Swim England working with Everyone Active to deliver Club Link programme

An initiative to help hundreds of children progress from learn to swim lessons to a club environment has been launched by Swim England and Everyone Active.

The Club Link programme is to be rolled out across 125 facilities nationwide and aims to introduce youngsters to local aquatic clubs of all disciplines during their time within the Learn to Swim framework.

The opportunity will only be open to SwimMark accredited clubs. Everyone Active will invite clubs to get involved in the programme and this process will be managed in three cohorts over the next ten months.

The sessions will run alongside regular swimming lessons and will be jointly led by Everyone Active teachers and club coaches over a 12-week period.

The two bodies have a target of establishing 90 Club Link sessions by January 2023, which will see children in stage 7 of the Learn to Swim programme being invited to take part.

‘Innovative programme’

Andy Jack, Swim England’s club and operator relationships manager, said of the programme: “Swim England is delighted to be rolling out this programme in partnership with Everyone Active.

“They are industry-leaders in this field and have successfully delivered this programme in the past which has seen great results.”

Becky Walker, club growth and programme manager at Swim England, added: “The continued prosperity of Swim England’s clubs is of the utmost importance to us as the national governing body.

“Club Link sessions are an innovative way of not only furthering the development of children within the Learn to Swim framework, but also guiding them through the transition from their swimming lesson to a club environment should they wish to join.

“Nurturing young people at the grassroots level of all aquatic sports is a key priority for Swim England and this programme will greatly contribute to those efforts.”

‘The link between lessons and clubs is crucial’

Ian Cotton, group aquatic and activity manager at Everyone Active, said of the partnership: “It is fantastic to be working alongside Swim England to deliver this programme on such a large scale.

“The link between swimming lessons and clubs is a crucial one and Everyone Active, with the support of Swim England, are determined to help youngsters bridge that gap.

“We are looking forward to rolling out this initiative across our facilities and hope that this programme will have a positive impact on thousands of children, clubs and lessons programmes across England.”