Forum is going swimmingly. . . (From Warrington Guardian)

Forum is going swimmingly. . .

SWIMMERS in Winsford are pooling their resources with the rest of Vale Royal to enhance opportunities for all ages and abilities.

Winsford and Northwich Swimming Clubs, Cheshire Penguins, Marbury Park Swimming Club and the Sub Aqua Clubs have formed the Vale Royal Swimming Forum, along with the pool providers of Sir John Deane's College and Vale Royal Borough Council.

Chris Bottomley, head of the council's leisure services department, said: "The commitment of all the Vale Royal swimming clubs to work together along with pool providers will hopefully strengthen the already talented swimmers in the area and at the same time allow increased opportunities for general, recreational swimming."

The forum has been meeting to produce a strategic plan for swimming which is currently being finalised and is due to be launched in September. Issues identified include coaching disability swimming, school swimming, pricing, marketing and facilities.

Andy Brittles, the sport and disability officer for Cheshire, highlighted the issue of the development of disability swimming.

He said: "This is a super opportunity for more understanding between all clubs. I hope this forum will help raise awareness and opportunity for more swimmers with a disability to take part from entry level all the way to elite.

"With more and better coaching this can only help improve the already successful county, national and international disabled swimmers who live in the area."

Ann Calvert, team manager of the Cheshire Penguins, which provides swimming opportunities for people with learning disabilities, said: "The club is proud to be part of the forum and looks forward to working with our partners to achieve the objectives set out in the plan."

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