04 October 2011
With less than a year to go until the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, sporting fever really is starting to hot up!
Former Paralympian and one of Britain's most successful Paralympic swimmers Chris Holmes end his Paralympic Games Ticket Sales Road Show on a high as he visited Newbridge Leisure Centre recently.
As part of his visit to Newbridge, Chris also presented Caerphilly County Borough Council with an 'Inspire Mark' for its School Swimming Programme, in recognition of it being accessible, participative, stimulating and inspired by the London 2012 Games.
Nicola Green, Aquatic Development Officer said, "'We are really pleased to have been given the Inspire Mark and it has proved that all of our hard work and determination to improve our school Swimming programme has really paid off. It was crucial for us to make everyone aware of the importance of learning to swim and now we have a fantastic opportunity to raise the awareness that 'Every child should be able to Read, Write and Swim'."
The School Swimming Programme allows schools the opportunity to receive 3-week intensive blocks of tuition for pupils in school years four to six. The pupils have an intense course of 15x45 minute lessons across the three week period. The youngsters will also have an opportunity to attend free swim sessions during the school holidays.
Cllr Phil Bevan, Cabinet Member for Education, Leisure and Lifelong Learning said, "We were delighted to welcome Chris to Newbridge Leisure Centre as part of his UK-wide tour, and for us to receive the Inspire Mark for our School Swimming Programme is a wonderful honour".
Chris Holmes, Director of Paralympic Integration at London 2012 said: 'One of the privileges of my role at London 2012 is that I get the opportunity to travel around the UK finding out about some of the truly fantastic projects that are going on. This was one of those days and I was delighted to be in Newbridge and hear how people from the area are benefiting from and are inspired by the London 2012 Games."
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