School Splash in Northumberland

Barndale School students in Alnwick line up with Nick Gillingham MBE

Through Sporting Champions, former World Champion and Olympic Silver Medalist Nick Gillingham MBE helped motivate and inspire young people across the County to take part in the 3^rd Annual Swimming Festival for children with disabilities at Willowburn Sport and Leisure Centre, Alnwick on July 20^th 2007.

Organised by Northumberland Sport and sponsored by the Amateur Swimming Association and npower through the English Federation of Disability Sport (EFDS),over 70 participants from both mainstream and special schools from across Northumberland competed in individual and team events.

Nick said “I am very encouraged to see so many young people taking part in an inclusive event like this. I believe events like this are very important in providing the opportunity for young people to enjoy sport which will also enhance links between schools and local community clubs.”

The festival proved to be a huge hit for all participants who were provided with the opportunity to partake in a range of team and individual events from traditional sprint races to new, exciting treasure hunt races.

Event Organiser Jenny Glossop, the Swimming Development Officer for Northumberland Sport said “We’re really pleased to have hosted this event, which will help develop the confidence and skills for many of our young swimmers. They can now hopefully take this confidence to local clubs and continue to gain enjoyment from swimming.”

Judith Rasmussen, Regional Director for Sport England said “I’m really pleased this festival has been a huge success and it’s fantastic to see so many children taking part, which will hopefully lead to sustained participation in swimming through local clubs in Northumberland.”

Patrick Bonner, Regional Development Manager for EFDS said “it’s great to see so many of our young swimmers in our region with a disability receive this opportunity to take part in such a well organised, fun and exciting event. In terms of the development and confidence building of our young disabled swimmers in the region, events such as this one sponsored by npower are a huge boost.”

For further details on accessible swimming sessions and local clubs in Northumberland, please click on the following link;

Inclusive Swimming in Northumberland