Combo Cup Inspired To Try sessions a 'great success'

Free artistic swimming Inspired to Try sessions have helped ‘raise the profile of the sport’ and seen clubs pick up new members.

Three Yorkshire-based artistic swimming clubs put on the taster sessions ahead of the Swim England Combo Cup in a bid to attract youngsters to give the sport a whirl.

More then 20 youngsters aged between five and 17-years-old took part with around half of them joining local clubs – and others expressing an interest in doing so.

The sessions were hailed as a success by the clubs hosting them – Borough of Kirklees ASC, South Yorkshire Swans ASC and City of Bradford ASC.

Every child who attended a session received a participation medal and was eligible for two free tickets to watch the Swim England Combo Cup.

Charlotte Hughes, the head coach at City of Bradford ASC, said: “We really enjoyed hosting our Inspired to Try Artistic Swimming Sessions and have introduced some amazing new swimmers to the sport.

“We are pleased that everyone enjoyed the sessions and we have had some great feedback from parents.

“With the support from Swim England, these sessions have been fantastic and vital to help promote our club.

“We have recently moved to a new area and pool, so the Inspired to Try sessions have been a great help to our membership drive in our new home.

“We have already welcomed some of the participants who took part in the sessions into our lesson scheme and we look forward to continue inspiring the next generation of swimmers.”

‘Making new friends’

One parent, Emma, said: “My daughter took part in the Inspired to Try taster sessions for artistic swimming with City of Bradford.

“She absolutely loved the session and was thrilled to have made a little routine up with the other swimmers to perform.

“It was lovely to see her making friends, too. She is now counting the days until she can swim again.

“Thank you for giving her this opportunity.”

At Borough of Kirklees, club chair Emma O’Connor said: “The Inspire to Try programme has been very easy to engage with.

“The marketing material has demonstrated that we are part of Swim England and the whole process has been fantastic at raising the profile of BOK Artistic Swimming Club.”

Stephanie Gadd, Swim England programme officer for growth, said: “The Artistic Swimming Inspired to Try programme has been a great success.

“It has really helped raise the profile of the sport locally and it is great to see so many new youngsters giving the sport a try.

“The clubs engaged really well with the programme and are now reaping the rewards in terms of welcoming new members.”

To find out more about how to get involved in artistic swimming, and find a club near you, visit discover.swimming.org.