February 2, 2012
Kids can improve their swim-ability this half term thanks to a new intensive course available at centres across Portsmouth.
With the London 2012 Olympic Games coming up this summer, it is hoped that lots of the city's young people will be getting inspired by sport. This is one of a number of initiatives that will give young people in Portsmouth the chance to try sports featured in the games.
This series of week-long swimming ‘crash courses’ are aimed at pupils in school years 1 and 2 and will take place during the February half term (13-19 February). They will held at the Mountbatten Centre, Charter Community Sports Centre and Eastney Swimming Pool. All sessions will be led by qualified and experienced swimming instructors. The programme offers 192 spaces across 24 courses at a cost of just £5 for the week long programme.
Cllr Lee Hunt, cabinet member for culture, leisure and sport said: “It is really important for young people to have a good experience in the pool when they start to learn how to swim. This course is a fantastic opportunity for kids who are new to swimming to get some valuable water confidence that hopefully will encourage them to keep up swimming once they go back to school. The council has heavily subsidised these week long courses because we understand the value of learning to swim."
Further information and application forms are available from all the sports centres named above or by contacting Matt Birch at Portsmouth City Council on 023 9284 1193 or emailing matthew.birch@portsmouthcc.gov.uk. The course is only available to residents of Portsmouth.
The programme has been developed by Portsmouth City Council Sports Development in partnership with Parkwood Leisure, who operate the Mountbatten Centre, Charter Community Sports Centre and Eastney Swimming Pool.
