News Release
BSPF JOINS SWIMMING POLICY GROUP TO LOBBY FOR IMPROVEDSWIMMING PROVISION
Members of the Forum include Sport England and otherhigh-profile organisations. The BSPFaims to ensure that the value of swimming is acknowledged by Government andreflected in its policies. AllenBrobyn, Managing Director of the BSPF, comments, As the countrys most popularsporting activity, and one that has unique health benefits, swimming merits itsown specific strategy and appropriate investment. The BSPF has a web site on ePolitix.com on which it has set outits views on swimming and related issues.
The BSPF has been set up to bring together, in oneorganisation, the UK bodies representing contractors, manufacturers,distributors and retailers of swimming pools, spas, saunas, steam rooms andassociated equipment.
Swimming is a compulsory subject in primary schools, notjust for its recreation value but also because of its safety merits.
They should be confident in water, understand the skillsof water safety and survival, and be able to float and adopt supportpositions. However, cuts in Governmentfunding over the last 30 years, coupled with increased maintenance costs, haveled to a steady decrease in the number of primary schools with their ownswimming pools. Public swimming facilities have also declined in many areas.
Key issues identified in the Government report Testingthe waters: the sport of swimming earlier this year are as follows:
Dedicated funding should be made availableto local authorities for their swimming pools
Evidence from campaigns against poolclosures confirms that loss of community based pools has led to swimming beingtaken off the school curriculum altogether in some areas of the country
Unless existing community pools arerefurbished and the facilities improved, more affluent swimmers will be drawnaway to private leisure pools, taking with them valuable revenue
Swimming is enjoyed by and benefits all agegroups
Whilst existing 25 metre pools need to bemodernised, there appears to be a case for investing in a limited number of 50metre pools that can be used by the community and for training competitiveswimmers
The BSPFstrading and building standards arm is the Swimming Pool and Allied TradesAssociation (SPATA). Its members liaiseregularly with local authorities and schools to increase pool provision,allowing children and the local community to enjoy their swimming activities.
If you would liketo read what the BSPF has to say about swimming, please log onto
For further pressinformation please contact Kirsty Murray on
Tel:0208 770 9720 or email:
The British Swimming Pool Federation(BSPF) has been set up to bringtogether, in one organisation, the UK bodies representing contractors,manufacturers, distributors and retailers of swimming pools, spas, saunas,steam rooms and associated equipment.
Experienced pool builders havedeveloped these authoritative standards over the past 40 years.