swim; all made possible by support from both NHS Health Scotland and Kellogg’s. The initiative was part of Scottish
Swimming’s healthy living programme ‘Just Add Water’ which aims to get more people swimming for fitness, health and fun. Scottish Swimming’s Healthy Living manager, Sharon MacDonald explains: “Swimming is a unique life-saving skill. Our vision at Scottish Swimming is that everyone can swim – whatever their age, ethnicity or ability. Being able to swim not only provides children with an essential life skill, it also contributes to a child’s health and well-being and at the same time, provides a fun social environment. “Since January 2010, we have devel-
oped the programme in three pools in some of the more socially deprived areas of Glasgow and provided swimming lessons to over 500 children. For many of these children it was their first time in a pool. We believe that by learning to swim at an early age, the youngsters will learn a skill, which will enable them to continue to swim and remain physically active now and in the future.” Health improvement senior, for Glasgow
and Greater Glasgow Health Board, John Harkins agrees: “Being physically active at a young age can help youngsters remain physically active as they get older. Swimming is a great way of having fun, keeping fit and staying healthy. Learn- ing to swim now will also enable these youngsters to take part in other water- based activities such as diving, water
Issue 2 2011 © cybertrek 2011
Above: Olympian Todd Cooper and Splish and Splash with children from East Dunbartonshire. Right: Splish and Splash keep their eye on young Glasgow swimmers
polo, canoeing and water skiing.” The enhanced Awards Scheme,
generously sponsored by Kellogg’s, has been implemented in a number of local authorities and leisure trusts across Scotland, namely Argyle and Bute Council, Borders Sport and Leisure Trust, East and West Dunbartonshire Councils, Fife Community Use, Highland Council, Perth and Kinross Council and South Lanarkshire Leisure and Culture.
a“South Lanarkshire Leisure
swimming provision in Scotland – conducted by Scottish Swimming in 2009 – found that despite having taken part in a primary school swimming pro- gramme approximately 25 – 30 per cent of children still could not swim. In September 2010, the Scottish
nd Culture is delighted to be
working in close partnership Scottish Swimming. Our Swimming Development Programme will benefit from this partnership by gaining use of a recognised and structured awards scheme as well as support to deliver national programmes and initiatives.
Andy Figgins, swimming development co-ordinator, South Lanarkshire Leisure and Culture
” Scotland does not have a school
swimming entitlement, which ensures all young people can swim before leaving primary school. As a result many of young people are leaving school unable to swim. An audit into current school
Government announced an additional £800,000 to implement a National Top Up Swimming Programme to help address this matter. This welcome funding assists local authorities in improving the opportunities for primary- aged children to learn to swim and contribute to increasing the number of children who can swim – giving them new skills for safety, fitness, health and fun. Richard Gordon, director of coaching
and development says: “Top up swimming is an intervention to enable every child to achieve the Scottish Swimming National Swimming Award (NSA) at primary school. Pupils are expected to swim a distance of 25m and develop the other range of skills related to the NSA, which are about general water confidence and water safety. We were delighted to receive the funding, this programme will work towards delivering an essential swimming entitlement for the children in Scotland” ● For more information tel: 01786 466520
www.scottishswimming.com
Read Sports Management online
sportsmanagement.co.uk/digital 59
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