London Pools Campaign: ASA

Relocation May Close Swimming Club (from News Shopper)

webteam — Sun, 06 Apr 2008 04:45:36 GMT

"PARENTS and coaches have warned that council plans to relocate a swimming club may force it to close.

Under the Greenwich Council plans, Eltham Stingrays club will need to move to Thamesmere Leisure Centre, Thamesmere Drive, Thamesmead, in September.

The 130-member club, which has had its pool time cut since the opening of the new Eltham Centre, Archery Road, met with councillors this week to discuss the plans.

Councillors says the shake-up is aimed at strengthening support for top-level competitive swimmers in the run-up to the 2012 Olympics.

The council says it wants to provide better use of pool time for competitive swimmers to train more frequently, greater opportunities for learners and pooling of coaches across the borough"

(Via Relocation May Close Swimming Club (from News Shopper): .)

Government commits to building Community Sport

webteam — Wed, 05 Dec 2007 08:32:27 GMT

output or outcome, sport or sporting, winner or winners ...

"ASA Chief Executive David Sparkes has welcomed a Government commitment to building a world class community sports infrastructure as part of the legacy of the London 2012 Olympics. Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport Rt Hon James Purnell has announced a review of Sport England’s strategy to deliver sporting infrastructure as being the starting point of creating improved community sport.
The Minister outlined the DCMS commitment to community sport as part of a promise that was made when winning the bid to host the 2012 Olympics - to create a world class sporting nation.
With success already achieved within the school sport system and elite sport system, the Minister has called for all involved to work together to ensure the community sport element of the promise is met.

[in Western Counties ASA]"

(Via NewsIsFree: Swimming Government commits to building Community Sport: .)

Is the ASA’s “Gem of a program” the solution to participation or the death knell for amateur swimming clubs?

webteam — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 00:21:27 GMT

Back in August, Colin Brown, director of London Region ASA, came up with what seemed, on the face of it, like a good idea. Based on “a gem of a program” in Barnet.

"The strength of the system comes from the fact Greenwich Leisure Ltd operate the pools on Barnet Council's behalf and they have implemented a coherent pathway from beginner to competitive swimmer with a diving and sychronised swimming section aiding retention. From learn-to-swim upwards the programme has had a 90 per cent take-up rate at the next level. The pathway was clearly both transparent and successful" [LINK]
and ... "Brown hopes the new model in which coaches are effectively employed by the pool operator rather than the club will also massively cut down on the administrative tasks carried out by the hard working army of volunteers who help keep the sport afloat" [LINK]

Sounds good, sets up a pathway into competitive swimming, covers all watersports, cuts down on work for volunteers?

However the reality is not turning out so jewel-like for ASA registered swimming clubs who are starting to be told that they are no longer part of the plan. Under the new scheme, only one club will be allowed per borough and that will be run by the leisure contractor.

One correspondent on Pooling Resources has written

"This isn't an isolated incident, London Swimming it seems have been talking to Local leisure providers (GLL, Leisure Connection, Parkwood etc) and the councils they work for, but, not necessarily the clubs involved, and seem to be putting in place the changes they want whether the clubs want it or not!

It also seems that the idea of swimming being the all encompassing activity will come true to. There was no mention of diving in the document, and I was informed that the 'Aquatics clubs' in each area will come together under the leisure providers..... Those that won't play ball will be frozen out. So, the plan seems to be that each borough will have a single 'aquatics club' run by the profit making Leisure provider. [LINK]"

For 140 years the sport of amateur swimming has been run by independent amateur swimming clubs. Is that now a thing of the past to be replaced by new 'commercially robust' methods?

(Via poolingresources : Message: Strategic plan??: .)

Statement on behalf of London Pools Campaign

webteam — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 22:17:08 GMT

A significant number of readers have questioned one of our postings and claimed that the subject of the posting and the linked website were fictitious or scurrilous. We are taking the unusual step of stating categorically that it is a true posting from the ASA South West Region website and no offence or disinformation was intended.
"Chipping Norton Lido is one of the few remaining open-air pools in the country and when it was threatened with closure members of the local community campaigned to keep the facility open. A dedicated group of local residents now manage the pool, which has become a real social enterprise success story and is well –regarded for its work with young people."

(Via ASA celebrates Swimtastic Achievements / News / Home - ASA South West: .)

ASA APPOINTS LIFELONG PARTICIPATION OFFICER

webteam — Mon, 29 Oct 2007 05:12:42 GMT

Shares in Nintendo, Myspace and Weight Watchers, and also national television viewing figures for Scrubs, Friends and Skins are set to collapse.

"Former national swimmer Muir-Cochrane has substantial experience in both public and private sector swimming development and is enjoying getting her teeth into the role. Her primary focus is to reduce the drop out of swimmers in their late teens and build a pathway to help keep more people in the sport for longer.

"It is important that we work hard to keep swimmers aged between 16 and 19 in the sport," Muir-Cochrane said. "This is the age when most swimmers will stop training and move away from the sport and now we need to make it a more attractive option for them. This will include looking at how offer swimming in colleges, school and Higher Education. I will also be working with clubs to help them re-engage with these swimmers."

(Via ASA home britishswimming.org : Homepage: .)

Swimming Education Prospectus launched

webteam — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 16:47:36 GMT

"The first ever Swimming Education and Training Course Prospectus is now available to view online.
The ASA has worked hard to improve the way teachers and coaches are trained via the Institute of Swimming (IoS) and the new prospectus is designed to give an overview of all the education and training opportunities available.
The new prospectus provides comprehensive information on all courses and training the ASA offers including UKCC, CPDs and AASE programmes. Information includes contact details, assessment details and duration of the courses. [LINK]

[in Western Counties ASA]"

(Via NewsIsFree: Swimming Swimming Education Prospectus launched: .)

London Strategic Plan for Swimming discussed again on pooling resources

webteam — Wed, 17 Oct 2007 16:16:23 GMT

"Having looked at the draft of this plan I have a number of concerns.

Being involved in one of the minority sports under the ASA (diving) it is noticeable that the report says nothing at all specific to either this or the other disciplines. The standard ASA approach has been taken to lump all aquatic disciplines under the one heading of 'swimming'."

(Via poolingresources : Message: London Strategic Plan for Swimming: .)

Everyday Swim shares lessons with industry

webteam — Mon, 15 Oct 2007 20:39:29 GMT

" The inaugural Everyday Swim conference in London has highlighted the role swimming can play in achieving legacy targets of 2012 and achieving local authority and wider Government ambitions.

The conference, which gave the Amateur Swimming Association its first formal opportunity to share learning from its £3m Everyday Swim project, was well received by over 180 delegates who accessed valuable tools and real life examples to boost swimming programmes and participation.

And the ASA was praised by Sport England Chair Derek Mapp who hailed the organisation as one of the most ‘can do’ governing bodies in the country and encouraged others to follow in the programmes footsteps.

“Everyday Swim is a great scheme that really does work,” he said. “Swimming is the second largest activity after walking and it has a huge role to play in helping successfully deliver the Olympic Games legacy."

(Via Latest News Everyday Swim shares lessons with industry: .)

Sparkes to speak at 2012 Healthy Conference

webteam — Thu, 11 Oct 2007 16:41:10 GMT

"ASA Chief Executive David Sparkes will address a conference in London next month on how the London 2012 Olympic Games can have a significant impact on the health of the nation.

The conference, which takes place on Wednesday 7 November at the University of East London will also be attended by Keynote speaker the Right Honourable Tessa Jowell, Minster for the Olympics and for London.

Health and Wellbeing: the legacy challenge conference looks at how we can use the one-off opportunity of the London 2012 Games to create both quick wins and sustainable gains in public health, regeneration, sustainable place-making, individual and community well-being and quality of life."

(Via Latest News Sparkes to speak at 2012 Healthy Conference: .)

photo opportunities or increasing participation - it's your choice

webteam — Tue, 09 Oct 2007 16:33:42 GMT

Discussion about the parlous state of swimming in Norfolk taking place on Pooling Resources has broadened to discuss the direction of aquatic sport.

"It's interesting the way things are promoted isn't it??

In a recent article in Pool & Spa Industry Magazine the ASA described the new Flip 'n Fun initiative as being designed to 'enthuse a whole new generation of children and teachers with Diving'
The programme has been designed to introduce children to diving without the need for diving boards.......

This is a great idea (no really!, BUT...

What happens when you have 'enthused' all these kids? If they live in, say Norfolk, where are they going to go?

Everyday swim, yes, but what about the other 'swimming disciplines' Mr Sparkes? No plans for new pools that will accomodate diving, WaterPolo or Synchronised swimming.....

And these are the people charged with developing the sports??"

(Via poolingresources : Message: Re: New pool for Hadleigh voted down: .)

ASA seek three-legged swimmer secret weapon

webteam — Wed, 14 Dec 2005 08:24:11 GMT

"A BRITISH swimming official helping to identify Olympic stars of the future paid a visit to the Isle of Man last week.
National Age Coach Tim Jones saw the Island's leading youngsters put through their paces at squad training sessions in Peel."

(Via Commonwealth Games preparations Sport - Isle of Man Today: SWIMMERS BOOSTED BY OLYMPIC TALENT SPOTTER VISIT: .)

Swimming chiefs warn against cut

webteam — Sat, 10 Dec 2005 06:33:53 GMT

"The Amateur Swimming Association warn London Olympic officials over plans to reduce the Aquatic Centre capacity."

(Via BBC Sport | Other Sports | Swimming | UK Edition Swimming chiefs warn against cut: .)

ASA seeking Regional Director for London

webteam — Mon, 26 Sep 2005 18:40:15 GMT

Position Regional Director - London

Closing Date 03 October 2005

Salary £35 - £45 (dependant on experience)

This is a unique opportunity for someone with a passion for sport and with the ability to get the job done, to deliver an exciting strategy for the most popular participation sport in London and in perhaps the most exciting and challenging sporting environment in the world. The ASA London Region is responsible for the delivery of the Amateur Swimming Association’s swimming strategy within the London Region.

SWEETENHAM UNDER THE MICROSCOPE

webteam — Mon, 26 Sep 2005 17:33:53 GMT

Some British swimmers' reported belief that Team GB's national performance director is not nice enough to them escalates. Bill Sweetenham was hired by the ASA to improve the performance of coaches and swimmers (who are often only able to train in 25-metre pools in their own country) so that they can win medals in 50-metre pools which are commonly used in Olympic and many international events. It has been said that he puts severe restrictions on their trips and brings them back to the UK to compete and for training - or removes their lottery-funded income. Sharron and Mark are expected to say many things soon.
"British butterfly record-holder James Hickman believes Bill Sweetenham treads a fine line with his 'brash, bold and blunt' approach to his role as national performance director.

The Amateur Swimming Association has revealed that an independent investigation is under way into allegations made in an article in The Times that Sweetenham bullied athletes, claims the Australian vehemently denies.

Hickman, now retired from the sport but still the 100 and 200 metres butterfly short course record-holder, has welcomed the enquiry and is likely to be interviewed as part of it.

'He has not necessarily been fantastic in man-management,' the 29-year-old told PA Sport."

(Via SWEETENHAM UNDER THE MICROSCOPE: Sporting Life | 2012 Olympic Games in London, : .)