Fife Leisure Trust Crowned at National Awards

A FIFE leisure trust has earned national recognition for its commendable efforts in raising awareness and expanding swimming opportunities for children in the area.

Fife Sport and Leisure Trust was crowned as the Scottish Water Learn to Swim Provider of the Year at the annual Scottish Swimming awards night, recognising the trust as a high-quality lesson programme in Scotland with over 8,100 participants weekly.

The Scottish Water-sponsored award was presented to the trust for its efforts in expanding teaching provision for swimmers in the area and for continuing its strong commitment to people development - training and retaining their team of talented teachers to deliver vital Learn to Swim lessons.

The annual awards celebrate local authorities, leisure trusts and aquatic providers delivering the Learn to Swim National Framework across Scotland – a partnership between Scottish Swimming and Scottish Water, that has already seen around 106,000 children take part in swimming lessons up and down the country, and is targeting another 100,000 children by 2025.

Lee Cunningham, Activities Manager at Fife Sports and Leisure Trust, said: “This award is a testament to our team’s commitment and dedication in providing a safe and nurturing environment for children to learn to swim.

“There are so many important reasons for children to learn to the vital life skill. Not only does it enhance safety for kids but it also improves physical exercise and helps to develop social skills. We are always looking to help kids along that journey in whatever way we can.

“We are all immensely proud to be recognised at a national level, this is an exciting time for Fife Sport and Leisure and this puts the cherry on top.” 

The Scottish Water Learn to Swim Provider of the Year Award has been running for six years and recognises the effort of providers in creating and delivering high quality lessons, providing youngsters with essential life skills to keep safe in and around water.

Alongside Fife Sport and Leisure Trust, East Renfrewshire Culture and Leisure and Sport Aberdeen were shortlisted in the celebrated category – all demonstrating a profound determination to create ‘Generation Swim’, the next generation of safe and competent swimmers.

Euan Lowe, CEO at Scottish Swimming said: “The judging panel faced a tricky task in selecting a winner from a range of invaluable Learn to Swim providers. 

“Fife Sport and Leisure was praised for its unwavering dedication to providing children with opportunities to embrace the pool. The team in Fife have played a pivotal role in shaping the next generation of swimmers, showing that the Learn to Swim programme is going from strength to strength.”

Brian Lironi, Director of Corporate Affairs at Scottish Water said: "It’s great to see the good work that Fife Sport and Leisure Trust is doing in their drive to encourage as many young people as possible into the pool - learning to swim is such an important safety skill. 

“With their help, and hundreds of others across the country, we're making a really positive difference in creating Generation Swim, a generation of safe and competent swimmers, who not only learn a vital life skill but will also get to experience the wider health and social benefits that swimming can offer.

“Awards like these offer us an incredible opportunity, not only to celebrate everyone involved in the Learn to Swim framework for their dedicated efforts, but also to acknowledge all the outstanding leisure providers who made it to the shortlist.”

The winner of the award will receive an exclusive poolside visit from the Learn to Swim programme ambassadors - Olympic, World & Commonwealth Champion Duncan Scott and Paralympian and World Champion Toni Shaw.

At last year’s Scottish Swimming Annual Awards, West Lothian Leisure Trust Xcite was named as Learn to Swim Provider of the Year after growing its lesson attendance and maintaining the delivery of high quality lessons.

Learn to Swim is a National Framework committed to creating supportive and quality environments in which children can learn to swim regardless of their age, ability, or skill level. It aims to develop safe and competent swimmers, as well as encouraging youngsters to adopt a healthy and fulfilling lifestyle with sport and fun at its heart to reach their full potential both in the pool and out. 

The programme is centred around progress and enjoyment and aims to build a legacy of ‘Generation Swim’ in Scotland.