ON 1st December, South Lanarkshire Leisure and Culture’s youngest and most senior swimmers will have the opportunity to meet swimming hero Robbie Renwick – world, European and Commonwealth champion and Olympic silver medallist – at the launch of Scottish Swimming’s National Framework for Swimming in South Lanarkshire.
The new National Framework, which has been adopted by South Lanarkshire Leisure and Culture and 15 other local authorities/leisure trusts across Scotland will eventually be rolled out across the whole of Scotland, benefiting around 100,000 children. The framework supports aquatic providers in the delivery of quality learn to swim programmes, contributing to Scottish Swimming’s vision Everyone Can Swim.
The joint launch event between Scottish Swimming and South Lanarkshire Leisure and Culture (SLLC) presented Scottish Swimming’s new National Framework for Swimming in Scotland which shows the breadth and depth of the programme from the early years though to ‘club ready’ swimming and adult swimming lessons.
While not every child who learns to swim will make it to the Olympics, Scottish Swimming were proud to share Robbie Renwick’s story as someone who has completed the aquatic pathway and enjoyed success at the top level of the sport.
Courtesy of allmediascotland.com
With an estimated 40 per cent of children still unable to swim by the time they leave primary school, there has never been a more crucial time to roll out the National Framework for Swimming in Scotland.
The framework highlights the importance of swimming from as early an age as possible as the first seven years are the most influential in establishing good exercise habits and setting foundations for learning throughout life. What sets South Lanarkshire’s programme apart from many in Scotland is the excellent links they have between the Learn to Swim programme and swimming clubs in the area.
Gerry Campbell, general manager of South Lanarkshire Leisure and Culture, comments: “South Lanarkshire Leisure and Culture’s programme reaches around 8,500 children, many of whom choose to continue on the aquatic pathway into one of our community clubs and this has resulted in the South Lanarkshire swimming team having many years of success at the national age groups championships and being crowned top club in 2016.”
Forbes Dunlop, chief executive officer, Scottish Swimming, comments: “Learning to Swim is an essential life skill. By getting the fundamentals right at as early an age as possible, by developing a love for the sport and by progressing through achievable steps on the aquatic pathway, people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds will have the confidence and skills to take part in a range of water based opportunities.
“Swimming is a sport for all and a sport for life. No matter if you are high or 88, swimming is a sport that can be enjoyed from cradle to grave with minimal strain on the joints and positive effects on health, fitness and well-being.”
News courtesy of allmedia-scotland.com.