This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Launch of Swimming Strategy
20/06/2003
The significant health benefits that participation in swimming can accrue received a boost today at the launch of Scotland's national swimming strategy.
Speaking at the Tollcross Leisure Centre where he was also presenting national swimming awards, Sports Minister Frank McAveety said that swimming is an activity that can be enjoyed by all regardless of age, gender or ability.
It was also vital that our young people are offered a clear pathway to lifelong participation whether at recreational or elite level.
The "Getting Scotland Swimming" document outlines the vision that every child in Scotland be able to swim by the age of ten and that swimming should be developed as an activity for lifelong participation.
The Minister said:
"While not everybody will be inclined to reach elite levels in swimming, it must be recognised that swimming at any level can provide significant health and other benefits.
"I'm delighted to be able to launch Scottish Swimming's strategy to get children and adults from all ages, genders and backgrounds into the pool. "Swimmers here today are receiving awards for their achievements but the rewards for all participants in terms of health, emotional development and general well-being are enormous. Swimming as an activity can play an important role in meeting the targets set out in Sport 21 and the Executive's Physical Activity Strategy.
"This strategy seeks to increase the availability of opportunity which will allow beginners to learn, recreational swimmers to increase their participation, or the more serious athlete to aspire to national level and
beyond".
ScottishSwimming the governing body for swimming in Scotland receives development grant aid from sportscotland. In the year to 31 October 2003 it will receive Exchequer funding of £278,666.
sportscotland launched in November 2001 a Swimming Pool Upgrade Programme under the Sports Facilities Programme of the Lottery Sports Fund. £10 million was allocated to the programme aimed at kick-starting the process of investment into Scotland's deteriorating stock of swimming pools. To date 10 awards totalling over £3 million have been made under the programme.