Olympic bronze medallist Steve Parry has joined the North West Regional Sports Board to help raise the profile of sport in the region.

Parry will share his expertise and experience and will work to support community sport as well as helping to ensure a 2012 legacy in the North West.

The North West Sports Board is responsible for the success of sport in the North West by directing Sport England's activities in the region. It works in partnership with key agencies and other regional partners to lead, support and develop sport and it's infrastructure in the region. It champions and advocates Sport England's strategies and represents sport within the region.

Having competed at the highest level of swimming for ten years, Parry has continued his involvement in the sport he loves and as well as providing support to his former club Stockport Metro, the butterfly specialist is the driving force behind the innovative swimming company Total Swimming.

Chairman of the Regional Sports Board Andy Worthington MBE believes Parry’s appointment will bring a new dimension to the work of the Board.

“It is great news for sport in the North West that people of the calibre, experience and commitment of Steve are working with us to develop sport in the community,” he said. “He brings new insights into the power of sport and will help inform decisions on funding and promoting sport across our region.”  

Parry is looking forward to increasing his involvement in local sport and getting people in the region more active.

“I am completely passionate about sport,” he said. “I am keen to do what I can in the drive to increase participation in sport by 1% a year because the benefits to us all would be huge. Sport has given me a lot in my life - now I have the chance to give something back.'

Sport England North West is tasked with getting over 250,000 more people involved in sport and physical activity by 2012. Participation levels in sport and active recreation vary widely across the North West, which includes some of England's most - and least - active local authority areas, according to the results of the Active People survey - the largest ever survey into sport and physical activity. More than half of people aged 16 and over in the North West - some 52.4% - don't take part in any sport or active recreation, just above the national figure of 50.6% (1)

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For more information contact ASA media officer Amanda Smith on 01509 632238, 07876 652 318 or email amanda.smith@swimming.org

The Amateur Swimming Association is the English National Governing Body for Swimming, Diving, Water Polo, Open Water, and Synchronised Swimming. It organises competition throughout England, establishes the Laws of the Sport and operates comprehensive certification and education programmes for Teachers, Coaches and Officials as well as its renowned Learn To Swim Awards scheme. The ASA supports 1,600 affiliated swimming clubs through a National/Regional/County structure. The ASA aims to ensure everybody has an opportunity to learn to swim.

Swimfit.com is the National Governing Body’s online fitness club for swimmers, which provides pool-based workouts for people of all abilities from beginners to the more advanced and is a great alternative to basic lane swimming.

Kellogg’s Swim Active is a UK-wide programme to provide young people and their families with easier access to swimming facilities. It aims to break down the barriers which prevent people participating to ensure everybody has the opportunity to enjoy swimming as part of a healthy balanced lifestyle.

The Kellogg’s ASA Awards Scheme is the most successful awards scheme in British sport and issues around two million awards every year to swimmers all around the world.