A Swansea-based Paralympic swimmer will soon be on hand to give young people an opportunity to learn to swim.
Stephanie Millward, who trains at the Wales National Pool in Swansea, is on a mission to help 10 non-swimming 12 to 16-year-olds learn to swim and gain confidence in the water.
Stephanie, who has received funding from the Coca Cola Youth Foundation, will be working alongside the Wales National Pool and Swansea Council’s Development and Outreach Team.
The 10-week scheme is due to start at the Wales National Pool on Wednesday April 25 from 6pm to 7pm.
Anyone who would like a 12 to 16-year-old to be considered for the lessons should visit http://www.swanseabepartofit.co.uk for full details and terms and conditions. All would-be participants have to do is send an email outlining why they think they should be picked.
The deadline to get in touch is Thursday April 19.
Stephanie said: “Swimming has been an incredibly important part of my life and it’ll be a great experience to pass on tips to non-swimmers and help them with their confidence in the water.
“I hope it will help the young people taking part develop a lifelong love of the sport.”
Ian Beynon, Swansea Council’s Development and Outreach Manager, said: “This is a great opportunity for non-swimming older children to learn to swim.
“Stephanie is an inspiration to athletes across the UK and beyond and her expertise and drive will soon help 10 young people develop key skills in the water.
“This is another example of our campaign called Be Part of It that’s been launched in the build-up to the Olympic and Paralympic Games to encourage as many people as possible to enjoy the benefits of sport and exercise.”
Stephanie was a successful able-bodied swimmer with dreams of competing at the Olympics before being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis aged 17 in 1998.
She returned to the pool in 2008 and competed at the Beijing Paralympic Games. She then won several medals at the IPC Swimming World Championships in Eindhoven in 2010 and is now preparing to compete at London 2012.
Successful applicants will be able to put what they’ve learnt into practice during the Stephanie Millward ‘Splash ‘n’ Sprint’ Fun Day on July 7.
The event will take place at the Wales National Pool between 9.30am and 4pm and will include a variety of fun pool-based and outdoor sports activities. It’s open to any young person between the age 12 and 16.
Have a look at http://www.activeswansea.com to find out all about swimming opportunities across the city.
