British Swimming Head Coach Dennis Pursley has lashed out at the prospect that the Women’s 800m Freestyle event could be dropped from the Olympic programme as early as 2012.

The event that catapulted Rebecca Adlington to Olympic glory is rumoured to be facing the axe, by request of the Coaching Commission of FINA, in favour of the Women’s 1,500m Freestyle. The move would aim to unify the men’s and women’s Olympic Swimming Programme for the first time in history.

Pursley, former Head of USA Swimming for 14 years, is appalled at the prospect of the Women’s 800m Freestyle being removed prior to a home Games in the middle of an Olympic cycle.

“While, in principle, we support the idea of introducing a 1,500m Freestyle event for women - allowing the Olympic programme to mirror that of the men’s – I am strongly opposed to the suggestion that this could be introduced for London 2012 while our athletes are in the middle of their Olympic training cycle,” said Pursley.

“Athletes and coaches use the entire four-year cycle to prepare for an Olympic Games and to change this now would be unfair.

“We are comfortable for the Women’s 1,500m to be introduced at the 2016 Olympic Games but to introduce it for 2012 would undermine all of the work put in by the athletes and coaches who have been working toward competing in the 800m in London.”

FINA’s ruling executive will make a decision in January as to whether or not they will recommend the move to the IOC.

At the FINA World Swimming Championships men and women are able to compete in both the 800m and 1,500m Freestyle events; however the IOC is opposed to adding more events to the swimming schedule.

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For further details contact Lauren Sanderson, British Swimming Media Assistant, on 01509 632236 or email lauren.sanderson@swimming.org.

About British Swimming
British Swimming is the National Governing Body for Swimming, Diving, Synchronised Swimming, Water Polo and Open Water in Great Britain.  It is responsible internationally for the high performance representation of the sport. The members of British Swimming are the three Home Countries national governing bodies of England (ASA), Scotland (Scottish ASA) and Wales. (Welsh ASA)  British Swimming seeks to enable its athletes to achieve gold medal success at the Olympics, Paralympics, World Championships and Commonwealth Games.

About British Gas
British Gas is Britain's favourite domestic energy supplier. As well as providing gas and electricity, it also installs and maintains central heating and gas appliances in millions of homes throughout the country. British Gas is very proud to be the principal partner of British Swimming and home countries: The ASA, Scottish Swimming and Swim Wales. British Gas is supporting the team's quest for medals on the world and Olympic stage - and giving as many people as possible the opportunity to learn to swim and use swimming as part of a healthy lifestyle. British Gas wants to ensure local pools remain at the heart of our communities. By using its expertise, it can help them reduce costs by being more energy efficient and safeguard the facilities for this and future generations. For more information visit www.britishgas.co.uk/swimming

About Speedo®
The world’s leading swimwear brand, Speedo® is passionate about life in and around the water, creating revolutionary new technologies, designs and innovations. Supporting swimming from grass-roots through to elite level, including the phenomenal Michael Phelps, Speedo® is owned by Speedo Holdings B.V and distributed in over 170 countries around the world; SPEEDO, the ARROW device, FASTSKIN, LZR PULSE, SPEEDO ENDURANCE, FLIPTURNS, FASTSKINFSII, SPEEDO BIOFUSE, SWYM and LZR RACER are registered trademarks of Speedo Holdings B.V. The LZR RACER suit has worldwide design rights and patents pending.

Disability Sport Events (DSE) are holding the Nationwide Short Course Swimming Championships at Ponds Forge in Sheffield from 21st – 22nd November and it is the last competition before the British team compete in the IPC World Short Course Championships in Brazil.

The British Gas team have just competed at the European Paralympic Swimming Championships in Iceland, where they won a total of 39 gold, 32 silver and 23 bronze medals to top the medal table.

No strangers to a busy calendar, selected British swimmers will be travelling from Sheffield to Rio de Janeiro a few days later. The IPC World Championships (25m) are being held from 29 November to the 5 December.

Amongst those taking part in Sheffield will be Britain’s new golden girl Eleanor Simmonds; David Roberts- the eleven times Paralympic gold medallist and established star- Sascha Kindred.

Other British contenders to watch out for during the event are Heather Frederiksen, who won five medals in Iceland, Sam Hynd, Liz Johnson and Matt Walker.
 
We are honoured to have Major Phil Packer to present the trophies. In 2008, Packer sustained a spinal injury whilst serving in Iraq. He has since raised over £1million for Help the Heroes and collected amongst other things- the Pride of Britain award for fundraising. His goal is to inspire more disabled young people and we are proud to welcome him on board during this weekend.

There will be a familiar face amongst the volunteers during the weekend. Royle Family star Ralf Little will be joining the DSE workforce to publicise the importance in volunteering in events.
He said: “Working with Disability Sport Events on recent fundraising initiatives has made me want to find out more about their work. So what better way than to get my hands dirty and join the hundreds of volunteers who help them annually! I love sport, so supporting disabled athletes in their ambition to win gold will be great fun as well as rewarding. I want my involvement to mean more than just putting my face and voice to the events.”

Other partners assisting the championships are British Swimming, Water Direct, Ponds Forge and the Sheffield City Council's Major Sports Events Unit.

Further information about DSE and the winners from this event will be available via www.disabilitysport.org.uk

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Media information:
The media are welcome to attend the event. Please contact:
Sarah Marl, Disability Sport Events, sarah@dse.org.uk, 0161 953 2438

 

Kirklees Education in West Yorkshire are celebrating the results of their Key Stage 2 attainment figures for their School Swimming programme, which is supported by the government’s national Top Up swimming fund and more recently the School Swimming Improvement Programme.

The yearly school swimming programme offered to all schools within the area for 7-11 year olds has seen outstanding improvements in the pupil’s swimming achievements.  For example, one school has seen an increase of 70% in the Key Stage 2 attainment figure, which means children should be able to swim unaided over a distance of at least 25 metres.  Another is boasting a 100% pass rate in their school swimming programme through offering extra lessons every week, which is a 38% increase on the statistics recorded before Top Up swimming was introduced.

Swimming and water safety are statutory activities at Key Stage 2 (unless completed at Key Stage 1) and the Top Up Programme of swimming lessons to support the weakest swimmers in primary schools was introduced in 2006 to help them achieve the 25 metre goal.  In the Kirklees area this is provided through extra lessons led by ASA qualified swimming teachers with school staff on hand to help and encourage pupils both within and outside the curriculum.

The Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) £8.25 million funding through the School Swimming Improvement Programme has further assisted these pupils to develop general water confidence and water safety skills through a national initiative co-ordinated by the ASA’s team of School Swimming Advisors.

Sue Barlow, ASA School Swimming Curriculum Advisor, is delighted at the success of the programme in Kirklees.  She said, “This is great news, I am so pleased that through the support of the ASA and the government funding we have been able to help so many children in the Kirklees area to learn to swim.  The vast majority of the improvements in these schools are due to the additional funding they have received, but the hard work, extra training and commitment of the PE Advisor and swimming staff should be recognised. They have done so much to provide the correct environment so that the children feel fully supported and encouraged”.

Janet Thorpe is the Kirklees PE School Improvement Officer who is very proud of the achievements of the schools in the area. 

“The more pro-active schools have definitely seen the best results in offering these extra lessons to their non swimmers and it is wonderful to know that the pupils are benefiting from this type of support.  It all runs by working in partnership together - the swimming teachers take a lead on identifying schools and individual pupils for support and how it can be implemented, and the schools are keen to improve their standards and welcome suggestions and extra opportunities for their pupils.” 

She added, “We also work closely with local leisure provider Kirklees Active Leisure to run half term learn to swim schemes, where pupils identified by the swimming teachers receive personalised invitations.  Additionally we provide Parent information sheets to explain the school swimming sessions that are running and to detail what is available during the summer holidays.  We all feel these initiatives have had a significant impact upon the overall school swimming standards across Kirklees.”

Schools Minister Iain Wright said: “Swimming lessons are really important.  They teach children how to be safe and confident in the water, and they help keep them fit and healthy.  Swimming is also a great way to enjoy the Government's 2012 Legacy offer to all children of five hours of high-quality PE and sport a week.   I'd like to congratulate the children, teachers and parents of Kirklees on their own swimming success story."
 
Minister for Sport Gerry Sutcliffe said: “It is great that young people in Kirklees have made such a splash and are swimming so strongly. They are not the only ones - across England nearly seven million free swims have been enjoyed by those aged 16 and under since the Government’s £140 million free swimming initiative was launched in April. Well done to Kirklees - like so many other local authorities, they are playing a key part in making sure London 2012 delivers a lasting legacy of getting people, young and old, to be more active.” 

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For more information contact the ASA PR Officer Claire Freeman on 01509 632265 or email claire.freeman@swimming.org

PE and Sport Strategy for Young People (PESSYP)
The Top Up and School Swimming Improvement Programmes are funded jointly by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) and the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) through the PE and Sport Strategy for Young People (PESSYP). Launched in January 2008, the PESSYP expresses the Government’s commitment to improve the quantity and quality of PE and sport undertaken by young people aged 5-19 in England. PESSYP builds on the success of the PE, School Sport and Club Links (PESSCL) Strategy for 5-16 year olds, which went live in April 2003. It will see an investment of £755 million over three years to deliver the work announced by the Prime Minister in July 2007, and is now set out in Public Service Agreement target 22.

About the ASA
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.

About Kellogg’s
The Kellogg Company was founded in 1906 and today produces 40 different cereals including popular brands such as Special K, Cornflakes and Coco Pops, and 56 different snacks including brands such as Nutri-Grain and Special K snacks. Kellogg’s has been a partner of the ASA and British Swimming for 13 years, sponsoring the Kellogg’s ASA Awards and enabling over 50,000 people to take up swimming as part of an active lifestyle.

About British Gas
British Gas is Britain's favourite domestic energy supplier. As well as providing gas and electricity, it also installs and maintains central heating and gas appliances in millions of homes throughout the country. British Gas is very proud to be the principal partner of British Swimming and home countries: The ASA, Scottish Swimming and Swim Wales. British Gas is supporting the team's quest for medals on the world and Olympic stage - and giving as many people as possible the opportunity to learn to swim and use swimming as part of a healthy lifestyle. British Gas wants to ensure local pools remain at the heart of our communities. By using its expertise, it can help them reduce costs by being more energy efficient and safeguard the facilities for this and future generations. For more information visit www.britishgas.co.uk/swimming

About Speedo®
The world’s leading swimwear brand, Speedo® is passionate about life in and around the water, creating revolutionary new technologies, designs and innovations. Supporting swimming from grass-roots through to elite level, including the phenomenal Michael Phelps, Speedo® is owned by Speedo Holdings B.V and distributed in over 170 countries around the world; SPEEDO, the ARROW device, FASTSKIN, LZR PULSE, SPEEDO ENDURANCE, FLIPTURNS, FASTSKINFSII, SPEEDO BIOFUSE, SWYM and LZR RACER are registered trademarks of Speedo Holdings B.V. The LZR RACER suit has worldwide design rights and patents pending.

The ASA is looking for up to three swim21 accredited clubs to put forward for the CCPR Sports Club of the Year award.

The awards, in association with the Foundation for Sport and the Arts (FSA) and runningsports, recognise sports clubs which have made an outstanding contribution within their community.

The ASA can nominate three clubs for the award, all of which must have swim21 accreditation. The successful aquatic candidates will compete against nominations from other governing bodies.

There are substantial prizes up for grabs with the winning club receiving £6000. There are two second prizes of £3000 each and three third place prizes of £1000.

Clubs who already have swim21 accreditation – the ASA’s ‘quality mark’ – are being asked to throw their names into the hat if they feel they provide opportunities for everyone (athletes, coaches and volunteers) to experience quality activities at all levels. The CCPR are also looking at those who take an innovative approach to the promotion of the club.

Last year’s prizes were awarded by Olympic Gold Medallist, Rebecca Romero, at a glittering gala dinner in a top London hotel. In addition to the prize money, the governing body and winning club may benefit from local and national media attention. Runningsports will also provide resources to the top six clubs to assist with their continuing development.

Speaking at the 2009 awards ceremony, CCPR chief executive Tim Lamb said: 'The Sports Club of the Year award is something that CCPR is proud to present to our community sports clubs. It is humbling and inspiring to see the work that volunteers and staff do, dedicating their time and energy to encouraging participation in sport, whatever the level. It is particularly admirable to see the efforts and successes that are achieved in these straightened economic times, and CCPR is honoured to celebrate these achievements.'

To see if your club matches the criteria for applicants please CLICK HERE. If you feel you do meet the criteria please fill in an application form by CLICKING HERE.

Application forms can be submitted electronically to lesley.hill@swimming.org or by post to: Lesley Hill, ASA West Midland Region, Unit 3 Kingfisher Enterprise Park, 50 Arthur Street, Redditch, Worcs, B98 8LG.

Applications from clubs must reach the ASA West Midlands Office by 5pm on Friday 5th February 2010. Clubs without endorsement from the ASA will not be accepted by the CCPR.

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For more information contact the ASA Marketing Officer Esther Hope on 01509 632247, 07917 876459 or email esther.hope@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.

About British Gas
British Gas is Britain's favourite domestic energy supplier. As well as providing gas and electricity, it also installs and maintains central heating and gas appliances in millions of homes throughout the country. British Gas is very proud to be the principal partner of British Swimming and home countries: The ASA, Scottish Swimming and Swim Wales. British Gas is supporting the team's quest for medals on the world and Olympic stage - and giving as many people as possible the opportunity to learn to swim and use swimming as part of a healthy lifestyle. British Gas wants to ensure local pools remain at the heart of our communities. By using its expertise, it can help them reduce costs by being more energy efficient and safeguard the facilities for this and future generations. For more information visit www.britishgas.co.uk/swimming

About Kellogg’s
The Kellogg Company was founded in 1906 and today produces 40 different cereals including popular brands such as Special K, Cornflakes and Coco Pops, and 56 different snacks including brands such as Nutri-Grain and Special K snacks. Kellogg’s has been a partner of the ASA and British Swimming for 13 years, sponsoring the Kellogg’s ASA Awards and enabling over 50,000 people to take up swimming as part of an active lifestyle.

About Speedo®
The world’s leading swimwear brand, Speedo® is passionate about life in and around the water, creating revolutionary new technologies, designs and innovations. Supporting swimming from grass-roots through to elite level, including the phenomenal Michael Phelps, Speedo® is owned by Speedo Holdings B.V and distributed in over 170 countries around the world; SPEEDO, the ARROW device, FASTSKIN, LZR PULSE, SPEEDO ENDURANCE, FLIPTURNS, FASTSKINFSII, SPEEDO BIOFUSE, SWYM and LZR RACER are registered trademarks of Speedo Holdings B.V. The LZR RACER suit has worldwide design rights and patents pending.

Manchester may be preparing to host one of the biggest swimming meets Britain has ever seen but the city’s involvement in aquatics runs much deeper.

With almost eight years of world class aquatics competitions taking place in the city, Manchester’s impressive track record, including hosting the 2002 Commonwealth Games and 2008 FINA World Championships (25m), made it the obvious choice for Britain’s Showcase event of 2009 – the British Gas Duel in the Pool.

The British Gas Duel in the Pool will provide a unique opportunity for fans to see the world’s greatest swimmers going head-to-head for supremacy in the pool.

As the Manchester Aquatics Centre prepares for the likes of Michael Phelps and Rebecca Adlington to dive in on Friday 18th and Saturday 19th December Councillor Mike Amesbury, Executive Member for Culture and Leisure at Manchester City Council, is hoping that there will be a lasting legacy from Duel in the Pool.

"Manchester is delighted to be hosting this exciting event and to be welcoming the very best swimmers from both sides of the Atlantic to the city,” said Amesbury. “Having received accolades last year by building a temporary pool in the MEN Arena for the FINA World Swimming Championships, it’s great to host a major swimming event at our premier swimming facility.

“Whilst recognising the profile and exposure that the ‘Duel in the Pool’ will bring, Manchester is committed to ensuring that our residents and communities benefit from the opportunities that this event will create."

As part of Manchester City Council’s commitment to aquatics, initiatives at both the grass-roots and elite level of the sport have put them at the forefront of aquatics.

Water Polo is one of Manchester’s jewels: with the High Performance Centre for both the senior men’s and women’s teams being based at the Manchester Aquatics Centre it is the heart of the sport in Great Britain.

Playing host to the LEN Women’s European B Nations Trophy earlier this year, fans got to witness the British Gas Women’s Water Polo team capture the title. Two years earlier Manchester watched on as the men’s team took on some f the most promising teams in LEN European B Championships at the Aquatics Centre.

The City of Manchester Water Polo Club has grown with the infrastructure now helping local schools feed players into the sport. Both the junior and senior team are currently, or have been, champions in the National Water Polo League or National Women’s Water Polo League.

The Manchester Aquatics Centre is also home to one of British Disability Swimming’s High Performance Centres, where Paralympic medallists have access to excellent facilities on a daily basis.

But Manchester has a strong commitment to disability swimming within the region. Nicky Boothroyd, Manchester’s Strategic Disability Sport Officer, works to integrate able-bodied and disabled swimmers and, where possible, pools in the Manchester region have been adapted to make this possible ensuring there are accessible programmes and clubs for disabled swimmers.

From competition to participation, Manchester is also dedicated to getting the community involved in aquatic activities.

With 11 pools in the Manchester region offering Free Swimming to the under 16s and over 60s Manchester City Council have seen more people take to the pool than in recent years.

Having allowed the children to get in the pool for free over the summer, Manchester has seen an improvement in the attainment figures for children swimming 25m at Key Stage 2 as part of the School Swimming Programme.

The authority is now looking at re-programming all of the pools to meet the demands of the local community based on feedback from pool users.

Manchester is also the base for one of the ASA’s seven nationwide Beacon Programmes. Launched in May 2009, the programme encompasses the whole spectrum from learn to swim right through to elite level swimming as an ASA initiative to provide programmes of coaching and development at every stage of the talent pathway while encouraging continued lifelong participation in aquatics.

The Beacon Programme provides extra 50m pool time to some of the region’s top swimmers and coaches. It aims to get more young athletes into the pool while providing them with high-quality coaching.

Manchester is dedicated to providing world class aquatic facilities and will be a key in the development of all areas of the sports in the lead up to 2012.

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For further details contact Lauren Sanderson, British Swimming Media Assistant, on 01509 632236 or email lauren.sanderson@swimming.org.

About British Swimming
British Swimming is the National Governing Body for Swimming, Diving, Synchronised Swimming, Water Polo and Open Water in Great Britain.  It is responsible internationally for the high performance representation of the sport. The members of British Swimming are the three Home Countries national governing bodies of England (ASA), Scotland (Scottish ASA) and Wales. (Welsh ASA)  British Swimming seeks to enable its athletes to achieve gold medal success at the Olympics, Paralympics, World Championships and Commonwealth Games.

About Manchester City Council

As host of the British Gas Duel in the Pool, Manchester continues to strengthen its impressive reputation for successfully hosting major international sports events, recognised when the City was awarded the SportBusiness Sports City 'Gold' Award in 2008. This year has seen no let up with the staging of innovative events such as the City Games, that brought the phenomenal Usain Bolt to the streets of Manchester, Skyride, that opened up the City Centre roads for a mass participation cycling experience and most recently the World Netball Series that showcased a fast and exciting version of the sport to packed galleries at the MEN Arena. Whilst the City recognises the profile and economic benefits that these events bring, its excellent range of accessible sports venues and facilities, combined with its school and community sports development programmes ensure that residents see real legacy benefits.

About British Gas
British Gas is Britain's favourite domestic energy supplier. As well as providing gas and electricity, it also installs and maintains central heating and gas appliances in millions of homes throughout the country. British Gas is very proud to be the principal partner of British Swimming and home countries: The ASA, Scottish Swimming and Swim Wales. British Gas is supporting the team's quest for medals on the world and Olympic stage - and giving as many people as possible the opportunity to learn to swim and use swimming as part of a healthy lifestyle. British Gas wants to ensure local pools remain at the heart of our communities. By using its expertise, it can help them reduce costs by being more energy efficient and safeguard the facilities for this and future generations. For more information visit www.britishgas.co.uk/swimming

About Speedo®
The world’s leading swimwear brand, Speedo® is passionate about life in and around the water, creating revolutionary new technologies, designs and innovations. Supporting swimming from grass-roots through to elite level, including the phenomenal Michael Phelps, Speedo® is owned by Speedo Holdings B.V and distributed in over 170 countries around the world; SPEEDO, the ARROW device, FASTSKIN, LZR PULSE, SPEEDO ENDURANCE, FLIPTURNS, FASTSKINFSII, SPEEDO BIOFUSE, SWYM and LZR RACER are registered trademarks of Speedo Holdings B.V. The LZR RACER suit has worldwide design rights and patents pending.