🦢 About the Club
About Reading Cygnets
A competitive swimming club for people with learning disabilities — now in our 45th successive and successful year.
🏊 Our History
Over Four Decades of Excellence
Reading Cygnets was founded in 1981 by Pam Weekes and Doreen Gardiner, both mothers of children with Down syndrome, after they watched athletes with learning disabilities compete in a day of sport organised by Special Olympics Great Britain. Moved by what they saw, they persuaded Reading Borough Council to allocate weekly one-hour swimming sessions at Highdown School and Reading Central Pool, where the first six Cygnets members began swimming socially with their families.
That same year, two of those early swimmers — Paul Parsons and Chris Phillips — competed in their first Special Olympics Games in Knowsley, Merseyside, and both came home with medals. The local publicity that followed attracted more members with learning disabilities, and the Club began competing in local and national galas.
In 1982, as Pam Weekes prepared to move away from Reading, she asked Chris's father, Ron Phillips, to take over running the Club. Recognising that the growing membership needed a more structured approach, Ron helped Reading Cygnets become a fully competitive club. The Club was registered as a charity in 1993 (No. 1028750) and is affiliated to Swim England (formerly the Amateur Swimming Association) and Special Olympics Great Britain.
In 2002, Ron Phillips, MBE, founded the Down Syndrome International Swimming Organisation (DSISO). That same year, he and Reading Cygnets hosted the first Down Syndrome International Championships at Reading Central Pool.
Ron continued as Chairman until his death in 2010, when he was succeeded by his grandson, Gordon Dart, who leads the Club today — a legacy of dedication that runs through everything we do.
"To provide every swimmer with the opportunity to compete, improve, and belong — regardless of ability."
— The Reading Cygnets Mission
💙 What We Stand For
Our Values
Inclusion
We believe swimming is for everyone. Every swimmer at Reading Cygnets is welcomed, supported, and celebrated — whatever their starting point.
Excellence
We are a competitive club. Our qualified coaches push each swimmer to be the best they can be, with personalised coaching in every lane.
Community
Built on decades of friendship and shared purpose, the Cygnets community extends far beyond the pool — to families, carers, and supporters alike.
📍 Find Us
Where & When
Training takes place weekly. Here's everything you need to know before your first visit.
Location
Rivermead Leisure Centre
Richfield Avenue, Caversham
Reading, RG1 8EQ
Training Time
Every Sunday Evening
6:30 pm – 7:30 pm
Members must attend at least two Sundays per month.
Membership
Open to swimmers with learning disabilities. Prospective members are welcome to come along to a taster session before committing. Members are asked to attend training on at least two Sundays a month to keep making real progress as part of the team.
Get in touch to find out more →
Proud Members Of
🦢 Join the Family
Ready to Start Swimming?
Whether you're a swimmer with a learning disability looking for your club, a parent exploring options, or someone who wants to volunteer — we'd love to hear from you.