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Published:
June 13, 2008
Burnham
Swim & Sports Academy announces swimming enrolment day
 Burnham-On-Sea's
new Swim & Sports Academy is to hold a swimming lesson enrolment
day later this month when swimmers of all ages will be able to
sign up for tuition and find out more about the classes and activities
on offer.
The
event will be held on Saturday June 21st at the Princess Hall
in Princess Street. Open enrolment will be held between 12pm -
2pm, and preferential sign-ups (for those swimmers already enrolled
in swimming classes at the pool) will be welcomed from 10am to
12pm. Classes will then begin at the new-look pool on Monday July
21st.
News
of the event comes after the pool's new bosses announced on Thursday
(June 12th) that they had agreed to implement the Amateur Swimming
Association's National Plan for Teaching Swimming (NPTS).
A
five-year deal will see the Burnham pool working in partnership
with the national governing body until 2013. The agreement to
use the NPTS, a template for 'learn-to-swim' schemes, means the
Academy will use the highest quality syllabus and awards system.
The plan is a comprehensive and progressive teaching programme
based upon sound technical and educational principles.
The
National Plan will run alongside the ASA Kellogg's Awards Scheme
and looks set to benefit the 350 students that currently receive
swimming lessons at Burnham pool. It will be launched in conjunction
with the re-opening of Burnham Pool as the Burnham-On-Sea Swim
& Sports Academy in July.
As
part of the deal, the Academy will also receive additional support
and advice from the ASA and will work towards Aquamark accreditation
- the ASA's quality seal of approval for leisure providers.
 The
pool was managed by Sedgemoor District Council until late last
year when spending constraints threatened closure, but Sara Cox-Conklin
and her husband Mark (who are pictured on the right with Sports
Academy Manager Martin Rogers) stepped in and successfully acquired
the pool's lease in April 2008.
Since
that time, the new owners have instigated a modernisation programme
to ensure the pool both caters for community needs and develops
as a centre of sporting excellence through its new role as a swimming
academy.
New
owner and former World Triathlon Champion and UK Modern Pentathlon
Champion Sara says she is excited about working closely with the
ASA.
She
told Burnham-On-Sea.com on Thursday: "We are looking forward
to implementing the ASA's highly structured programme, which is
based on years of research, planning and implementation."
"The
National Plan offers exceptional value, has standardised swimming
lessons and made seamless the implementation of a high quality
learn to swim scheme for all leisure providers."
"The
reason we chose to work with the ASA was their worldwide recognition
and professionalism and we welcome the support of their business
team who we have found to be extremely efficient, knowledgeable
and enthusiastic about our business".
The
ASA's Business Team Manager, Mandy Mason, welcomed Burnham Pool
onboard, saying: "The ASA is committed to providing our partners
with the support they need to deliver quality learn to swim programmes,"
she said. "We are pleased to welcome Burnham Pool and congratulate
the new management on their re-launch as the Swim & Sports
Academy. Our Business Team will be working closely with them to
ensure they build on their current success whilst using the National
Plan for Teaching Swimming and the ASA Kellogg's Awards Scheme."
The
ASA is the English National Governing Body for Swimming, Diving,
Water Polo, Open Water, and Synchronised Swimming. It organises
competition throughout England, establishes the Laws of the Sport
and operates comprehensive certification and education programmes
for Teachers, Coaches and Officials as well as its renowned Learn
To Swim Awards scheme.
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