We are thrilled to share that Fife Sports and Leisure Trust has been named the Scottish Water Learn to Swim Provider of the Year! This incredible achievement reflects our unwavering commitment to delivering high quality swimming lessons in our community.

The Scottish Water-sponsored award was presented to us for our efforts in expanding teaching provision for learners in Fife and for continuing its strong commitment to people development – training and retaining our team of talented teachers to deliver vital Learn to Swim lessons.

As the winners of this prestigious award, we will have the privilege of hosting a special poolside visit from the Learn to Swim programme ambassadors – Olympic, World, and Commonwealth Champion Duncan Scott, along with Paralympian and World Champion Toni Shaw. Their involvement will inspire our community and help our programme reach new heights. More information about this will be available soon.

Cllr Linda Erskine, Fife Council’s spokesperson for Communities and Leisure Services, added her congratulations: “This is very well deserved. We are continuing to invest in the health and wellbeing of our communities providing facilities for these talented teachers to deliver this important life skill.”

Our Activities Manager, Lee Cunningham, shares what this award means for the Trust and our community.

1. How much does winning this award mean to the Trust? 

“This award is testament to our team’s commitment and dedication to provide a safe and nurturing environment for children and adults to Learn to Swim.  The recognition gives our team and exceptional swimming teachers an incredible opportunity to celebrate everyone involved in the Learn to Swim framework.

Receiving an award which recognises how we develop our people is truly remarkable for Fife Sports and Leisure Trust.”

2. What does winning this award mean for the people of Fife? How do you anticipate it will positively affect our local community and their engagement with our programmes? 

“The Scottish Water-sponsored award was presented to us for our efforts in expanding the teaching provision across Fife and offering more children and adults the opportunity to Learn to Swim.  Fife is making a positive difference by creating ‘Generation Swim’ a generation of safe and competent swimmers, who not only learn a vital life skill but also get to experience the wider health and social benefits that swimming can offer, in our local communities.”

3. Are there any exciting plans or goals that have been inspired by this achievement? It would be great to get a glimpse of what’s on the horizon for the Trust and the broader swimming community. 

“This award will give us a larger platform to build upon our workforce and offer more children the opportunity to learn to swim.  Our aim is to continue to strive for excellence every day and have a positive impact on our learner’s journey.

We have exciting plans for 2024 and we will continue to carry on the fantastic partnerships with external stakeholders and the swimming community.”

For more information about the programme or how to get involved, please visit: https://www.fifeleisure.org.uk/swimming-lessons/