Published: Wednesday, 10th October, 2007 12:30
Hawkhill kids make a great splash
By Jamie MacDonald
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Young swimmers in the pool at Alloa Leisure Bowl.
Pic by: Jan van der Merwe
THE latest initiative from Scottish Swimming has certainly made a splash with children in Clackmannanshire.
Youngsters from Alloa’s Hawkhill Nursery were delighted to be part of a new programme offering discounted swimming lessons to children from lower income families.
The pilot programme – in conjunction with the Scottish Government – is trying to establish if cheaper swimming lessons will encourage people to take up swimming. The aim is to ensure that quality swimming programmes are available to people of all ages and abilities.
Dave Jones, chief executive of Clackmannanshire Council, said, “The discounted lessons scheme has increased the confidence and skill of the nursery aged children but has also inspired their parents to get swimming too.
“It can be easy to forget how difficult it can sometimes be for parents to get to the pool with their young children, especially if they are not confident swimmers themselves.”
Ashley Howard, chief executive of Scottish Swimming, said, “Swimming is a fantastic activity for getting out of the house and enjoying time with your children.
“We hope that this pilot begins to tackle and better understand some of the barriers to lower income families staying fit and healthy in the pool and we look forward to examining the pilot’s results next summer.”
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