8:30am Saturday 1st November 2008
By Will Carson
OLYMPIC swimming star Duncan Goodhew has urged civic leaders to reconsider plans to axe free swimming for children in Southampton.
The gold medal winner said council leisure bosses should “think very carefully” before slashing free sessions for under 12s at three city pools.
As previously reported in the Daily Echo, Tory leaders want to cut sessions at Oaklands, Bitterne and The Quays in an attempt to plug a £13m budget black hole.
Goodhew, who won gold in the 100m breaststroke and bronze in 4x100 medley at the 1980 Olympics in Moscow, was in Southampton to promote Premier Sport’s free sports for kids scheme at the Warren Centre in Shirley Warren.
The 51-year-old said: “It is a great shame that these lessons are under threat. I find it very strange that, after the success of the Olympics and at a time when the Government is trying to encourage more youngsters to take up sport, especially swimming, free swimming lessons could be under threat.
“Swimming is unique as a sport. It is part of the national curriculum and one of those basic skills every parent wants their child to have. It’s also one of the Government’s three focus sports along with running and cycling.
“As far as I’m concerned the health and fitness of the community is of paramount importance, particularly given the rise in obesity.”
The scheme was introduced for under sevens two years ago and rolled out further by a Lib/Lab budget coalition in April. Around 2,600 kids have registered.
But Tories claim it has a low take-up and that it was too costly. Cabinet member for resources, Councillor Jeremy Moulton, said the Government had not stumped up enough cash, and was offering to pay only an estimated quarter of the costs.
“Sadly, it is not affordable within our current economic pressures,” he said.
Labour councillor Don Thomas, whose Coxford ward includes Oaklands swimming pool, said: “This is lunacy with the Olympics coming our way.”
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