working for swimming

Key players from within the UK’s swimming sector have come together for the first time to ​form a new group to tackle common challenges facing the sector.

The aim of the Alliance is to offer a single, cohesive voice on crucial issues affecting public ​swimming pools and open water spaces across the UK and to develop solutions that can be ​implemented by all those involved.

Initially convened by Sport England, the founding members of the Swimming Alliance represent ​the diversity of the sector and include leisure operators, National Governing Bodies, charities ​and membership organisations.

A number of key issues have already been identified following a survey by Alliance members ​and include: increasing learning to swim and participation levels amongst adults and children, ​tackling the impact of energy prices on municipal pools, increasing the use of swimming for ​health initiatives, ensuring that open water is safe and clean for outdoor swimmers and ​increasing diversity at all levels of swimming.

Chair elected

The Swimming Alliance’s newly elected voluntary chair is Debbie Kaye, the former chair of ​the Chief Cultural & Leisure Officers Association. Debbie comments: “By working together ​and combining our expertise and resources we believe that we will be able to achieve more. ​On a number of swimming related issues, the partner bodies within the Swimming Alliance ​have a common cause. Enabling us to speak with a single voice, be that to Government or ​to the general public, and collaborate effectively on solutions.

“Access to swimming in the UK is currently at risk, due to a multitude of factors. The ​number of children learning to swim is continuing to fall and the number of drownings are ​rising; increasing numbers of public swimming pools are threatened with closure due to ​high energy costs and the financial pressures on local authorities, and Britain’s coast and ​rivers are experiencing unprecedented levels of water pollution. It is crucial that we act ​together and act now to ensure the situation gets better, not worse.”

Debbie Kaye

Chair

Swimming Alliance calls on the Labour Government to ​put sport, recreation, and physical activity at the heart ​of its mission to promote health and well-being and ​address inequalities

The physical and mental health crisis facing the country is significant and impacts our society in many ​ways, from affecting well-being, putting pressure on the National Health Service, and creating recruitment ​and retention challenges for business.

A wealth of evidence shows that swimming and other physical activities should be recognised and ​leveraged as part of the solution. We know that regular physical activity can transform the lives of millions, ​leading to a healthier nation, a more productive workforce and helping tackle inequalities. Thus, a ​coordinated approach to promoting physical activity and swimming should be integral to Government ​policy, embedded in local place partnerships and supported by investment.

The Swimming Alliance’s chair Debbie Kaye said: “A change of Government provides an opportunity for a ​fresh approach. The Swimming Alliance comprises many of the major bodies involved in the sport and has ​potential to be a powerful force for change. We are ready to work with Government to tackle these issues ​and be part of the solutions.”

Find out more about

The Swimming Alliance

Whether you or your organisation would like to enquire about becoming a ​member or you would like to find out more, please get in touch