Sport Aberdeen was thrilled to be crowned Scottish Water’s ‘Learn to Swim Provider of the Year’ at the Scottish Swimming annual awards, which took place at P&J Live in Aberdeen on Saturday 21^st September.

The award recognised Sport Aberdeen’s exceptional dedication to creating and delivering its highly acclaimed learn to swim programme, available for babies through to adults.         

Currently, the charity provides swimming lessons to more than 5,500 children every week across its six citywide pools, alongside lessons for children with additional support needs, adults and those with a fear of water (aquaphobia). It also provides free swimming lessons for all Primary 4 pupils in Aberdeen.

Sport Aberdeen has a clear pathway for swimmers, starting out at Level 1 and looking to progress to club ready level, having links with various swim clubs in the city. 

The same can be said for its employee pathway, the charity is committed to staff development and has the opportunity for individuals to start as volunteer helpers then progress to become Aquatics Teachers.   

Sport Aberdeen Coached Programme Team celebrating the award

Dianne Breen, Coached Programme Manager, said: “This recognition of all our teachers hard work in providing fun and engaging lessons for children of all ages is incredible.

“Learning to swim is a vital life skill, and seeing so many children grow in confidence as they move through lessons is fantastic.

“Thanks to Scottish Swimming and Scottish Water for their continued support, and for recognising Sport Aberdeen as provider as the year.”

Dianne Breen, Coached Programme Manager with award

Euan Lowe, CEO at Scottish Swimming said: “We’re consistently impressed by the dedication of excellent local authorities, leisure trusts, and aquatic providers working towards the common goal of teaching this vital life skill across the country.

“We believe that everyone can swim, and all providers do a fantastic job in their roles teaching these valuable life skills, the panel of judges had a very tough choice to make.

“Sport Aberdeen has shown exceptional commitment to delivering lessons at the highest level and ensuring children become safer in the water, showing that the Learn to Swim programme is going from strength to strength.”

Peter Farrer, Chief Operating Officer at Scottish Water said: “It’s great to see the good work that Sport Aberdeen is doing in their drive to deliver high quality lessons and encourage as many young people as possible into the pool – learning to swim is such an important safety skill.  

“The Scottish Water Learn to Swim Provider of the Year award gives us an incredible opportunity not only to celebrate and thank everyone involved in the Learn to Swim National Framework for the good work they all do, but also recognise all of the outstanding leisure providers across the country.

“With their help, and hundreds of others across the country, we’re making a really positive difference in creating Generation Swim, a generation of confident, safer 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.”