The ASA has launched an exciting new project to create a more diverse workforce in swimming and increase the number of people taking to the pool.

The aim of the Adult Social Swimming Project is to encourage more people from diverse backgrounds to take up swimming teaching as a career. By doing so, it is hoped that more people from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) backgrounds will also start swimming.

Funded by the Swimming Trust and delivered in partnership with the ASA, the project will allow people the chance to qualify as a Level 1 and then a Level 2 swimming teacher at a reduced price.

This comes as the most recent Sport England Active People Survey shows that 11,000 more adults are swimming each week and over 100,000 more people are swimming monthly, compared to last year.

ASA Health and Wellbeing Manager, Jamie Hooper, said: “It's great that more people are swimming but we need to ensure these numbers represent the entire population.

“The Adult Social Swimming Project supports people from all backgrounds to become qualified swimming teachers. By creating a more diverse workforce within swimming we hope to break down some of the barriers that are stopping some adults from getting involved in this fun activity.

“We are working with Sporting Equals and Street Games to encourage people from communities where swimming teaching wouldn't normally seem a viable career path to get involved. Not only will they be able to take part in new training, they will also have the opportunity to help and inspire others in their community.”

The project is already running in Tameside, Bury and Birmingham, and from early 2017 will be expanding to Haringey and Bedfordshire. Each one will provide an opportunity for up to 20 people to embark on this new career path.

• If you would like to find out more about any of the projects, please contact jamie.hooper@swimming.org.