INSIGHT & ANALYSIS
INSIGHT & ANALYSIS
“Every child should have the opportunity to learn to swim, irrespective of their background and where they live”
“The Clean Water Alliance is already calling on government to better protect the UK’s blue water – seas, rivers, lakes – while the new Swimming Alliance brings together aquatics organisations that range from operators to Swim England to the STA. I believe this will be a very influential vehicle moving forward. “I recognise that Swim England hasn’t previously been as good at collaborating as it could have been, but we are now addressing this. This is a large sector. One organisation, ourselves included, cannot do it all. We must align behind a common purpose and vision and decide who is responsible for what, so that between us we deliver the whole.” Challenges & opportunities He continues: “With this strategic review in mind, in July 2023 Swim England commissioned a listening report to understand the challenges in the sector, with the findings
published in March of this year. We’re now undertaking consultative roadshows across the country to dive even further into this and inform Swim England’s strategy moving forward. “Accessibility is a big challenge, of course, and relates not only to pool locations but to distinct social inequalities around access and usage. These are unacceptable and something we as an industry and a sport must tackle. “As part of this, every child should have the opportunity to learn to swim, irrespective of their background and where they live. It’s a fundamental survival skill that also teaches other valuable lessons, from discipline and respect to relationship-building.” He adds: “However, many of our challenges have been cultural. As an example, there’s been too high a focus on performance within our own system. Swimming isn’t just about how fast you can swim from A to B. It’s an activity
Swimming generates £2.4bn of social value in England each year and prevents more than 78,500 cases of ill health
ANDY SALMON
There are huge opportunities for swimming to boost the health of the nation, but we must collaborate and put participants first, says the new CEO of Swim England
“Swimming is facing some significant challenges, but some even greater opportunities. The glass is more than half full,” says the new CEO of Swim England. “2023 research by Swim England shows that swimming generates £2.4bn of social value in England each year and prevents more than 78,500 cases of ill health. That includes more than 22,000 cases of diabetes and 2,500 cases of dementia. It saves the NHS over £209m a year. “I’m really excited by this – by the role swimming can play in the health of the nation – and keen to accelerate this work via social prescribing, for example, which is
growing fast and a very interesting opportunity. All physical activity is beneficial, but I speak to so many medical professionals who point to the unique value of swimming in particular as a non-weight bearing activity.” He adds: “I’m also focused on better communicating these social, health and economic benefits, making a strong case to government to keep existing pools open and replace ageing stock. “Speaking with one voice is key to this agenda, which is why the new spirit of collaboration in the sector is so important.
While pools are key, we must embrace other opportunities to engage people in swimming, including open water swimming
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STATE OF THE UK FITNESS INDUSTRY REPORT 2023 STATE OF THE UK SWIMMING INDUSTRY REPORT 2024
STATE OF THE UK FITNESS INDUSTRY REPORT 2023
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STATE OF THE UK SWIMMING INDUSTRY REPORT 2024
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