Swim England and partners have launched the Para-Swimming London project
January 13, 2023
Swim England have teamed up with a range of partners to launch the new Para-Swimming London project to get more young people with disabilities into the pool.
The national governing body is working with Level Water, London Swimming, Evalina Children’s Hospital and London Sport on a project that hopes to find the para-swimmers of the future.
The project comes after research by Swim England found there were low numbers of para-swimmers in certain areas of the country’s capital.
Bromley, Bexley, Greenwich, Lambeth, Lewisham and Southark are the six boroughs targeted by the initiative, which will seek to set up a starting para-swimming program in the area.
Start Para Swimming programs serve as an introduction to para swimming with sessions conducted by qualified Swim England coaches and instructors to provide an important stepping stone in introducing swimmers to the para swim path.
The programs allow the Swim England Para-Swimming Talent Team to identify swimmers much earlier in their journey which could result in swimmers being invited into the talent program which develops athletes for national and international competitions.
“Enhance Opportunities”
Funding for the project comes after Swim England teamed up with Level Water to successfully apply for part of the Together Me fund managed by London Sport.
Funding will be used to offer specific 1:1 swim lessons through Level Water, free trial courses for families with disabilities, and CPD opportunities for teachers and coaches to create a Start Para-swimming connection and create a path that is open and accessible to future generations.
Work on the campaign has already begun and by the end of the month Level Water is aiming for 20 young people to start 1:1 swimming lessons.
A free swim trial session open to anyone with a physical disability will be held at Castle Center on Friday 17th February before a start para swim program begins in March.
Martin Lees, Swim England’s Para-swimming Development Manager, is excited about the benefits the program will bring.
He said: “This is a really exciting project where partners are working together to improve local opportunities for young people with disabilities to access and benefit from swimming.
“We are particularly excited about the launch of Start Para-Swimming in March, which will help provide opportunities to improve their water skills with the idea of becoming a para swimmer and becoming a member of the swim club in the near future.”
Here you can find out more and express your interest in the trial lesson.
