Three of Scotland’s most successful sports governing bodies have confirmed an exciting collaboration which aims to build on the recent success that they have enjoyed. Several meetings have taken place over the last few months between both the Chairs and CEOs of Scottish Athletics, Scottish Cycling and Scottish Swimming; early discussions have focussed on the progress that has been made in developing the club and performance system in Scotland and the importance of building on this and secondly the desire of the SGBs to have a voice and play their part in the development of wider sport and physical activity policy alongside sportscotland. The SGBs will look to work with their colleagues in other sports in the coming months to build on this partnership.

Scottish Athletics Interim CEO Mark Munro said,

“All three sports have been successful in recent years and are in a very similar position in terms of club numbers, participants and performance outputs. As such it makes sense to collaborate across a number of areas and share good practice. However, it is increasingly important that the collaboration impacts positively in helping shape national sports policy as well as working collectively to influence the physical activity agenda.”

Craig Burn, CEO for Scottish Cycling said,

“By working together we can play a stronger part in influencing the future of Scottish sport.  As collaboration we will work with other governing bodies to have a collective voice.  Sport has great support from Local Authorities, Leisure Trusts and other local organisations but the challenging economic environment both nationally and locally makes collaboration like this even more important.   We all need to look for new ways to become more efficient and by sharing resources and best practice we can offer better value for our members and stakeholders. There is also a pressing need to find solutions to the long term challenges and ensure sport and physical activity continue to be adequately resourced. It's not an either or, we need a world class system that's properly resourced to support clubs and communities,  delivers a nation of champions to inspire Scotland to get active."

Forbes Dunlop, CEO, Scottish Swimming also commented,

“As National Governing Bodies our core focus and responsibility is on our members, teacher and coach education, and the competitive pathway. As such and with the support of sportscotland we have invested in our clubs, coaches and athletes, raising standards year on year and resulting in membership growth and performance results on the international stage. Our success has been built in a systematic way over 15 years, it is critical that we continue to develop and enhance that system if we are to continue to enjoy success in both the development and performance of our sport.”

The three governing bodies plan to work closely with senior members of sportscotland to ensure the sporting agenda (participants, clubs, events, coaches, performance) is recognised as an essential part of government’s policy on sport and physical activity going forwards, as well as collaborating with key influencers around participation and physical activity where all three sports are extremely active. 

- End -

For further information please contact:
Peter Jardine, Head of Communications, Scottish Athletics: 07885 868164
Gillian Lambie, Communications Officer, Scottish Cycling: 07908670488
Kirsten Phillips, Communications Manager, Scottish Swimming: 07730661788

Notes to the Editor:

About Scottish Athletics:
Scottish Athletics is the National Governing Body for the sport in Scotland and covers all disciplines and events including track and field, cross country, road running, hill running and trail/ultra running.

Our clear goal is to increase participation across the length and breadth of Scotland in partnership with our clubs and coaches as well as improving performance at elite level by creating the right pathway for athletes, alongside those programmes run by British Athletics.

More information on www.scottishathletics.org.uk

About Scottish Cycling:
Based at the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome in Glasgow, Scottish Cycling is the recognised national governing body for cycling in Scotland.

Scottish Cycling work across all six cycling disciplines: BMX, Mountain Bike, Cyclo-Cross, Road, Track and Cycle Speedway in 178 clubs throughout Scotland, with over 650 events across the disciplines providing lots of opportunities to participate.
From encouraging people to ride their bikes for the first time, to helping Scots compete on the international stage. Scottish Cycling also works in partnership with British Cycling to provide support across all levels of the sport in Scotland, as well as helping to nurture home-grown talent to compete at a world and Olympic level as part of a successful GB cycling team.

For more information please visit www.scottishcycling.org.uk 

About Scottish Swimming:
Scottish Swimming is the national governing body for swimming in Scotland. Scottish Swimming represents our clubs, swim schools, aquatic disciplines, athletes, coaches and thousands of talented and committed volunteers across the entire swimmer pathway. We are focused on delivering in the following key areas to reach our vision to ensure that everyone can swim: learn to swim, participation in aquatic activities, club development, coaching partnerships and performance.

For more information visit www.scottishswimming.com

Some of the best swimmers from the UK and abroad will compete at the Edinburgh International Swim Meet (EISM) next month. The event takes place at the Royal Commonwealth Pool 11-13 March, following its successful re-launch in 2015.

Event organisers, the Scottish Amateur Swimming Association (SASA) East District are working with sponsors the University of Edinburgh and Speedo to bring world-class swimmers to the Scottish capital. The meet provides a perfect opportunity for those heading to the British Olympic trials in Glasgow in April to assess their preparations for Rio. As a result, the EISM is one of the biggest events in the Scottish sporting calendar this year, alongside the likes of the Edinburgh Cross Country and Sainsbury’s Glasgow Grand Prix.

The best of British swimming talent will be on show in Edinburgh alongside up-and-coming stars. Current world record-holder in 50m and 100m breaststroke Adam Peaty will compete, as will Commonwealth games gold medalist Ross Murdoch and world championship bronze medalists Jazz Carlin and Siobhan Marie O’Connor. Other Commonwealth games stars such as Hannah Miley, Stephen Milne, Duncan Scott, Corrie Scott and Robbie Renwick are expected to attend.

Bringing an international flavour to the event will be Serbian world championship finalist, Caba Siladji and Danish athletes Mei Nielsen, who set a new world backstroke record in 2015, and 2014 European butterfly champion Viktor Bromer.

SASA East District President Ronnie Anderson commented:

“We are delighted to work in partnership with the University of Edinburgh to stage the event and to have Speedo as swimwear sponsor. Both, leaders in their fields, will add greatly to what we can offer swimmers competing in March. There will be a wealth of talent on display. The format provides an opportunity for our aspiring younger swimmers to enjoy the experience of swimming and competing alongside British and world elite."

Jim Aitken, Director of The University of Edinburgh Sport & Exercise, stated:

“The University of Edinburgh is thrilled to be lead sponsor of the EISM for the second time. Swimming is one of the University’s leading sports and we see EISM as an exciting way to showcase our world-class Performance Sport Programme and the University, while also supporting SASA East in delivering another magnificent sporting spectacle for the city. “

he University is hosting an athletes’ village over the weekend at nearby Pollock Halls. Chris Jones, Head of Performance Swimming at the University stated:

“Swimming is all about racing. The EISM gives athletes the perfect opportunity to check their progress against world-class competition as we lead into the all-important selection period for this summer’s Olympic Games in Rio.”

The City of Edinburgh Council is also offering support to encourage wider participation in sport and showcase the city to an international audience.

Speedo is proud to be sponsoring this international event in 2016. It will be providing prizes and kit for successful athletes and event merchandise will be available to buy on site for the duration of the event. Helen Yarnall, UK marketing manager for Speedo said of the opportunity: “Speedo is delighted to support the 2016 Edinburgh International swim meet. A number of our sponsored athletes are attending and we look forward to playing an active part in supporting this event.”

Last year the meet attracted more than 1,000 athletes from 21 countries, including teams from Austria, Switzerland and Denmark and clubs from across the UK and Ireland. It was live streamed and viewed in 70 countries.  It will again have a strong developmental edge with age group competitions running alongside the open events.

Demand for spectator tickets is expected to be high. Family and friends of those competing will be able to order tickets in advance from 1 February onwards. The remaining tickets will go on sale from1 March onwards. Details of the procedure to order tickets can be found, after 1 February, at:http://www.sasaeastdistrict.org.uk/swimming/competitions/edinburgh-international 

Open events take place in the morning with age group competitors swimming in the afternoon. Finals for open and age group events take place each evening. The programme is as follows:

Friday evening: Women 200m IM, Men 400m Freestyle, Women 50m Freestyle, Men 50m Breaststroke, Women 200m Backstroke, Men 200m Backstroke, Women 800m Freestyle, Men 100m Freestyle, Women 100m Breaststroke, Men 400m IM, Women 100m Butterfly, Mixed 4x 50m Medley relay.

Saturday evening:  Men 1500m Freestyle, Women 50m Butterfly, Men 50m Freestyle, Women 400m Freestyle, Men 100m Breaststroke, Women 50m Backstroke, Men 50m Backstroke, Women 200m Butterfly, Men 200m IM, Women 100m Freestyle, Men 100m Butterfly, Women 200m Breaststroke, Mixed 4 x 50m Freestyle relay.

Sunday evening: Men 200m Breaststroke, Women 400m IM, Men 50m Butterfly, Women 50m Breaststroke, Men 100m Backstroke, Women 100m Backstroke, Men 200m Butterfly, Women 200m Freestyle, Men 200m Freestyle.

Swim Social - Fun Fitness Friendship

Everyone can swim – just add water!

Water is the order of the day as Scottish Swimming launches a new Swim Social programme, being rolled out across Scotland thanks to a new partnership with Scottish Water, which launches on 1st September.

Scottish Swimming and Scottish Water will work together to offer Swim Social, a coach-led adult swimming programme which is centred around having fun, getting fit and making new friends while improving stroke technique.

The programme which has been piloted in a number of areas across Scotland, will officially launch at Tollcross International Swimming Centre, the world class and host venue for swimming at the Glasgow 2014 Games on Tuesday September 1st, where a number of Scottish Water staff will take the plunge and be given expert advice from a qualified coach, as well as some tips and support from Double Commonwealth Games Champion, David Carry, who having retired from competitive swimming, remains active and passionate about his sport. 

Speaking ahead of the launch, Forbes Dunlop, Chief Executive of Scottish Swimming, said,

“A partnership with Scottish Water was an obvious choice for us, with water playing a pivotal role in both our organisations.

“Scottish Swimming’s vision is “everyone can swim” but we have found that adults often lack opportunities to improve their swimming and this is where Swim Social comes in. Scottish Water’s investment will assist with the marketing and promotion of this programme and will allow Scottish Swimming to roll out Swim Social on a national basis, working in collaboration with Local Authorities, Leisure Trusts and stakeholders to ensure the delivery of quality adult swimming provision, leading to healthy active adults who maximise their swimming potential. We are delighted to have them on board.”

Chris Wallace, Scottish Water’s Director of Communications, said:

“The aim of Swim Social is to provide fun, fitness and friendship, this is something that we fully support and we hope that by working with Scottish Swimming, by just adding water, Scottish Water, we can encourage people across Scotland to take part.

“Water is essential for human life and our wellbeing and the obvious links between Scottish Swimming and Scottish Water means it makes sense for us to work together to promote this great initiative.”

Swim Social is aimed at a wide range of people who have different reason for attending, from improving swimming ability and/or providing an alternative or complementary activity to running. It can also aid recovery following injury or illness, whilst, as it says on the tin, socially meeting likeminded people who enjoy fun fitness and friendship in a social environment.

This launch event will mark the start of regular Swim Social sessions in Glasgow, Aberdeen, Edinburgh, West Lothian, Stirling, East Lothian and Orkney. With darker nights and the weather turning, Scottish Swimming and Scottish Water  hope that September is the ideal  time to encourage adults to avoid winter hibernation and instead come along to their local pool and keep fit and healthy as part of the Swim Social programme.

Notes:
A dedicated area for Swim Social can be found on the Scottish Swimming website: http://www.scottishswimming.com/swim-social.aspx

About Scottish Swimming
Scottish Swimming is the national governing body for swimming in Scotland. Scottish Swimming represents our clubs, swim schools, aquatic disciplines, athletes, coaches and thousands of talented and committed volunteers across the entire swimmer pathway. We are focused on delivering in the following key areas to reach our vision to ensure that everyone can swim: learn to swim, participation in aquatic activities, club development, coaching partnerships and performance.

For more information visit www.scottishswimming.com

About Scottish Water
Scottish Water provides vital water and waste water services, essential to daily life, to 2.46 million households and 150,000 business premises across Scotland. Every day, it provides 1.34 billion litres of clear and fresh drinking water and takes away 847 million litres of waste water, which it treats before returning to the environment.

For more information, visit www.scottishwater.co.uk

Scottish national one-mile open water event to become part of elite programme

Scottish Swimming have announced that the national one mile open water championship race will take place at this years Great Scottish Swim in Loch Lomond, 29 August.

The race will be part of the elite competition which will see some of the world’s best open water swimmers, compete against Scotland’s top home grown talent, in one of the country’s most iconic settings.

The Great Scottish Swim is Scotland’s biggest open water swim with over 2000 people taking part across the day, in a range of distances from a beginners half-mile challenge, all the way up to a gruelling 5k “half-marathon” swim. 

Lining up for the one mile elite race will be Commonwealth Champion and local Balloch boy, Ross Murdoch, who will be competing in the open water for the first time, he will be joined by fellow Scot, Commonwealth silver medallist, Robbie Renwick.

They will be taking on international talent including 2013 World Champion Christian Reichert of Germany as well as newly crowned 2015 World Champion and six time Midmar Mile winner, South Africa’s Chad Ho.

The women’s race will feature two time National USA 10KM Champion, Christine Jennings alongside two time World Champion, and Olympic Silver medallist, Team GB’s Keri-anne Payne. 

Tom Broadbent, elite athlete manager at Great Swim said, ”We’re extremely proud to host the Scottish National Championship race as part of the Great Scottish Swim.

“The race is open to both senior and junior athletes, and it will be a great experience for younger athletes to compete against top international talent, hopefully it will result in some great performances all round.”

Forbes Dunlop, Chief Executive of Scottish Swimming said, “Open Water swimming in growing in both popularity and stature and we are delighted to be working in partnership with Great Swim to host the Scottish National Championship over one mile.

“Through our Swim Social platform we have been providing opportunities for individuals to come and try open water swimming. These sessions are coach led and are held in a safe, supportive and fun environment. Feedback suggests that many people have used these opportunities ahead of the Great Swim to develop their skills ahead of this great event.”

Mairi Bell, Head of Visitor Experience at Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park, said,
  
“There is no better setting than Loch Lomond to host Scotland’s largest open water swimming event. The Great Swim brings competitors from around the globe to this stunning part of the world, and we encourage them to explore the rest of the National Park while they are here.  We’re delighted that local swimming hero Ross Murdoch is taking to the water and I hope this will inspire other budding swimmers to take up the sport.”

This is the third year the Great Scottish Swim has been held at Loch Lomond, with the open water swimming element of the inaugural, multi-event European Championships due to take place on the loch in 2018.    

Paul Bush OBE, VisitScotland’s Director of Events, said, “We are delighted to support the Great Scottish Swim and welcome some of the world’s very best open water swimmers back to Scotland, as well as those competing in the Scottish National Championship. With our wealth of stunning natural assets, Scotland is the perfect stage for events and it is without doubt that Loch Lomond will again provide all entrants with a sensational setting for this exciting contest.”

As well as overall prizes for the first five athletes to finish, elite swimmers will be awarded on their speed over the first 200m and 400m, with prize money on offer for the first male and female athletes past these markers.

For more information on qualifying standards and up to date athlete announcements please visitgreatswim.org/Scotland.

For more information about taking up open water swimming, visit www.vigourevents.com, or for details of Scottish Swimming’s ‘Come and Try’ events go to www.scottishswimming.com.

Ends. 

CONTACT:

Philippa Morrow / philippa.morrow@thegreatruncompany.com  / 07921 582 509

Kirsten Phillips / k.phillips@scottishswimming.com / 07730 661788

Notes to editors:
All Scottish athletes wishing to compete must be able to demonstrate the following qualification times*.

Women
800m - 9:40
1500m - 18:40
2K (OW) - 33:00

Men
800m - 9:30
1500m - 17:20
2K (OW) - 32:30

(*800m and 1500m times must be swum in a pool, the 2K times are open water specific.)

About Great Swim
The Great Scottish Swim is the part of the Great Swim Series, which attracts over 20,000 participants to five events in lakes, lochs and urban docks around the country.


The Great Scottish Swim is staged in partnership with Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park, EventScotland and West Dunbartonshire Council.

Great Swim is organised by The Great Run Company, the world’s favourite run with over 280,000 participants a year taking part. The events programme stretches across the UK from Glasgow to Portsmouth offering a full range of distances from 5k through to a Marathon team relay. Most events include a family running element and support the growing INEOS Go Run for Fun campaign.

A full range of online training services are available from Great Run Training. Great Run Local is a series of weekly events staged in our key cities. All designed to provide the support and advice for participants of all abilities to achieve their personal goal.

To find out more about the events and services provided by Great Run and its partners visitwww.greatrun.org.

Great Run, the world’s favourite run

About Scottish Swimming
Scottish Swimming is the national governing body for swimming in Scotland. Scottish Swimming represents our clubs, swim schools, aquatic disciplines, athletes, coaches and thousands of talented and committed volunteers across the entire swimmer pathway. We are focused on delivering in the following key areas to reach our vision to ensure that everyone can swim: learn to swim, participation in aquatic activities, club development, coaching partnerships and performance.
For more information visit www.scottishswimming.com

About EventScotland
EventScotland is working to make Scotland the perfect stage for events. By developing an exciting portfolio of sporting and cultural events EventScotland is helping to raise Scotland’s international profile and boost the economy by attracting more visitors. For further information about EventScotland, its funding programmes and latest event news visit www.EventScotland.org. Follow EventScotland on Twitter @EventScotNews. EventScotland a team in the VisitScotland Events Directorate - the national tourism organisation which markets Scotland as a tourism destination across the world, gives support to the tourism industry and brings sustainable tourism growth to Scotland.