A group of the nation’s most talented disability swimmers are to be introduced to a pioneering Advanced Apprenticeship in Sporting Excellence (AASE) programme designed to provide athletes with the necessary skills to become champions while continuing their education.

The Amateur Swimming Association - one of the first sports governing bodies to sign up for the scheme - will welcome 15 of the next generation disability swimmers onto Government-funded AASE schemes over the next two weeks.

And a group of eight swimmers will be the first to undergo the scheme in Loughborough this weekend where they will be given an overview of the eight units that make up the NVQ Level 3 qualification.

A further seven disability athletes will be inducted the following weekend (18th February) at University of Bath.

As part of the programme, athletes will learn about such key subjects as time management, career planning, nutrition, training, and communications. This valuable experience will go towards preparing them for international competition.

The new AASE programme will work towards enhancing that talent by offering a valuable insight, at an early age, as to what is required to succeed on the international stage.

Developed by Skills Active, in association with industry experts and sports governing bodies, AASE is funded in England by the Learning and Skills Council and aims to meet the needs of young people to achieve excellence in their sport as their main career goal while continuing with their education.

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The Disability Swimming apprentices inducted on 11th February are:

Name	Region	Swimming Club
Philip Turner	West Midlands	COSACSS/ West Midlands
Kim Briggs	West Midlands	Droitwich Dolphins
Danny Parrot	West Midlands	City of Coventry SC
Laura Bellars	East Mids	South Lincs Competitive SC
Christopher Foster	Eastern	Bishops Stortford
Sarah Bowling	Eastern	Kings Lynn and Downham & Dist
Stephen Gordon	North East	South Tynside & Sth Sunderland
Rachael Latham	North West	Bolton Metro Swim Squad
Dan Pepper	North West	Stockport Metro SC

The Disability Swimming apprentices inducted on 18th February are:

Name	Region	Swimming Club
David Yates	South East	Abingdon Vale
James King	South East	City of Southampton
Laura Giddings	South East	Kelly College
Sophie Nash	South East	Winchester City Penguins
Shane Scullion	South East	Portsmouth Northsea SC
Kate Grey	South West	Thornbury Swimming Club
David Hill	South West	Kelly College
Matt Whorwood	South West	Newquay SC

For further details contact Dave Richards, British Swimming Media Manager, on 01509 632237, 0778 992 6136 or email dave.richards@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.

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