‘Hung out to dry’ (From Warrington Guardian)

‘Hung out to dry’

11:59am Thursday 20th September 2007

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ELITE swimming clubs could get less time in the water in order to give children who can't swim more lessons.

The recommendations, made in a report by the council's leisure services department, state that more time needs to be given to four key groups: children who cannot swim 25m by age 11; people with disabilities; lessons for those with specific requirements such as women from ethnic communities; and adult swim lessons.

Warriors of Warrington, the swim- ming team, will continue to be supported, the report said.

Elite teams have already had to downsize, after Warrington Baths closed in 2003.

Elite training squads currently receive 10 hours pool time during peak midweek periods.

But the best swimmers spend around 21 hours a week swimming, said Warriors' chairman Andrew Callaghan.

"We've got swimmers in the 2012 Olympic potential team," said Helen Thornton, whose daughter swims for the Warriors.

"How are they meant to develop?" she asked.

The change would most likely mean the elite squad would train early in the morning and late at night, but the time between the sessions would not be enough for their bodies to recover.

l More than 600 pupils left junior school without being able to swim 25m in 2006.

A council spokesperson said: "The council is currently looking at swimming provision across the borough to ensure that all young people are able to actively participate in swimming."

More information will be available next week.

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