April 05, 2021
Swim Ireland’s plans and aspirations for 2020 changed completely on the 18th March when lockdown was announced, with the shut-down of life as we knew it.
The enforced global closure of Swimming Pools and Leisure Facilities has had, what can only be described as an unparalleled impact on our aquatic community.
The cessation of operations for our Swimming Pools, Leisure Facilities, Swim Schools, Swimming Teachers and Associate Members, has impacted in many ways, but many more that we don’t yet fully understand.
For many of you this has been the longest time you have been out of the water, off the pool deck or not delivering your aquatic activities.
For your customers and members’, it has been a time of frustration and uncertainty. For you and for the hundreds of thousands of children who attend your swimming lessons each week, as well as the 290,000 adults taking recreational dips, we certainly hope that this is something that is experienced only once in a lifetime.
As we begin to emerge from lockdown and navigate the new normal brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, Swim Ireland would like to thank you for your determination and resilience during this time.
We know it is frustrating with no clear exit route at the moment – but we want you to know that we stand with you, and we are working hard to ensure your voice is heard.
We recognise that our efforts may not have been particularly clear over the last year, however, we have been lobbying, writing submissions, meeting with Expert Groups and creating and adjusting robust documentation to highlight the highest levels of health and safety that Swimming Pools, Leisure Facilities, Swim Schools and Swimming Teachers follow.
You might not be aware that;
- We have been pushing for the immediate resumption of swimming lessons once pools are re-opened, with our CEO Sarah Keane featuring on RTE Radio One’s This Week programme on 14th March and our Chairman, Peter Conway appearing in a segment on RTE news on 24th March, highlighting Swim Ireland’s concern for swimming lessons
- Our CEO, Sarah Keane, and members of the Senior Leadership Team meet regularly with the Minister for Sport, as well as the Department of Sport, and we have significant input into the COVID-19 Sports Monitoring Group
- Our Chairman, Peter Conway attended the Joint Oireachtas Committee Hearing in October 2020 to outline our concerns for our sport
Please see Appendix below for a comprehensive list of what Swim Ireland have done to try to reopen pools.
Working alongside industry experts across the five nations of Ireland, Northern Ireland, Scotland, England and Wales, we have provided you with cutting edge guidance and recommendations for your Return to the Water.
Our series of frameworks for the Aquatic Industry, supporting Facilities and Operators, Swimming Pool Users and Swimming Lesson Providers, in both the public and private sectors map out a safe and effective Return to Water, ensuring the highest standards are maintained across our industry.
Having delivered over 350 webinars, online CPD, training and coffee chats with just under 9000 of you joining us, we know and understand the challenges you face and together we know you will get through this. We stand beside you, we will swim again and pools will become the centre of our communities once more.
Swim Ireland will continue to support you on your journey of Returning to Water and Getting Ireland Swimming again.
JONI HARDING
Head of Swim Ireland Education
Meetings and Submissions by Swim Ireland
April 05, 2021
April 2020
Minister & CEOs Meeting
Letter to the Minister of State and Department of Sport
May 2020
Minister & CEOs Meeting
June 2020
Sports Monitoring Group Meeting
Sports Monitoring Group Meeting
July 2020
Letter to Officials, Department of Sport
September 2020
Joint Letter with Ireland Active to An Taoiseach
Meeting with Department of Sport Officials
Sports Monitoring Group Meeting
October 2020
Meeting with the Minister of State at the Department of Sport
Joint Oireachtas Committee Meeting
Letter to the Minister of State and Department of Sport
Letters to Sport Ireland x 3
Joint Letter with Ireland Active to John Treacy, CEO of Sport Ireland
Launch of the Swimming Pool Grant - Swim Ireland and Ireland Active
November 2020
Sports Leadership Group Meeting, including the Minister of the Department of Sport
Sports Monitoring Group Meeting, including the Minister of the Department of Sport
Joint Letter with Ireland Active to John Treacy, CEO of Sport Ireland
January 2021
Sports Leadership Group Meeting, including the Minister of the Department of Sport
Detailed sector consultation submission in conjunction with Ireland Active and Sport Ireland, outlining needs and concerns for all elements of aquatic sports
February 2021
Further boost to Swimming Pool Grant Confirmed - Swim Ireland and Ireland Active
March 2021
Letter to the Minister of State and Department of Sport
Letter to Expert Advisory Group, Department of Sport
Submission of proposed timeline of return to swimming to Minister of State, Jack Chambers.
April 2021
Meeting with Minister of State and Department of Sport
Full Message & Appendix
Please find at the link below the full Appendix to this message for Swimming Pools, Facilities, Swim Schools, Swimming Teachers and Swim Ireland Associate Members.
This link includes the full message, the above details from the Appendix, and a list of the webinars that Swim Ireland has delivered to Facilities and Swimming Teachers since March 2020.
