The Clean Water Sports Alliance in action – recognising a year of impact

Swim England and six other national governing bodies are celebrating the first anniversary of the Clean Water Sports Alliance.

Swim England united with Angling Trust, British Triathlon, British Rowing, GB Outrigger, Paddle UK, Royal Yachting Association to highlight the growing issue of water pollution by forming the Alliance.

The ask was clear: healthy and nature-rich spaces for everyone to enjoy.

The Alliance set out three priorities:

• Further and faster action on pollution. Improving the health of UK waters by 2030
• Enable people to make real-time informed choices about where and when to participate
• Recognition of all recreational water users across decision making and policy.

One year on, the Clean Water Sports Alliance (CWSA) now represents 11 sports and continues to grow in strength and influence.

Over the past year, the Alliance has engaged directly with water companies, shared unified data, and met with ministers and officials to ensure that the voices of millions of recreational water users are reflected in the industry’s future.

Andy Salmon, Swim England chief executive, said: “Swim England is proud to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with our fellow sports who all share a passion for cleaning up our waterways on behalf of the millions of people who enjoy our sports each year.

“We’re stronger together and we can make a real difference.”

Sara Sutcliffe, chief executive of the Royal Yachting Association, added: “We’re proud to be one of the founding members of the Clean Water Sports Alliance.

“It’s grown into something bigger than we could have imagined, and it’s been a real privilege to learn from the other members, as we tackle this issue together.

“It remains a fantastic example of the power of collaboration in sport and we’ll continue to ensure that our voices will be heard.”

Milestones from a landmark year

April

• Clean Water Sports Alliance officially launched.
• Group meets Thames Water CEO.

September

• Surfing England, British Kitesport, British Sub-Aqua Club and the British Dragon Boat Racing Association join the Alliance- expanding to 11 sports.
• Work begins on joint bid with Severn Trent Water on the potential E. coli river testing programme.

October

• Alliance is shortlisted for a BBC Green Sports Award – Grassroots Organisation of the Year.
• Commitment is made to the Active Partnerships Environmental Sustainability events.

November

• RYA Cymru Wales, Canoe Wales, Welsh Triathlon and Welsh Rowing sign up to the Alliance with an announcement at the Sustainability in Sport Conference.
• The CWSA attend the River Action March for Clean Water.

December

• CWSA is announced as the 2024 SJA (Sports Journalists’ Association) Sport for Change Award winner.

January

• CWSA meet with Water UK.

March

• Government announces commitment to bathing water reform – a key ask of the CWSA.

April

• Alliance presents to the Water Commission as it investigates substantial changes to the water industry. The Alliance follow with an open letter to Sir Jon Cunliffe recommending a ‘public health’ objective.
• CWSA Northern Ireland is formed, meeting at Stormont to lobby their three NI ‘asks’.
• Emma Hardy MP, Defra Minister for Water and Flooding, praises NGBs for their ‘tireless advocacy’ in cleaning up our waterways through an open letter to the Alliance.
• Aquatics GB make plans to be the latest NGB to come on board.