The ASA has today launched its ‘challenging and exciting strategy’ for 2009-13, which includes how the national governing body will capitalise on the government’s Free Swimming initiative and the 2012 Olympics and Paralympics being held in London.
The strategy, in conjunction with the ASA’s funding agreement with Sport England, will guide the way the ASA will work and sets down its priorities and targets for everyone to see.
David Sparkes, the ASA’s Chief Executive, said: “Over the next few years we have an unprecedented opportunity to change everyone’s perception of our sport, and encourage more people to swim more often and have more fun doing it, also to make our contribution to a successful Olympic and Paralympic Games in London with a lasting legacy for our sports.
“We have set ourselves some ambitious objectives in our Strategy. These include encouraging more people to swim – and have fun swimming – more often. This will start with creating a magic ‘first’ moment in Learn to Swim programmes and School Swimming and continue through to helping the industry put the customer at the heart of its work. If we get this right more children will learn to swim and the pools will be bursting with swimmers of all ages and we will have changed the culture of the sport.
“We want to drive up the quality of our teachers and coaches and ‘raise the bar’ to ensure the ASA has an appropriately skilled workforce for the whole swimming industry and ensure our affiliated clubs are providing the best quality experience they can. We also plan to see English athletes on the podium at the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, as well as using the opportunity to inspire non-athletes to be more active.
“The ASA feels that the Olympics will provide a critical period in which we can deliver our challenging and exciting Strategy to help people to achieve their goals, which is why we have set ourselves ambitious but achievable objectives.”
The ASA has been consulting with staff, volunteers, partners and Board members about the strategy for more than a year. It has been developed from 'the bottom up' so priorities and targets can be achieved at a local level but within a national framework.
CLICK HERE to download a free copy of the strategy.
