Sheffield International Venues is the latest facility operator to implement the Amateur Swimming Association’s (ASA) National Plan for Teaching Swimming (NPTS) throughout its swimming pools via their Swim Sheffield Swim Scheme.
The new five-year deal will see the organisation working in partnership with the national governing body until 2013.
The agreement to use the NPTS, a template for learn to swim schemes, means the pools will use the highest quality syllabus and awards system. The Plan is a comprehensive and progressive teaching programme based upon sound technical and educational principles.
The National Plan will run alongside the Kellogg’s ASA Awards Scheme and looks set to benefit the 3,500 adults and children currently receiving lessons as part of the Swim Sheffield Swim Scheme. The Plan will be launched in September across all facilities, including the prestigious 50 metre International Swimming Pool at Ponds Forge which recently hosted the British Swimming Championships; and Hillsborough Leisure Centre, winner of the Fitness Industry Association’s Flame Awards an unprecedented three times. Concord Sports Centre, with its thriving community programme and Westfield Sports Centre, a dual use facility based at Westfield Sports College, complete the portfolio.
The Swim Scheme has been running for many years and in 2007 was awarded Premier Aquamark accreditation – the ASA’s quality seal of approval for leisure providers. The Scheme feeds talented swimmers into the City of Sheffield swim squad with whom it has strong links.
As part of the deal the centres will receive support and advice from the ASA’s Business Team to develop the Swim Scheme further. Sheffield International Venues’ Head of Sport Justine Davis is looking forward to working closely with an ASA dedicated business manager and believes the new deal will benefit people from the local community as well as their swimming programme.
“The ASA National Plan offers an excellent framework for swimming development and with the introduction of the revised plan, the focus is even more on having fun while learning a new skill,” she said.
“Having been involved in the delivery of swimming lessons for several years, I have always found the ASA National Plan good to work with and like the focus being on progress and swimming to a good standard”.
ASA Business Team Manager Mandy Mason welcomes Sheffield International Venues on board.
“The ASA is committed to providing our partners with the support they need to deliver quality learn to swim programmes,” she said.
“We are pleased to welcome Sheffield International Venues on board and our Business Team will be working closely with them to ensure they build on their current success whilst using the National Plan for Teaching Swimming and the Kellogg's ASA Awards Scheme."
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For more information contact ASA PR Assistant Claire Freeman on 01509 632238 or email claire.freeman@swimming.org
The Amateur Swimming Association is the English National Governing Body for Swimming, Diving, Water Polo, Open Water, and Synchronised Swimming. It organises competition throughout England, establishes the Laws of the Sport and operates comprehensive certification and education programmes for Teachers, Coaches and Officials as well as its renowned Learn To Swim Awards scheme. The ASA supports 1,220 affiliated swimming clubs through a National/Regional/County structure. The ASA aims to ensure everybody has an opportunity to learn to swim.
The Kellogg’s ASA Awards Scheme is the most successful awards scheme in British sport and issues around two million awards every year to swimmers all around the world.
For more information about ASA Awards please see www.swimming.org
