MSP Lends Support to #everychildcanswim Campaign
Scottish Swimming had the eyes and ears of local MSP Liz Smith this week to highlight the importance of every child in Scotland being given the opportunity to learn to swim before they leave primary school, officially launching the start of its #everychildcanswim campaign.
Recent research suggests that approximately 30 to 40% (15,000 to 20,000) of children in Scotland are leaving primary school unable to swim, a high percentage of those children who cannot swim living in the socially deprived areas of Scotland. With the provision of primary school swimming lessons being a non-statutory requirement in Scotland, delivery of school swimming lessons differs extensively between and even within local authorities.
Local MSP, Liz Smith sponsored a reception in the Scottish Parliament and ahead of the event the governing body and Edinburgh Leisure held a swimming lesson at the Royal Commonwealth Pool and gave 40 primary school children from Pirniehall Primary School in Edinburgh the chance to be taught to swim by Team Scotland members Megan Briggs, Kathryn Johnstone, Corrie Scott, Andrea Strachan, Kieran McGuckin, Jack Thorpe and James Heatly, and IPC European Championships Qualifier Scott Quin, who all train at the pool. The athletes not only helped the children with their lesson, but showed them how much fun swimming is, with a great deal of splashing and lots of noise. The children have benefitted from the Top Up Programme, funded by the Scottish Government, which helped to recruit additional swimming teachers.
Liz Smith MSP said:
"May I warmly congratulate Scottish Swimming on their efforts to provide many more children across Scotland with the opportunity to learn to swim. The statistics which show that possibly just over a third of Scottish children cannot swim when they leave primary school is a stark reminder of just how much work we have to do to make this a universal provision.
“Swimming is an essential part of personal fitness. It is also fun and a great way of making new friends and boosting community activity within local pools and leisure centres."
Forbes Dunlop, Chief Executive Officer at Scottish Swimming, said:
“Swimming is the sport for all, the sport for life. Learning to swim at an early age sets a positive foundation towards a lifetime of participation and enjoyment in a variety of water sports and aquatic activities. We are delighted to be given the opportunity to share our vision and campaign on such a platform and we hope to secure the appropriate backing, which will support our continued efforts to provide not only swimming in schools, but also offer quality training to Local Authorities to help deliver the programme.
“Scottish Swimming’s vision is to ensure that every child can swim. The governing body believes that it’s never too early to introduce children to water and give them a firm foundation in a skill that will put them on a journey towards a lifetime of participation and enjoyment.”
The vision is backed up by Sir Peter Heatly CBE DL, Triple Commonwealth Gold Medalist and Life Vice President of the Commonwealth Games Federation, who attended the Parliamentary Reception:
"I have been involved with swimming all my life in one capacity or another; as a competitor, technical official, volunteer, manager, administrator and parent. It is so important that every child learns to swim, as it is both a life skill and a confidence builder. Swimming presents children with the option of participating in a more active lifestyle and, while some may go to be the next generation of stars, all will be healthier and safer - there is no downside."
Olympian and reigning Commonwealth Champion for 400m IM, Hannah Miley, said:
“I initially got into swimming not because my family wanted me to become an Olympic swimmer, but they genuinely wanted to make sure me and my brothers were safe or knew how to be safe around water. Olympic silver medallist, Michael Jamieson, also supports the campaign: “It would be great to ensure more children in Scotland learn to swim and are safe in, on and around water. I learnt to swim when I was 5 when my parents signed me up to swimming lessons at my local pool and believe every child in Scotland should be given the opportunity to learn to swim before they leave primary school.”