Olympian Mark Foster Makes a Splash at Harrow School!

Wednesday 15 June 2011 at 08:51

Olympian and former swimming world record holder Mark Foster yesterday gave children in Harrow an extra special lesson this morning, as he officially opened a temporary pool in the grounds of their school.

 

The six times world champion and star of Strictly Come Dancing dropped into Pinner Wood School to launch the new facility, aimed at encouraging the community to take up swimming ahead of the London Olympics.

 

The pool forms part of the Mayor of London Boris Johnson’s ‘Make a Splash’ programme and is being funded by the Mayor, the Variety Club, MWBex, the Amateur Swimming Association and Harrow Council.

 

‘Make a Splash’ is being delivered on behalf of the Mayor by Total Swimming and will teach thousands of Londoners to swim. About 75 per cent of people using the pools are expected to be non-swimmers, and more than 70,000 lessons for those of all ages and abilities are planned over the next two years.

 

The pool in Harrow will be used to teach children from Pinner Wood and other local schools how to swim. Currently one in five children in England leaves school unable to swim.

 

Out of school hours and at weekends the pool will also available for use by Harrow residents, with the programme of activities including swimming lessons for children and adults; parent and baby sessions and aqua fitness classes.

 

Mark Foster represented Great Britain at five Olympic Games, set eight world records and won six World Championship gold medals to establish himself as one of the country’s greatest ever swimmers. He held a special assembly at the school on Tuesday morning before leading a lesson and fun session in the pool.

 

He said:

 

"I am delighted to be involved with the Make a Splash programme and I am looking forward to helping the children of Harrow to learn to swim.

 

"Swimming is not only a hugely important life skill but can help contribute to a healthier lifestyle. I'd like to encourage as many people as possible to come down to the pool at Pinner Wood School and take the plunge."

 

Portfolio Holder for Community and Cultural Services at Harrow Council, Cllr David Perry, said:

 

“With just a year to go until the start of the London Olympics we are thrilled to bring this new sporting facility to the borough. To have a British swimming legend on hand to open the pool was a real bonus and we thank Mark Foster for giving the pupils a swimming lesson they will never forget.

 

“This pool is going to be a real asset for the whole community of Harrow throughout the summer. Outside of school hours and during the summer holiday it will offer a range of activities for everyone.

 

“I hope it will inspire a life-long passion for swimming and sport and encourage those who use it to make use of Harrow Council’s excellent leisure centres and swimming pools.”

 

The Mayor of London Boris Johnson said: “Our Make a Splash campaign aims to do exactly that - I want to ensure as many Londoners as possible learn to swim. Everyone should have the opportunity to get involved in a whole range of sports, which is why I am investing over £15 million into community sport by 2012.

 

“Building a lasting sporting legacy among young Londoners will be a crucial measure of success following the 2012 Games so I urge schools across the capital to see how to get involved.

 

“And it’s not just for youngsters. Anyone, whatever their age or ability, can feel the benefits of a healthier lifestyle so I am determined to ensure Harrow’s enthusiasm for their new pool is replicated across the boroughs.”

 

More information about the Make a Splash project, including timetables of activities at Pinner Wood School, please visit the Pinner Wood School page of the Make a Splash website. Users can book sessions by calling Community Swimming on 0844 736 9047.