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Clubs can apply for TRY open water funding to help boost participation

Applications are now open for clubs to apply for Swim England funding to give members the chance to try open water swimming for the first time.

Following a successful pilot scheme last year, the TRY Open Water Programme is open again.

It aims to increase participation in the sport and clubs can apply for grants of up to £500 to help develop taster sessions.

The programme is flexible in format, allowing each club to run sessions how they feel will most benefit swimmers and reach the widest possible audience.

Plenty of positives from pilot

Sharon Lock, Swim England National Open Water Development Officer, said: “Funding will be allocated to allow clubs to provide taster sessions to anyone who isn’t already involved in open water swimming.

“The structure of these sessions is up to the club to design but the ultimate aim is that as many participants as possible have had a great introduction to the sport by the end of the programme.

“As a result, they then enter their regional Open Water Championships and also achieve the Open Water Swimming Awards as part of the process.

“During the pilot last year, around 100 club swimmers experienced open water swimming for the first time.

“The feedback was very positive and gave many of the swimmers the confidence and skills to enter the Regional Open Water Championships.”

Clubs must show evidence of a link with local partners or groups when applying and all projects should be completed by September 2020.

Application forms need to be submitted to Swim England by 5pm on Monday 24 February and the funding criteria can be downloaded here.

Anyone requiring further information should email sharon.lock@swimming.org.

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