Summary
Swim England, a proud partner of the Sporting Equals Awards, supported the night by partnering with us for our Swim England Aquatics Champion of the Year. This award recognises organisations or community groups that have helped people from ethnically diverse communities to participate in aquatics.
Swim England, a proud partner of the Sporting Equals Awards, supported the night by partnering with us for our Swim England Aquatics Champion of the Year. This award recognises organisations or community groups that have helped people from ethnically diverse communities to participate in aquatics.
Congratulations to Swim Design Space on being named the Swim England Aquatics Champion of the Year at the Sporting Equals Awards 2024! This prestigious recognition is a testament to their innovative contributions to aquatics and commitment to driving excellence and inclusion in the sport.
Swim Design Space, a Swim England-approved swim school, in collaboration with Lives of Colour, has significantly increased participation in aquatics among ethnically diverse communities by developing and implementing inclusive, affordable, and culturally sensitive programs. Recognising the barriers that individuals from various ethnic backgrounds face, they have tailored their swimming programs to meet their specific needs. Through this partnership, they offer subsidised lessons to ensure financial accessibility and provide essential swimming equipment, such as swim caps, kickboards, and goggles, removing another potential barrier to participation.
In the Aquatics Champion category there were two other finalists: Cycle Sisters and Opening Boundaries. Cycle Sisters, through its Tri Sisters project, has increased participation in aquatics among Muslim women, a demographic that has traditionally been underrepresented in swimming. The project has been instrumental in breaking down barriers that prevent Muslim women from engaging in these activities by offering women-only swimming lessons and open water coaching sessions, which have, so far, reached over 105 unique participants. These sessions are designed specifically to cater to the cultural and religious needs of Muslim women, providing a safe and supportive environment where they can build skills and confidence in swimming.
Another great organisation: Opening Boundaries. Opening Boundaries is a not-for-profit sporting organisation campaigning globally to use the power of sport as a tool for peace, whilst raising the awareness of community cohesion, positive health and gender equality. Their aspiration is to provide individuals with opportunities to take part in sport and physical activity, regardless of their background, with a key emphasis on women and girls. Following the covid pandemic and the restrictions on exercise, Opening Boundaries was made aware of the mental, physical and medical impact that a lack of exercise was having on ethnically diverse women, particularly a group of Pakistani ladies. Due to medical issues such as diabetes and arthritis, swimming was recommended by doctors as an activity that would benefit them greatly.
Fiona May, a former track and field Olympian and Luther Burrell, a former professional rugby player joined comedian Judi Love on stage in presenting the award category, shining the light on the winner Swim Design Space.
