Youngsters in Walsall are set to benefit from a new swim academy programme after a new three-year partnership was agreed between Walsall Council and STA.

The new Walsall Swim Academy will run across 4 of the local authority’s pools as part of a strategic approach that aims to regenerate the current swim scheme through the introduction of STA’s International Learn to Swim Programme (ILSP) and supporting programmes, and give customers a more exciting and diverse programme.

The move will embrace all areas of the scheme, ensuring a standardised programme across sites, contributing to raising standards of swim teaching across the borough.

The programme, which officially starts in September 2017, will see more than 3,000 learners across the borough – from baby and pre-school swimming sessions through to platinum awards for advanced swimming and Junior Lifeguard courses – benefit from the new structure.

Children who enrol into the Academy will also be given a 16-page STA Success Tracker so they, and their parents, can follow their progress.

Leanne Husselbee, Senior Account Manager at STA (who’s head office is also based in Walsall), said: We are thrilled to be partnering with Walsall Council. They have embraced this opportunity to revive their swim scheme and we are delighted to be able to offer a current, cost-effective, quality programme that is appealing to learners of all ages.

Kelly Webb from Walsall Council, who is preparing for the launch and has worked closely with STA, said: This partnership with STA is a great opportunity for us, and we are very excited to offer a fresh, innovative swim programme to our customers across our four leisure sites in Bloxwich, Darlaston, Oak Park and here at the Walsall Gala.

We will benefit by getting the best use of the space available in our pools and enjoy better retention figures as sites will be able to offer a more extensive programme incorporating advanced swimming and Junior Lifeguard courses, as well as more grass roots level classes including beginner and baby and pre-school sessions.

The Walsall Swim Academy will run at: Bloxwich Active Living Centre, Darlaston Swimming Pool, Oak Park Active Living Centre and Walsall Gala Swimming and Fitness Centre.

In preparation for the launch in September each centre recently ran an open day event, supported by staff from STA. At the public event the new Academy branding was revealed and two of the sites also received a special visit from STAnley, STA’s cuddly water safety mascot (as pictured here).