Swim champ in goggles ban fury

Super-swimmer . . . but Alex’s school says he is not allowed to train in his goggles — despite winning a prestigious cup for them

THE father of a 10-year-old champion swimmer has taken his son out of school swimming lessons — because his teachers won’t let him wear goggles!

Alex Crossland-Robins is a member of Royton Swimming Club and has a raft of medals and cups proving his prowess in the sport.

He spends hours training in the water every week and wears goggles not only to protect his eyes from chlorine, but so he can see clearly to swim in straight lines.

Tomorrow, he will compete against the best of the North-West in the Junior Open Championships in Harrogate, Yorkshire.

And two months ago he helped his school — St Anne’s Primary, Royton — win a cup it hasn’t lifted for the last 16 years... while wearing goggles.

His angry father David Robins branded the school’s decision to prevent him wearing goggles during lessons as ludicrous and promptly withdrew the lad from swimming lessons.

He said: “Alex is a phenomenal swimmer and always swims in goggles. I won’t let him in the water without them.

“The silly thing is the school lessons are at Royton Pool, where there is a health and safety notice recommending people should wear goggles.

“This has been going on all this term and last term. I finally spoke to the headmistress about it three weeks ago. She said she would look into it and get back to me but I haven’t heard anything since.

“Alex feels left out and he’s being picked on by other pupils because he doesn’t swim, but I feel it’s important he wears goggles for his own safety.”

Alex’s goal is to one day swim for Great Britain in the Olympics. But Mr Robins said the school gives him no support to follow his dreams, although it was happy to let him represent the school — wearing his goggles — to help it win an award.

“I complained to Oldham Council but they just said it was at the discretion of the teacher who takes him swimming,” he added.

Councillor Jack Hulme is Oldham Council’s Cabinet member for children and families.

He said: “Our swimming teachers follow established guidelines. These state beginners and improvers — unless they have a medical condition — should not wear goggles.

“That is so that they can get used to eye contact with the water. Goggles are also usually only worn in prolonged training sessions for more advanced swimmers.”