Young people have just a few days left to secure an ‘incomparable work experience placement’ within swimming.

The Youth Sport Trust and ASA are looking to recruit one young person, who ideally would be between 18 and 25-years-old, to become a Young Official Development Officer within swimming – but they must get their application in by Friday 26th June 2009.

The full-time volunteer Officer would work with the ASA’s staff, local schools, colleges and clubs to support the training and deployment of young people as officials at local, regional and national competitions.

Yvette Heywood, the ASA’s Volunteer Manager, said: “This is a brilliant opportunity for a young person to enhance their contacts within the swimming industry.

“It will look great on their CV and will give them experience of a range of organisational skills, including time management, presentation skills and attending and conferences.”

The role, which will cover approximately 30 hours per week, will begin in September 2009 for 40 weeks.

Expenses of up to £60 a week are available for everyday expenses such as food, travel and subsistence, as well as up to £4,000 towards accommodation expenses.

The ideal candidate would, among other attributes, have strong verbal and written communication skills and demonstrate genuine enthusiasm to work with young people. For a full job specification and more details please CLICK HERE.

Opportunities are also being offered in other sports, including Athletics, Badminton, Fencing, Gymnastics, Judo, Lacrosse, Table Tennis, Tennis and Volleyball.

-ENDS-

For more information contact the ASA PR Manager Sharon Rose on 01509 632262, 07876 652318 or email sharon.rose@swimming.org

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. The ASA supports 1,220 affiliated swimming clubs through a National/Regional/County structure. The ASA aims to ensure everybody has an opportunity to learn to swim.

About British Gas
British Gas, the biggest energy supplier in the country, has the lowest carbon intensity of any of the major UK energy suppliers in terms of tonnes of CO2 emitted per megawatt hour of electricity supplied to customers.  The company is one of the biggest investors in renewable power generation, principally offshore wind. Its recently completed Lynn and Inner Dowsing development, off the Lincolnshire coast, is the UK's largest offshore wind development. British Gas is committed to energy efficiency.  Our Energy Savers Report provides free expert advice on how you can cut energy use in the home and, in turn, save money.  So far, the report has shown over 2 million people how they could make an average saving of £175 a year.  To complete a report go to www.britishgas.co.uk/energy-efficiency/energy-savers-report

About Kellogg's
The Kellogg Company was founded in 1906 and today produces 40 different cereals including popular brands such as Special K, Cornflakes and Coco Pops, and 56 different snacks including brands such as Nutri-Grain and Special K snacks. Kellogg's has been a partner of the ASA and British Swimming for 13 years, sponsoring the Kellogg's ASA Awards and enabling over 50,000 people to take up swimming as part of an active lifestyle.

About Speedo®
The world’s leading swimwear brand, Speedo® is passionate about life in and around the water, creating revolutionary new technologies, designs and innovations. Supporting swimming from grass-roots through to elite level, including the phenomenal Michael Phelps, Speedo® is owned by Speedo Holdings B.V and distributed in over 170 countries around the world; SPEEDO, the ARROW device, FASTSKIN, LZR PULSE, SPEEDO ENDURANCE, FLIPTURNS, FASTSKINFSII, SPEEDO BIOFUSE, SWYM and LZR RACER are registered trademarks of Speedo Holdings B.V. The LZR RACER suit has worldwide design rights and patents pending.

The British Gas Development Open Water team secured all medals available from the first leg of the French Cup which took place in Creil.

The 23-strong squad are part of a joint initiative between Scotland, England, Wales and British Swimming to develop the sport further after the success in Beijing.

In the men’s 5km Tom Allen took the gold with Alfie Howes taking silver and fellow Brit Alex Mackay winning the bronze.

Aynsley Heseltine took the gold medal in the women’s 5km and Kayleigh Dawsom took the silver with Catherine Marcroft taking bronze.

National Open Water Performance Manager, Mark Perry was delighted with the results and is looking forward to the next round in the South of France this coming weekend.

-ENDS-

French Cup results:

Men
1 Tom Allen
2. Alfie Howes
3. Alex Mackay
4. Alistair Brown

Women
1. Aynsley Heseltine
2. Kayleigh Dawson
3. Catherine Marcroft
4. Megan Gilchrist

Challenges faced as a result of a funding shortfall from UK Sport through to the London 2012 Olympics have led British Swimming to review its strategy and implement a new and innovative water polo elite performance programme.

Water polo had been identified by UK Sport as one of eight Olympic and four Paralympic sports whose funding was affected by a £50million shortfall in private sector money.

In January the sport learnt of its funding figure - £1.45million over four years – this equates to a 75% reduction (£4m) from the provisional budget water polo would have received had the full funding been in place.

The sport was forced to face some tough decisions but, following a programme review, the governing body has now put in place a strategy to ensure Great Britain has the opportunity to have both a men’s and women’s team competing at the home Olympics, while continuing to pursue further funding opportunities in a sport which ironically we invented and have won Gold medals in the distant past.

The women’s team, which has made excellent progress over the past four years, will remain in an on-shore programme based in Manchester.

However, the men’s team will undergo a three-phase implementation of an off-shore development system where they will live, train and play overseas for leading clubs around the world.

The men will converge as a team for international competitions but overall development will follow a system similar to the national football and rugby teams where their day-to-day training and performance is undertaken with a club environment.

British Swimming Chief Executive David Sparkes is spearheading a drive to secure further investment for water polo as it continues to develop for 2012 but feels the strategy now in place can deliver two Olympic teams.

“It was clearly a major disappointment that we didn’t get the funding level we had budgeted for but we have to be positive to achieve our goals. To that aim we’ve reassessed our priorities in continuing to maintain both teams at the Olympic Games,” said Sparkes.

“The present level of funding will be tilted towards the women’s team but we have been working on a number of innovative solutions to continue to develop the men’s team and these are now being implemented.

“A lot of good work has gone in to defining our new direction and we’re fortunate to have been offered incredible help from the likes of Hungary, Croatia, Romania and Australia to help the men to prepare for the Olympics.”

While the women’s programme will remain in place at the High Performance Centre in Manchester throughout, phase one of the process leading to 2012 will see the men’s team stay in Manchester until September as they prepare for the LEN European Trophy in Switzerland.

Phase two of the programme will commence in October this year and will see the end of a centralised programme with some players based overseas in club programmes and those having to remain in Britain for employment or education reasons training within the national league set up.

The third and final phase from April 2010 to 2012 will see Britain’s men based entirely overseas with professional clubs, coming together as a national team for competition and camps.
Sparkes feels very positive as to the eventual outcome and believes the system will also have long-term benefits for all levels of the sport.

“Strategically this is an opportunity for us to raise the standard of water polo from club to national level and get many more people playing the game,” added Sparkes.

”This whole situation has made us look closely at what we do while giving us a new direction and impetus as we move forward. Out of adversity has come a real step change in the sport and by 2013 we could completely rejuvenate and revolutionise water polo in Britain.

“We will be building stronger, sustainable water polo clubs with professional coaches, centred around a new super league focused on delivering athletes capable of competing at international level. We’re also set to deliver a range of initiatives to take mini water polo into schools.”

Sparkes also remains optimistic of attracting additional support for water polo as the teams continue their development for 2012.

“We would welcome working with people who have played or enjoyed water polo who now feel they can make a contribution to this exciting future, either through a financial contribution or by providing  their expertise. We’re asking to engage with that community at the earliest opportunity.

“We have received valuable support from commercial partner British Gas and from The Friends of Water Polo but we hope to further increase help for our athletes and programmes through other avenues.”

The British Gas Women’s Water Polo team will continue their development at the LEN European Nations Trophy next month in Manchester when they host some of Europe’s leading teams from 7th to 11th July.

For details visit www.manchester2007.sportspaces.com/page/display/138

-ends-

For further details contact Dave Richards, British Swimming Media Manager, on 01509 632237, 0778 992 6136 or email dave.richards@swimming.org

About British Swimming
British Swimming is the National Governing Body for Swimming, Diving, Synchronised Swimming, Water Polo and Open Water in Great Britain.  It is responsible internationally for the high performance representation of the sport. The members of British Swimming are the three Home Countries national governing bodies of England (ASA), Scotland (Scottish ASA) and Wales. (Welsh ASA)  British Swimming seeks to enable its athletes to achieve gold medal success at the Olympics, Paralympics, World Championships and Commonwealth Games.

About British Gas
British Gas, the biggest energy supplier in the country, has the lowest carbon intensity of any of the major UK energy suppliers in terms of tonnes of CO2 emitted per megawatt hour of electricity supplied to customers.  The company is one of the biggest investors in renewable power generation, principally offshore wind. Its recently completed Lynn and Inner Dowsing development, off the Lincolnshire coast, is the UK's largest offshore wind development. British Gas is committed to energy efficiency.  Our Energy Savers Report provides free expert advice on how you can cut energy use in the home and, in turn, save money.  So far, the report has shown over 2 million people how they could make an average saving of £175 a year.  To complete a report go to www.britishgas.co.uk/energy-efficiency/energy-savers-report

About Speedo®
The world’s leading swimwear brand, Speedo® is passionate about life in and around the water, creating revolutionary new technologies, designs and innovations. Supporting swimming from grass-roots through to elite level, including the phenomenal Michael Phelps, Speedo® is owned by Speedo Holdings B.V and distributed in over 170 countries around the world; SPEEDO, the ARROW device, FASTSKIN, LZR PULSE, SPEEDO ENDURANCE, FLIPTURNS, FASTSKINFSII, SPEEDO BIOFUSE, SWYM and LZR RACER are registered trademarks of Speedo Holdings B.V. The LZR RACER suit has worldwide design rights and patents pending.

British Gas Disability Swimmers Jim Anderson and Nyree Lewis have been named in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List.

Already a recipient of an MBE, Anderson (46) receives an OBE in recognition of a fantastic career in disability swimming which has seen the Broxburn swimmer win no less than 14 Paralympic medals, six of which have been gold.

“I was shocked when I got the letter from the Palace as I wasn’t expecting anything,” said Anderson. “It was a complete surprise as I already have an MBE which I’m very proud of.

“The OBE is a special award and I’ m thrilled to bits to be honoured by Her Majesty the Queen.

“Beijing was a fantastic Olympics for Britain’s swimmers but I’m still training hard for the future. I’ve qualified for the European Championships this year and my preparation is gearing up for that.'

Lewis (28) receives an MBE for services to swimming in recognition of a career for the Leominster Kingfishers swimmer that has seen a return of nine Paralympic medals, two of which have been gold.

MBEs were also received by Margaret Tuppen, President of Brighton SC and Sussex County ASA Secretary, for voluntary services to sport as well as Paul Du Feu in Jersey for voluntary services to swimming

-ends-

For further details contact Dave Richards, British Swimming Media Manager, on 01509 632237, 0778 992 6136 or email dave.richards@swimming.org

About British Swimming

British Swimming is the National Governing Body for Swimming, Diving, Synchronised Swimming, Water Polo and Open Water in Great Britain.  It is responsible internationally for the high performance representation of the sport. The members of British Swimming are the three Home Countries national governing bodies of England (ASA), Scotland (Scottish ASA) and Wales. (Welsh ASA)  British Swimming seeks to enable its athletes to achieve gold medal success at the Olympics, Paralympics, World Championships and Commonwealth Games. 

About British Gas

British Gas, the biggest energy supplier in the country, has the lowest carbon intensity of any of the major UK energy suppliers in terms of tonnes of CO2 emitted per megawatt hour of electricity supplied to customers.  The company is one of the biggest investors in renewable power generation, principally offshore wind. Its recently completed Lynn and Inner Dowsing development, off the Lincolnshire coast, is the UK's largest offshore wind development. British Gas is committed to energy efficiency.  Our Energy Savers Report provides free expert advice on how you can cut energy use in the home and, in turn, save money.  So far, the report has shown over 2 million people how they could make an average saving of £175 a year.  To complete a report go to www.britishgas.co.uk/energy-efficiency/energy-savers-report

About Speedo®
The world’s leading swimwear brand, Speedo® is passionate about life in and around the water, creating revolutionary new technologies, designs and innovations. Supporting swimming from grass-roots through to elite level, including the phenomenal Michael Phelps, Speedo® is owned by Speedo Holdings B.V and distributed in over 170 countries around the world; SPEEDO, the ARROW device, FASTSKIN, LZR PULSE, SPEEDO ENDURANCE, FLIPTURNS, FASTSKINFSII, SPEEDO BIOFUSE, SWYM and LZR RACER are registered trademarks of Speedo Holdings B.V. The LZR RACER suit has worldwide design rights and patents pending.

Leisure East Devon Ltd (LED) has signed a five-year agreement with the ASA to deliver the National Plan for Teaching Swimming and the Kellogg’s ASA Awards Scheme.

LED is a Charitable Trust, set up in January 2006 to operate sports facilities in East Devon. There are three swimming pools operated by the trust; Honiton Swimming and Leisure, Exmouth Swimming and Leisure and Sidmouth Swimming Pool. The buildings are all owned by East Devon Council.

Honiton Swimming and Leisure Centre began the new scheme last year. Currently 328 children and 20 adults attend lessons each week. The swim school has links with Honiton Swimming Club who compete in local events and Exeter Synchronised Swimming Club who compete nationally.  This centre has also been able to achieve premier status in Aquamark.

Exmouth Swimming and Leisure offer Adult & Child classes and an adult learn to swim programme as well as a swim school for children. The swim school currently feeds into the trust’s own Dolphin Club which is non-competitive as well as Exmouth Swimming Club which is competitive.

Sidmouth Swimming Pool has approximately 500 children in their swim school as well as 15 adults. The pool also runs a swimming club for children with special educational needs which is well attended. A number of children now attend the Sid Vale Sharks Swimming Club having graduated successfully from the special needs club.

Simon Davey, Manager, Honiton Swimming & Leisure, said “All three centres are very excited about signing up with the ASA to improve our swimming programmes and to ensure that people in our area have the best opportunity to learn to swim and to improve their swimming techniques irrespective of age or ability.”

He went on to say “We find the Kellogg’s ASA Awards Scheme and the National Plan for Teaching Swimming very easy to work with and they have proved to be a great success with our children who are improving in their overall swimming skills.”

Bruce Learner, Corporate Social Responsibility Manager at Kellogg’s, said: “Since our partnership with the ASA began in 1997, more than 13 million swimming awards have been presented to youngsters across the country, making it the most successful awards scheme in British sport. We will be celebrating this success at the Kellogg’s Swimtastic Awards in October, which recognises those pool based projects that benefit the community the most.”

-ENDS-

For more information contact the ASA PR Assistant Claire Freeman on 01509 632262 or email claire.freeman@swimming.org

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. The ASA supports 1,220 affiliated swimming clubs through a National/Regional/County structure. The ASA aims to ensure everybody has an opportunity to learn to swim.

About British Gas
British Gas, the biggest energy supplier in the country, has the lowest carbon intensity of any of the major UK energy suppliers in terms of tonnes of CO2 emitted per megawatt hour of electricity supplied to customers.  The company is one of the biggest investors in renewable power generation, principally offshore wind. Its recently completed Lynn and Inner Dowsing development, off the Lincolnshire coast, is the UK's largest offshore wind development. British Gas is committed to energy efficiency.  Our Energy Savers Report provides free expert advice on how you can cut energy use in the home and, in turn, save money.  So far, the report has shown over 2 million people how they could make an average saving of £175 a year.  To complete a report go to .www.britishgas.co.uk/energy-efficiency/energy-savers-report

About Kellogg’s
The Kellogg Company was founded in 1906 and today produces 40 different cereals including popular brands such as Special K, Cornflakes and Coco Pops, and 56 different snacks including brands such as Nutri-Grain and Special K snacks. Kellogg’s has been a partner of the ASA and British Swimming for 13 years, sponsoring the Kellogg’s ASA Awards and enabling over 50,000 people to take up swimming as part of an active lifestyle.

About Speedo®
The world’s leading swimwear brand, Speedo® is passionate about life in and around the water, creating revolutionary new technologies, designs and innovations. Supporting swimming from grass-roots through to elite level, including the phenomenal Michael Phelps, Speedo® is owned by Speedo Holdings B.V and distributed in over 170 countries around the world; SPEEDO, the ARROW device, FASTSKIN, LZR PULSE, SPEEDO ENDURANCE, FLIPTURNS, FASTSKINFSII, SPEEDO BIOFUSE, SWYM and LZR RACER are registered trademarks of Speedo Holdings B.V. The LZR RACER suit has worldwide design rights and patents pending.

New research shows a high level of satisfaction amongst people taking part in swimming.

Overall, 79.1 per cent of swimmers questioned by the Sport England survey said they were happy with their sport, a higher satisfaction level than those in football, hockey and netball.

Regular participants from over 40 sports, including swimming, gave an overall satisfaction rating for their sport in the report. The participants were asked to rate swimming across ten areas - including coaching, exertion and fitness, officiating, facilities and value for money.

The sport with the highest levels of satisfaction was Taekwondo (85.9%), followed by orienteering, judo and golf.

The survey was conducted on 44,390 people across England who were general participants in sports, affiliated club members and those from a talent pool (a sample of athletes on the sport’s talent pathway).

CLICK HERE for headline results. More detailed results and analysis will be published in July.

-ENDS-

For more information contact the ASA PR Manager Sharon Rose on 01509 632262, 07876 652318 or email sharon.rose@swimming.org

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. The ASA supports 1,220 affiliated swimming clubs through a National/Regional/County structure. The ASA aims to ensure everybody has an opportunity to learn to swim.

About British Gas
British Gas, the biggest energy supplier in the country, has the lowest carbon intensity of any of the major UK energy suppliers in terms of tonnes of CO2 emitted per megawatt hour of electricity supplied to customers.  The company is one of the biggest investors in renewable power generation, principally offshore wind. Its recently completed Lynn and Inner Dowsing development, off the Lincolnshire coast, is the UK's largest offshore wind development. British Gas is committed to energy efficiency.  Our Energy Savers Report provides free expert advice on how you can cut energy use in the home and, in turn, save money.  So far, the report has shown over 2 million people how they could make an average saving of £175 a year.  To complete a report go to www.britishgas.co.uk/energy-efficiency/energy-savers-report

About Kellogg's
The Kellogg Company was founded in 1906 and today produces 40 different cereals including popular brands such as Special K, Cornflakes and Coco Pops, and 56 different snacks including brands such as Nutri-Grain and Special K snacks. Kellogg's has been a partner of the ASA and British Swimming for 13 years, sponsoring the Kellogg's ASA Awards and enabling over 50,000 people to take up swimming as part of an active lifestyle.

About Speedo®
The world’s leading swimwear brand, Speedo® is passionate about life in and around the water, creating revolutionary new technologies, designs and innovations. Supporting swimming from grass-roots through to elite level, including the phenomenal Michael Phelps, Speedo® is owned by Speedo Holdings B.V and distributed in over 170 countries around the world; SPEEDO, the ARROW device, FASTSKIN, LZR PULSE, SPEEDO ENDURANCE, FLIPTURNS, FASTSKINFSII, SPEEDO BIOFUSE, SWYM and LZR RACER are registered trademarks of Speedo Holdings B.V. The LZR RACER suit has worldwide design rights and patents pending.

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.

-ENDS-

For more information contact the ASA PR Manager Sharon Rose on 01509 632262, 07876 652318 or email sharon.rose@swimming.org

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. The ASA supports 1,220 affiliated swimming clubs through a National/Regional/County structure. The ASA aims to ensure everybody has an opportunity to learn to swim.

About British Gas
British Gas, the biggest energy supplier in the country, has the lowest carbon intensity of any of the major UK energy suppliers in terms of tonnes of CO2 emitted per megawatt hour of electricity supplied to customers.  The company is one of the biggest investors in renewable power generation, principally offshore wind. Its recently completed Lynn and Inner Dowsing development, off the Lincolnshire coast, is the UK's largest offshore wind development. British Gas is committed to energy efficiency.  Our Energy Savers Report provides free expert advice on how you can cut energy use in the home and, in turn, save money.  So far, the report has shown over 2 million people how they could make an average saving of £175 a year.  To complete a report go to www.britishgas.co.uk/energy-efficiency/energy-savers-report

About Kellogg's
The Kellogg Company was founded in 1906 and today produces 40 different cereals including popular brands such as Special K, Cornflakes and Coco Pops, and 56 different snacks including brands such as Nutri-Grain and Special K snacks. Kellogg's has been a partner of the ASA and British Swimming for 13 years, sponsoring the Kellogg's ASA Awards and enabling over 50,000 people to take up swimming as part of an active lifestyle.

About Speedo®
The world’s leading swimwear brand, Speedo® is passionate about life in and around the water, creating revolutionary new technologies, designs and innovations. Supporting swimming from grass-roots through to elite level, including the phenomenal Michael Phelps, Speedo® is owned by Speedo Holdings B.V and distributed in over 170 countries around the world; SPEEDO, the ARROW device, FASTSKIN, LZR PULSE, SPEEDO ENDURANCE, FLIPTURNS, FASTSKINFSII, SPEEDO BIOFUSE, SWYM and LZR RACER are registered trademarks of Speedo Holdings B.V. The LZR RACER suit has worldwide design rights and patents pending.

The ASA’s newest mascot finally has a name – with nearly 120 people deciding Bubbles was perfect for the smiley orange fish.

The fish is the friendly face of the ASA’s new website ‘Child Power: Your Voice’, which is aimed at children and young people.

Child Power: Your Voice is dedicated to children and young people already involved in swimming, diving, synchronised swimming and water polo and for those who are thinking about getting involved.  CLICK HERE to visit the site.

More than 200 people voted on the name, with the overwhelming majority (56 per cent) going for Bubbles. Fin came in as the second favourite name, followed by Goggles and Chippy.

Now Bubbles has been named, youngsters will be able to talk to him about everything that matters to them via the Child Power: Your Voice website.

Jenni Dearman, the ASA’s National Co-ordinator for Child Safeguarding , said: “It’s great our fish finally has a name, especially as Bubbles has turned out to be such a popular choice!”

Amy Tordoff from Sheffield was one of five people who suggested Bubbles and her name was drawn out of the hat to win a signed T-shirt from Olympic and Paralympic stars.  All those who suggested the name also receive a runner’s up prize.

The new Licensing Scheme for Aquatic Professionals: Teachers and Coaches is being launched today (1st April 2009). To coincide with this, the ASA is offering 500 free licences to its teachers and coaches so they can show they are committed to continuous improvement and professional development.

These individual licences are available on a strictly first-come, first-served basis and all applications must be received by 30th June 2009.

The ASA Licence is a way for teachers and coaches to prove to employers and clubs that they not only hold ASA qualifications (or approved equivalent) and are signed up to a Code of Ethics but are updating their skills by taking teaching and continuing professional development (CPD) courses.

Licence holders, at their request, can also be included on the Register of Aquatic Professionals, which gives employers the chance to search for fully qualified and vetted staff.

The ASA Licence automatically reflects the teacher’s or coaches’ level  of qualification, covers all the aquatic disciplines and is open to both paid and unpaid instructors. 

Melissa Barlow, the ASA’s Workforce Development Manager, said: “The ASA licence is a great way for people to demonstrate to potential employers that they are fully committed to teaching and coaching and with 500 free licences up for grabs there has never been a better time to sign-up.

“The licence lasts for three years as long as teachers and coaches demonstrate their continuing progress in their annual submissions.”

For full criteria for the licence, CLICK HERE or for an application form, CLICK HERE.

Those people that are already licensed should continue to gain their points for renewal. Once they have successfully renewed their licence on the old scheme they will be transferred to the new scheme.

-ENDS-

For more information contact the ASA PR Manager Sharon Rose on 01509 632262, 07876 652318 or email sharon.rose@swimming.org

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. The ASA supports 1,220 affiliated swimming clubs through a National/Regional/County structure. The ASA aims to ensure everybody has an opportunity to learn to swim.

About British Gas
British Gas, the biggest energy supplier in the country, has the lowest carbon intensity of any of the major UK energy suppliers in terms of tonnes of CO2 emitted per megawatt hour of electricity supplied to customers.  The company is one of the biggest investors in renewable power generation, principally offshore wind. Its recently completed Lynn and Inner Dowsing development, off the Lincolnshire coast, is the UK's largest offshore wind development. British Gas is committed to energy efficiency.  Our Energy Savers Report provides free expert advice on how you can cut energy use in the home and, in turn, save money.  So far, the report has shown over 2 million people how they could make an average saving of £175 a year.  To complete a report go to www.britishgas.co.uk/energy-efficiency/energy-savers-report

About Speedo®
The world’s leading swimwear brand, Speedo® is passionate about life in and around the water, creating revolutionary new technologies, designs and innovations. Supporting swimming from grass-roots through to elite level, including the phenomenal Michael Phelps, Speedo® is owned by Speedo Holdings B.V and distributed in over 170 countries around the world; SPEEDO, the ARROW device, FASTSKIN, LZR PULSE, SPEEDO ENDURANCE, FLIPTURNS, FASTSKINFSII, SPEEDO BIOFUSE, SWYM and LZR RACER are registered trademarks of Speedo Holdings B.V. The LZR RACER suit has worldwide design rights and patents pending.

About Kellogg's
The Kellogg Company was founded in 1906 and today produces 40 different cereals including popular brands such as Special K, Cornflakes and Coco Pops, and 56 different snacks including brands such as Nutri-Grain and Special K snacks. Kellogg's has been a partner of the ASA and British Swimming for 13 years, sponsoring the Kellogg's ASA Awards and enabling over 50,000 people to take up swimming as part of an active lifestyle.