in our sport, or in being a volunteer assisting with the running of the club.

The club depends largely on volunteerism in the day-to-day running of the club, whether that’s volunteering on committees such as management, complaints and disciplinary, fundraising or competitions, or in crucial roles such as club children’s officers, designated persons, compliance, team managers and assistant teachers/coaches, etc.

Our highly qualified, motivated and experienced coaching panel works closely with the swimmers to encourage and enable them to reach their individual and group potential in this very demanding but rewarding sport.  We are all parents and children alike, working as a team, for the team.

Our Club Constitution view here

Our Volunteering Committees

Dolphin Committee

The commitee at Dolphin Swimming Club work hard to ensure the club continues to progress and develop as it has done since its foundation. We are lucky to have such a dedicated team of volunteers and helpers that make us one of the leading swimming clubs in Ireland. You can see the current members below:

Club Chair: Giuseppe Whelan

Club Secretary: Ceara O Brien

Club Treasure: Dee Swimburne

Club CCO: Gillian Malley

Head Coach: Mick McCormack

Gala Secretary: Laura Switzer

Committee Members:

• Rosemary Brannigan

• Jessica Beall

• Emma Coleman

• Evelyn Donohue

• Kieran Doyle

• Martin Leahy

• Jules O’Halloran

Child Welfare

As of September 2016, the Club Children’s Officer will become part of a Club Committee – this is now a Swim Ireland rule.  This change is to ensure that young people are represented at the committee level, with safeguarding information readily available for clubs through the Children’s Officer.  Some clubs have been really proactive with ensuring the CCO is included in club decisions and activities.

Outline Duties of the Club Children’s Officer:

(i)   Act in the best interests of young people

(ii)  Ensure young people have the opportunity to express opinions and views

(iii) Ensure that safeguarding policies and procedures are implemented and effective in all areas of the club

(iv) Act as an advisor for and report concerns of abuse to the appropriate authorities

Dolphin SC CCO :

• Gillian Malley

   

  • Email: cco@dolphinsc.ie

    (Further details are contained in the latest Swim Ireland Safeguarding Policy document - Click here and see the document)

    
    

Club Complaints and Disciplinary Committee:

The Complaints and Disciplinary (C&D) Committee is an independent statutory body within the club, set up and run in detailed accordance with Swim Ireland rules and provisions.

The purpose of the C&D committee is to provide an independent authority within the club to adjudicate in disputes or to investigate complaints raised by or on behalf of a club member. 

There are very precise rules and processes that must be followed by the C&D committee.

The procedure for raising a complaint or referring an issue to the C&D Committee can be found at the following location on the Swim Ireland website:

http://www.swimireland.ie/wp-content/uploads/downloads/2013/01/Swim_Ireland_Complaints__Disciplinary_Rules__Procedures_Document_Jan2012.pdf

Chairman: Mike O’Shea

C&D Members:

• Federico Gilli

• Tracey Higgins

• Kevin McGrath

• Mike O Shea

The C & D committee can be reached at complaints@dolphinsc.ie

Garda Vetting and Safeguarding :

There are two requirements when volunteering at Dolphin Swimming Club, you must be Garda Vetted and complete a Child Safeguarding course.

National Vetting Bureau (NVB) for relevant activities undertaken in Ireland. Vetting checks are required every three years for adults and young people aged 16/17 years, working with or responsible for young people in Swim Ireland. Parent/Guardian consent is required for applicants aged 16 or 17 years old. It is each individual’s responsibility to apply for and/or maintain their vetting credential; you will receive a reminder that your credential is expiring – you should act without delay.

Garda Vetting Application forms : Click here

For Safeguarding courses please check on the Swim Ireland Calendar Here

Cork Sport Partnership also offer regular courses you can check Here

Refresher online Safeguarding courses (only applicable to those who have already undertaken a safeguarding course) Click Here

Our Coaching Team

Clubs Children’s Officer

Introduction

“Safeguarding young people and athletes is an overarching ethos for Dolphin Swimming Club and must be a priority for all adults working within our club and who are responsible for children.

The ethos is reflected in our DSC Safeguarding Children Policies, our rules, code of conduct and mandatory requirementsformembersandclubswhereinvolvedwithyoungpeople. Theseare important documents for all members to read and implement.

Our mission is to foster a fun-loving involvement in aquatic sport, to provide an environment inwhichyoung

people are heard. It is our aim to provide the safest child-centred environment for young people to participate in sport”

Responsibilities of the Club Children’s Officer

To act at all times with the welfare and protection of children as paramount, to be available forchildren, parents or leaders who have concerns, providing access though meetings or via phone.

To promote awareness of Safeguarding Children Policies and Procedures within the club among young members and their parents/guardians. Ensure that the club rules and regulations referenceSwim Irelands Safeguarding Children Policies and Procedures with regard to club policies and proceduresandmonitorimplementationincludingchildprotectiontraining requirements.

To influence policy and practice within the club in order to prioritise children’s needs, reporting regularly to committee, giving children a voice within the club and to ensure committee keep records of all members on file, contact numbers and each member signs an annual membership form, that includes signing up to the club code of conduct.

To ensure that children know how to make concerns known to appropriate adults or agencies; so that children can express concerns regarding their sport.

To pass any concerns relating to child protection in accordance with reporting procedures on to The designated Person or, if necessary, the appropriate statutory authority.