02-Feb-12
Leisure Connection yet again bucks the market trend and reports a growth in swimming, despite Sport England’s recent Active People survey of 28 major sports, which shows that, on average, public participation has fallen over the past four years.
The survey of 166,000 people by the agency, which funds grass-roots sport, examined the number of adults participating in at least half an hour of moderate exercise in each of the various sports. It found major falls in participation in some of Britain’s most popular sports including swimming, football and tennis.
Leisure Connection, the private operator of more than 40 public access and private pools across the UK reports participation in swimming has in fact risen amongst adults across its estate.
National Swimming Manager at Leisure Connection - Tara Stroud says: “The Sport England Active People report is interesting and it’s sad to see so many sports seeing a drop in participation. However, Leisure Connection pools are seeing a rise in adult participation, which we attribute to innovative pool programming and launching more accessible swimming opportunities to our communities. Like for like casual swimming usage figures are up 16% during the period between October – December 2011. There are more than 26,000 individuals learning to swim with us each week and more than 500 adults having private lessons.”
It’s thought that one in five people can’t swim or lack confidence in water. Leisure Connection has therefore launched a number of swimming lesson programmes for adults, costing as little as £3.00 per session. Leisure Connection’s adult swim programme has grown by a massive 200% in 2011. This success will be built upon going into 2012 to ensure it meets the needs of the local community.
Tara continues: “By developing the swimming programming to make it more customer friendly and promote more variety Leisure Connection has increased user participation by an average of 33%.”
For further information, please contact Manifest Communications on 01484 469601or email lc@manifestcomms.co.uk.
