WIREDGOV

Children and young people in Wales will now be able to enjoy swimming and other leisure centre activities for free at weekends.

At a visit to Newbridge Leisure Centre, Minister for Heritage, Alun Ffred Jones today announced changes to the popular free swimming scheme to make it more widely available.

“Since its launch in 2004 our free swimming scheme has proved hugely popular with tens of thousands of young people taking to the pool and enjoying regular exercise in the school holidays.

“So I am delighted to announce the expansion of the scheme to meet our One Wales commitment to allow young people to benefit from this all year round.”

A change to the minimum criteria of the current scheme, means that local authorities will now offer free swimming sessions or other leisure centre activities for children aged 16 and under on weekends as well as school holidays.

The new agreement with local authorities also places more emphasis on delivery of structured sessions, which have greater participation and will help deliver the Assembly Government’s aim of every child learning to swim by the age of 11.

“Our research shows that structured sessions are popular and help more children learn how to swim,” Mr Jones added.

“As well as ensuring every child in Wales has the opportunity to learn this important skill, making these sessions available at weekends will make it easier for young people to get all the exercise they need.

“I recently launched the Change4Life campaign which asks families to take regular exercise and swimming can play an important part in that. Children and young people will also have the opportunity to take part in other free activities at their leisure centre. So I really hope this encourages them to try new sports and activities which they will carry on into adult life.”

Some local authorities in Wales have already started offering the new sessions and all are expected to be up and running by September 2010.

Prof. Laura McAllister, Chair of Sport Wales, said:

“Free Swim is helping young people across Wales to undertake regular exercise, but also to learn to swim or improve water safety skills. Free Swim now offers a balanced programme of structured activities, dry-side activities as well as the opportunity to have a splash about at the weekend.

“By ensuring free access, this measure from the Wales Assembly Government means that all children in Wales will have the opportunity to swim or take part in other structured sessions such as helping more children learn to swim, or begin playing water polo or kayaking. By making Free Swim more accessible, we are one step closer to encouraging more children across Wales to get hooked on sport for life.”

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