The Department of Culture, Media and Sport has announced that free swimming for those aged 16 and under and over 60 will be cancelled as part of government savings of around £73m.

Funding for free swims under the ‘Free Swimming’ programme will end this summer and is sure to have an effect on participation.

The scheme for the under-16s and over-60s was launched by the Labour government two years ago as a London 2012 Olympic legacy initiative.

The ASA has expressed its disappointment that the initiative will stop: ‘While we are disappointed to learn that Free Swimming will stop shortly we recognise that in the current economic climate the government needs to prioritise its spending and in that regard we understand the decision,’ said David Sparkes, the Chief Executive of the ASA.

Source: Sport Industry Daily