Hundreds of children in Yorkshire have been given the chance to meet a former Olympic swimmer as part of a unique alliance between the ASA and Harrogate Borough Council.
Former British swimmer Adrian Turner had the pleasure of attending the Colour Group Swimming Gala, which uses all three swimming pools at the council’s Hydro facility, on Sunday 18th May.
The gala is an annual event held as part of Harrogate District's Swimming Development Scheme, with children who attend lessons at all five pools in the Harrogate district taking part, and this year Turner’s visit was made possible because of the partnership agreement between the ASA and the council.
The agreement means the council has signed up to use the National Plan for Teaching Swimming (NPTS) - a comprehensive and progressive teaching programme, which provides teachers with a clear and consistent approach. The scheme means the council delivers the highest quality syllabus and awards scheme to pupils.
Turner – who competed at the 2004 Athens Olympics and won silver and bronze in the 200m and 400m Individual Medley respectively at the 2002 Commonwealth Games – took to the pool to show off his skills as well as presenting medals to the winning youngsters.
He said: “Swimming galas are a great way to encourage more children to take to the water. The day was lots of fun and swimming is a great sport for people to get involved in.”
Di Wilson, the ASA’s Regional Business Manager for the North East, added: “The council has a really strong aquatic provision, which is recognised in our partnership agreement.
“They have learn-to-swim opportunities right through to championship coaching and they employ a team of three full time coaches and a dedicated team of fully qualified swimming teachers to ensure children are given the highest quality swimming tuition.
“The swimming gala was a great way to give the children who have been through the learn to swim programme a taste of competitive swimming and we are really pleased that the ASA could be part of it.”
