Parkwood Leisure, one of the UK’s leading leisure management companies, has partnered with Swim Wales, the national governing body for aquatics in Wales, to deliver its Learn to Swim framework, promoting water safety and aquatic development in leisure centres and facilities operated by Parkwood and its partners across Wales.

As part of the multi-year partnership, Swim Wales will provide support for all aquatic training and development requirements for Parkwood Leisure.

This will include a comprehensive range of services, including supporting swimming teacher growth plans and ensuring high-quality lesson delivery through regular audits, enabling Parkwood Leisure to further develop the Learn to Swim programme.

This new partnership will ensure that people of all ages and abilities in Wales who are learning to swim do so through the highest quality of learn-to-swim experience

Swim Wales will also supply all Learn to Swim awards, ensuring participants receive the recognition for their accomplishments.

The collaboration aims to provide further opportunities for participants to learn how to swim and improve their skills at various levels, facilitating a progression to performance and participation for life.

And it comes just months after the launch of YMLAEN: Swim Wales’ Strategy for Aquatics in Wales.

The three-year strategy, launched in June, aims to drive Welsh aquatics forward, supporting 500,000 people across Wales who participate in aquatics every week.

Ally Zell, head of aquatics and sports at Parkwood Leisure, said: “We’re so proud to have partnered with Swim Wales to help deliver their Learn to Swim programme across all our Welsh contracts.

“Swimming is a healthy, enjoyable activity, and a vital life-saving skill, and everyone at Parkwood is proud to support Swim Wales’ vision – Aquatics for Everyone for Life.

Our recently-launched YMLAEN Strategy sets out our desire to create and maintain sustainable, lasting partnerships to help build happier and healthier local communities in Wales

“The partnership will enable us to share best practices and resources, helping to ensure the quality delivery of the Learn to Swim programme, while ensuring it remains accessible to all, giving everyone the opportunity to learn to swim.”

Swim Wales chief executive, Fergus Feeney, added: “Swim Wales has enjoyed a strong working relationship with Parkwood Leisure for several years as one of the most-experienced providers of leisure management provision in the UK.

“This new partnership will ensure that people of all ages and abilities in Wales who are learning to swim do so through the highest quality of learn-to-swim experience.

“Our recently-launched YMLAEN Strategy sets out our desire to create and maintain sustainable, lasting partnerships to help build happier and healthier local communities in Wales, and Parkwood Leisure shares this mission and we are delighted they have chosen to align with Swim Wales.”