The Institute of Swimming (IoS) is offering a refund of £445 on registration fees on selected IoS Level 2 UK Coaching Certificate courses in March.

This is more than two thirds off the original course price of £650, leaving teachers and coaches to ultimately pay just £205 for administration fees.

The discount has been made possible thanks to a grant of £80,000 from Sport England to allow the ASA to offer Coaching / Teaching bursaries. The ASA has also been given an investment of £16k for tutor training.

Michael Hallewell of the IoS said: “There’s never been a better time to take the next step in to coach and teacher education.

“We are offering the discount at Level 2 specifically because the UK Coaching Certificate is a nationally recognised qualification that is centred on the needs of those taking part in all the aquatic disciplines.

“The level 2 qualification is also the next step for swimming assistants or aquatic support staff wanting to get on the teaching and coaching career pathway.”

All Level 2 candidates registered on the eligible courses will initially be charged the full price of £650, but will have the £445 refunded.

The bursary will be offered on a first-come, first-serve basis and all candidates who have already registered for the eligible Level 2 UKCC course with the IoS in March will be contacted to arrange their reimbursement.

Anyone interested in booking a course should CLICK HERE for latest course information and details on how to book. Alternatively email: customerservices@swimming.org or telephone 0871 200 0928.

Eligible courses have been chosen in regions where there are not currently other bursaries to cover the cost of education. The current list of eligible courses is as follows:

COURSE TITLE	Venue	Region	START DATE
UKCC Level 2 Teaching Aquatics	Parkside Pool	East	17/03/2009
UKCC Level 2 Teaching Aquatics	Kelly College	South West	28/03/2009
UKCC Level 2 Teaching Aquatics	Mid Suffolk	East	28/03/2009
UKCC Level 2 Teaching Aquatics	Exmouth Sports	South West	29/03/2009
UKCC Level 2 Teaching Aquatics	Embassy Pool, Skegness	East Midlands	28/03/2009
UKCC Level 2 Teaching Aquatics	Kingsway	North West	28/03/2009
UKCC Level 2 Teaching Aquatics	Bolton School	North West	30/03/2009

On Friday 6th February, the asa board approved plans, which will come into effect on the 1 March 2009, to change the way the asa delivers its services to its clubs and partners throughout England.

David Sparkes, the asa’s Chief Executive, said: “This is a really exciting time and a great opportunity for our sport following on from the success of Beijing, the recent announcement of increased funding from Sport England and the Government’s Free Swimming initiative for over 60s and under 16s in partnership with some Local Authorities.

“The new restructure will bring about real change and allow us to better support our clubs and members, as well as partners and customers, this change reflects the feedback we have received from you as our members.

“The clear message we have received from everyone is that they would prefer a ‘one stop shop’ when dealing with the asa and its services instead of having to deal with a number of people.

“Our intention is to build a network of county swimming co-ordinator positions within the asa. These county co-ordinators will effectively become the local asa personnel and we anticipate will be hosted by each of England’s county sports partnerships. This will not only bring our services closer to where they are needed but we believe it will also improve the service we offer to our members.”

The Regions will continue to work closely with the asa and will help to guide the work of the Swimming Co-ordinators and will help build strong regional strategic partnerships.

The three main outcomes from this initiative are:
• Delivering the asa’s Strategic Plan
• Driving change in swimming
• A better service for clubs and partners

Sparkes added: “A key part of the role of the Swimming Co-ordinator is to work with our clubs helping those who wish to achieve swim21 accreditation and importantly, also building more opportunities for training of coaches and teachers at all levels.

“I am sure as we move through the change we will be better placed to respond to the needs of clubs and partners and I am excited by what we will be able to offer in future.”

The asa will circulate further details about the new structure at a later stage.

-ENDS-

For more information contact the asa PR Manager Sharon Rose on 01509 632262, 07876 652318 or email sharon.rose@swimming.org

The asa 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.

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