Chester Sport and Recreation Trust Ltd (CADSART) is the latest organisation to implement the asa’s National Plan for Teaching Swimming (NPTS).

The National Plan will run alongside the asa Kellogg’s Awards Scheme and looks set to benefit well over 2,000 pupils that currently access swimming lessons at Northgate Arena Leisure Centre and Christleton Sports Centre, both located in Chester.

The contract formalises the relationship between the trust and the national governing body and the agreement to use the NPTS, a template for learn to swim schemes, means the centres will use the highest quality syllabus and awards system.  The plan is a comprehensive and progressive teaching programme based upon sound technical and educational principles.

As part of the deal the centres will continue to receive additional support and advice from the asa’s Business Team.  The Trust has recently applied for Aquamark Premier Status accreditation – the asa’s quality seal of approval for leisure providers.

Swimming lessons have been taking place at Northgate Arena since 1977 and the programme was taken over by Chester City Council in 1994.  The Charitable trust status was then established in 1996.  The trust will begin to use the revised version of the National Plan for their swim scheme later this year.  The scheme has close links with clubs within the area – City of Chester Swimming Club, City of Chester Water Polo Club and Chester City Life-Saving Club.

CADSART’s Swimming Development Officer Harry Peacock said: “The new asa National Plan for Teaching Swimming is infinitely superior to the original and offers an excellent framework for swimming development. It provides a common template linked to scientifically based Long Term Athlete Development principles for teaching swimming and related disciplines. The partnership with the asa will also provide an educational pathway for our staff via continuing professional development.”

ASA Business Team Manager Mandy Mason welcomes CADSART on board: “"The asa is committed to providing our partners with the support they need to deliver quality learn to swim programmes,” she said.  “We are pleased to welcome CADSART’s swim scheme and our Business Team will be working closely with them to ensure they build on their current success whilst using the National Plan for Teaching Swimming and the asa Kellogg's Awards Scheme."

Bruce Learner, Corporate Social Responsibility Manager at Kellogg’s, said:  “Nationally, we’re investing £3m in swimming between 2006 and 2008 by sponsoring the asa Swimming Awards Scheme and the development of the Kellogg’s Swim Active programme. In addition, we’re delighted to be sponsoring ten young British swimmers, collectively known as Team Kellogg’s, to help them realise their dream of succeeding on the world stage.”

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For more information contact the asa PR Assistant Claire Freeman on 01509 632238 or email claire.freeman@swimming.org

The asa is the English National Governing Body for Swimming, Diving, Water Polo, Open Water, and Synchronised Swimming. It organises competition throughout England, establishes the Laws of the Sport and operates comprehensive certification and education programmes for Teachers, Coaches and Officials as well as its renowned Learn To Swim Awards scheme. The asa supports 1,220 affiliated swimming clubs through a National/Regional/County structure. The asa aims to ensure everybody has an opportunity to learn to swim.

The asa Kellogg’s Awards Scheme is the most successful awards scheme in British sport and issues around two million awards every year to swimmers all around the world.

For more information about asa Awards please see www.swimming.org