Richmondshire Leisure Trust is the latest organisation to implement the asa’s National Plan for Teaching Swimming (NPTS) at its pool in Richmond, North Yorkshire.

The new five-year deal formalises the relationship with the national governing body and sees them working in partnership until 2013.

The agreement to use the NPTS, a template for learn to swim schemes, means the pool 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.

The National Plan will run alongside the asa Kellogg’s Awards Scheme and looks set to benefit the 1,800 children and adults that currently access swimming lessons at Richmond Pool when it is launched there in September 2008. 

There is a well-developed swim scheme and schools programme at the pool, which has been in operation since 1976.  Children attend lessons starting at 5 months old and can progress to Richmond Dales Swim Club, Rookie Lifeguard or water polo.  Past pupils include Olympic swimmer Joanne Jackson. The pool also runs adult classes at all levels and is about to offer lessons for children with special needs or disabilities. 

Operations Manager David Pullinger believes the new deal will help to further develop their swim programme.

“The asa National Plan for Teaching Swimming is a well structured and progressive scheme which can not only teach swimming and improve child safety it can eventually lead pupils into further aquatic disciplines”.

The asa Business Team Manager Mandy Mason welcomes Richmondshire Leisure Trust 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 Richmondshire Leisure Trust’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: “Kellogg’s has been working in partnership with the asa since 1997, investing £1 million a year between 2006 and 2008. We’re passionate about promoting the ongoing benefits of physical activity and hope to break down barriers that prevent families from participating in swimming through the Kellogg’s Swim Active programme.”

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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 the asa Awards please see www.swimming.org.