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£670K Cash injection for swimming in Scotland

Monday 30 January 2006

Swimming in Scotland today received a sportscotland cash injection of £670,000 that will benefit swimmers at all levels across the country. 

£670K Cash injection for swimming in Scotland

Sports Minister Patricia Ferguson and Julia Bracewell, Chair, sportscotland, today joined forces at the National Swimming Academy in Stirling to announce funding to help the governing body bring home the message that "Everyone Can Swim!".

Accepting the annual funding investment on behalf of the governing body was Scottish Swimming CEO Ashley Howard. The investment is targeted to key areas of the sport’s corporate plan, including coaching, staffing, club development, support for elite athletes and organisational development.

This year’s Athlete Support investment will also see 28 talented athletes across the country receive funds to excel at the highest levels, with many of the Commonwealth Games aquatics team benefiting.

Speaking today at the National Swimming Academy in Stirling, Ms Ferguson said: "This funding will benefit swimmers at all levels across Scotland – from those who like a leisurely dip at their local pool to elite competitors challenging for the top prizes.

This funding will benefit swimmers at all levels across Scotland – from those who like a leisurely dip at their local pool to elite competitors challenging for the top prizes

"Swimming is a genuine sport for all and as our top athletes prepare to compete at the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne, there is no better time to highlight the benefits.

"Whether you want to learn how to swim, improve your technique or cut back your personal best by a fraction of a second, this investment in the sport will help people achieve their ambitions."

Annual funding also gives Scottish Swimming the means to strengthen the structure and support available to place swimmers on the Olympic, World and Commonwealth stages. In fact, £311,000 of sportscotland’s investment will go directly towards the high performance programme to cover and enhance coaching, training, competition costs and medal success, as well as the individual Athlete Support Programme.

Ashley Howard, CEO of Scottish Swimming, said: "Scottish Swimming is delighted to receive this level of funding from sportscotland. There is no doubt that with this investment and the partnership support we receive from sportscotland, Scottish Swimming will be able to fulfil its vision and ensure that every single person in Scotland has access to quality swimming programmes, regardless of age or ability.

"The additional funding we received from the Scottish Executive of £40k is another great boost for swimming in Scotland and SwimGym™ is a great example of how this money is working in local communities. Early feedback shows that the product has much to offer and we hope to do our part in helping to improve the health of the nation."

SwimGym™ is a Scottish Executive healthyliving product which offers ten focused and progressive swimming schedules, designed for use in the pool. SwimGym™ offers three levels – beginner, intermediate and advanced – and is based on research which indicates that people enjoy swimming to keep fit but find laps uninspiring. Also included in the SwimGym™ pack are healthyliving tips and information on stroke improvement. Users can tailor SwimGym™ to their needs and time commitments, unlike classes which are more fixed. So far, more than 1500 copies of the programme have been taken on by individuals, swimming providers and local authorities, with Argyll and Bute District Council having placed the most recent order.

Julia Bracewell OBE, Chair of sportscotland, said: "We are delighted to invest £670,000 in Scottish Swimming to get people of all ages in Scotland more active in the water, more often. Innovative programmes such as SwimGym™ and further enhancement of coaching education will boost interest in and commitment to all the aquatic disciplines.

"At the elite level, in this Commonwealth Games year, we are proud to have supported so many of the members of the Scotland aquatics team. I am sure that the Athlete Support funding, both past and present, will have made a significant contribution to enable them to undertake the best possible training and preparation programme ahead of Melbourne. We wish all the athletes good luck in the pool this March."

  • Based at the National Swimming Academy at the University of Stirling Campus, Scottish Swimming is the national governing body for swimming, diving, water polo, synchro, open water and masters. The National Swimming Academy provides state-of-the-art facilities and services for all swimmers at the national, district and club level.
  • Scottish Swimming comprises four districts – North, Midland, East and West and has 165 affiliated swimming clubs across the country.
  • A list of the athletes benefiting from Athlete Support is detailed below. Athlete Support funding is now largely administered through the governing body. All athletes who receive Athlete Support will be supported by the sportscotland medical scheme.
  • The XVIII Commonwealth Games take place in Melbourne, Australia from 15-26 March.
  • Also attending today’s photocall was Willie Young, Principal Leisure Officer, Argyll and Bute District Council, who recently placed a substantial order for SwimGym™
  • Further details of SwimGym™ are available online at www.scottishswimming.com

Identified athletes receiving Athlete Support

  • Ranald Falconer (City of Aberdeen Swim Team), ABERDEEN, AB11
  • Robbie Renwick (City of Aberdeen Swim Team), ABERDEEN, AB15
  • Gemma Sutherland (South Aberdeenshire Squad), ABERDEEN, AB10
  • Kerry Buchan (South Aberdeenshire Squad), BANCHORY, AB31
  • Andrew Hunter (Stirling Swimming), BERKHAMSTED, HP4
  • Scott Houston (Stirling Swimming), DALRY, KA24
  • Stuart Houston (Stirling Swimming), DALRY, KA24
  • Craig Houston (Stirling Swimming), DALRY, KA24
  • Ross Clark (City of Dundee Swimming Club), DUNDEE, DD2
  • Fiona Booth (Warrender Baths Club), EDINBURGH, EH17
  • Kristopher Gilchrist (City of Edinburgh Swimming), EDINBURGH, EH14
  • Robert Lang (City of Edinburgh Swimming), EDINBURGH, EH16
  • Louise Pate (Heart of Midlothian ASC), EDINBURGH, EH12
  • David Leith (City of Edinburgh Swimming), EDINBURGH, EH9
  • Billy Purnell (Warrender Baths Club), EDINBURGH, EH6
  • Lewis Smith (Warrender Baths Club), EDINBURGH, EH10
  • Hannah Miley (Garioch ASC), INVERURIE, AB51
  • Euan Dale (Loughborough University S & WPC), DUNS, TD11
  • Lorna Smith (City of Glasgow Swim Team), PAISLEY, PA2
  • Robert Lee (Stirling Swimming), LINLITHGOW, EH49
  • Christopher Chasser (South Aberdeenshire Squad), ABERDEEN, AB10
  • Mark Branch (REN 96), IRVINE, KA11
  • Niki Bennet (Edinburgh Diving ASC), EDINBURGH, EH8
  • Todd Cooper (Stirling Swimming), KIDDERMINSTER, DY11
  • Stephanie Hill (Nova Centurion SC), BELPER, DE56
  • Chris Jones (City of Southampton SC), MARLBOROUGH, SN8
  • Robyn Matthews (City of Edinburgh Swimming), EDINBURGH, EH3
  • Monique McCarrol (Southampton Diving Academy), SOUTHAMPTON, SO19

Total Athlete Support: £95,000
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