00-33 Cover-News:SPN Master pages 12/9/08 19:37 Page 20
spnnews
Scottish swimming clubs at serious risk
SwimmingclubsinScotlandarebeingforcedoutofbusinessbythe
soaring price of pool hire, damaging the chances of producing
futuremedal-winners.
Clubsfacechargesofupto£70,000ayearinhirefeesalone,and
thecostisbeingpassedontoswimmers,whopayasmuchas£700
annuallyinfees.
TenclubsacrossScotlandhavedisappearedinthepastfiveyears
due to financial pressures, leaving thousands of swimmers with
nowheretotrain.
Andwiththecostofpoolheatingrisingevenfurther,moreclubs
areexpectedtogobustinthenextyear.
Swimming clubs in Scotland have long waiting lists, some
stretching to a year, because of the volume of people wanting to
learntoswimorcompeteinthepool.
Boom in swimming this summer has included a
As there are only four 50m pools in the country – and only two
number of people interested in lane swimming
of those are Olympic standard – there is pressure on facilities and
theamountofwatertimeavailable,whichpushespricesup.
POOLS REPORT POST
Scotland traditionally punches above its weight in swimming at
an elite level. Some 10 of the 36-strong British squad in Beijing
OLYMPICS SWIMMING BOOM
camefromScotland.
But if pool hire charges, which are reliant on the cost of the
Youngsters have been jumping Sheadded:“Swimminginstils energy needed to heat the pool 24 hours a day, continue to rise it
in swimming pools all over the such amazing qualities in couldjeopardisethefutureofyoungswimmers.
UK to follow in the glittering children. The Olympics makes Richard Gordon, of Scottish Swimming, said the situation was
wakeoftheBeijingOlympics. kids want to be part of it. There reachingcrisispoint.Hesaid:“Wewillinevitablyloseseveralclubs
Swimming pools and clubs is such a strong camaraderie over this, and the problem is there are fewer clubs emerging so
have reported a splashing betweenthoseattheclub.” therearefewerpeoplepractisingswimmingasasport.
increase in business – and have Ian Cotton, Chairman of “We did a survey of clubs and most of them said they would
put it down to Britain’s success Suffolk County Amateur willingly take on more members but they just can’t get the water
intheWaterCubeinBeijing. Swimming Association, said: “I time,andwithpricesrisingastheyarethat’snotlikelytochange.”
Team GB had 21 finalists and thinktheOlympicshasbeenvery He added that swimming clubs at all levels were “absolutely
broke 24 British records and successful in pushing the sport essential” for identifying talented swimmers and taking them to
the knock-on effect for the forward and certainly with the an elite standard. He said: “Because many schools do not offer
grassroots of the sport has next Olympics being in London swimming as part of the curriculum, all our recruiting is done
been stunning. there is a real good feel-factor from clubs.“
Neil Frankilin, Duty Manager aboutthesportingeneral.
at Exeter’s Pyramids Leisure “We expect a rise in the
Centre,said:“Wehavedefinitely number of people participating
got busier during the Olympics. in swimming. Clubs are hoping
Businessreallyhaspeaked. for a boost and a number of
“Inaddition,therehasbeena poolshavebeenbusieroverthe
EARLY FREE SWIMMING TEST
larger number of people summer. We are even seeing an
ENDS IN TOUGH DECISION
interestedinlaneswimmingand increase in adult swimming
the more technical aspects of lessons at the moment. I think InoneofthefirsttestsoftheGovernmentfreeswimmingambitions
thesport.” the health agenda has been on for the young and elderly – one authority has had to make an
TheExeValleyLeisureCentre the radar for a while but the “eitheror“decision.
in Tiverton has seen a rise in Olympicshasaddedtothat.” So pensioners are set to receive free swimming in pools across
customers. AtCrawley’sK2leisurecentre Warwick district but youngsters could miss out all together due to
StephenRadford,arecreation aspiring 2012 athletes are alackoffunding.
assistant, said: “It’s been a lot alreadytakingadvantageofthe Councillors were expected to give the green light to free
busier in the last couple of Olympic-size 50m competition swimmingandlessonsforover60’sbutareportsaidtherewas‘no
weeks. It was heaving this poolandthreedivingplatforms, way’freelessonsforunder16’scouldbesubsidisedbecauseofthe
morning. The Olympics have as well as the athletics stadium revenue which would be lost. Scrapping admission charges for
definitely had an influence. and the longest tumbling track youngsters was in doubt because funding would rely on the share
Furthermore, we have had a lot in the country for gymnastics. ofacentralgranttheauthoritycouldreceive.
more inquiries about lessons A Crawley Borough Council Youngsters and pensioners pay between £1.70 and £1.95 to
thanusual.” spokesman said: “The pool is swimatcouncil-runpools.
Kim Stead, of the Exeter beingputforwardasapotential The report revealed an estimated £145,000 would be lost from
Swimming Club, said: “The Olympic training camp for 2012 admissionsinayearifbothagegroupsweregivenfreeswimming.
Olympics have been fantastic. and we already have some top And while Government money would cover almost all of the
The American Phelps in athletestrainingthere. estimated £44,000 that would be lost from older swimmers,
particular is a phenomenal “Part of the reason for fundingforunder16’swouldonlycoveraroundhalfofthe£106,000
swimmer. It’s really exciting and opening the bike centre is whichwouldbelostinadmissions.
soinspirationalforthekids. recognising the importance in The report ruled out subsidising free lessons for under 16’s,
“Itisnotasportthatnormally gettingpeopleinvolvedingrass which it estimated would have cost a further £170,000, and said
gets a lot of exposure in the rootsandgrowthanddemandis scrapping admission charges would only be viable if other local
media. It’s great that the sport going to grow in the run-up to authorities didn’t subscribe to the Government scheme, leaving
seems to be developing a theLondonOlympics,especially themwithabiggershareofthepot.
biggerprofile.” afterourrecentsuccesses.”
20 swimming pool news OCTOBER 08 Digital edition available at www.swimmingpoolnews.co.uk
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