Crompton Classics going the distance

Photo: PICTURE by GARETH LOWE.

Crompton Classics Amateur Swimming Club coaches Brian Minihan (back, left), Chris Hodges, Jane Cook (middle, left), Helen Kostyk and Richard Ashworth (front).

SWIMMING:

CROMPTON Classics Amateur Swimming Club will go to any lengths to show they are a splashing success.

They the proud owners of Swim 21 accreditation, which requires a huge ongoing effort from a staff made up entirely of volunteers.

And this week young members demonstrated why all the hard work is worth it by swimming the equivalent of two marathons — 3,600 lengths — in three hours at Shaw swimming pool.

Club secretary Diane Rousan explained: “We do not receive grants anymore so events like these are one of the only ways we can raise money for the club.

“I am not sure how much we raised yet as it is still being totted up, but I know people kindly sponsored the 55 swimmers.”

Crompton Classics boast 106 members aged five to 14-years-old, with five qualified coaches headed by Brian Minihan.

Swim 21 was awarded by Sport England as part of a Clubmark scheme which requires clubs to meet strict criteria.

Diane added: “Not only did we have to work incredibly hard to get it, but checks are carried out every six months to ensure we are still hitting targets.

“We had to form a committee, provide evidence of work in the community, make sure everyone involved was a volunteer and that adults joining the group were CRB-checked, as well as ensuring we were up to scratch in every other department.

“With one eye on the future, plenty of the children are signing up for a leadership programme linked to

the Amateur Swimming Association, which helps them either prepare for coaching in the years ahead, or explore similar areas such as life-guarding.”

Crompton Classics are keen to recruit new members. Visit www.cromptonclassics.moonfruit.com for more details.