Monnow Wins Community Chest Coaching Award
The 2012 Olympic legacy is thriving in Monmouth thanks to Monmouthshire County Council’s recent recognition of Monnow Swimming Club
Through Sport Wales and the Monmouthshire Community Chest scheme, an award has been given to the local club, which trains five times a week at the Haberdashers’ Schools’ pools in Monmouth. The grant, worth a generous £1500, is made to clubs that help grass roots community sport across Wales.
The funding has been used to train coaches at the club in Aquatics Teaching skills. “The Level 2 course was very worthwhile and has improved our technical knowledge”, said Kate Jarvis and Cheryl Hockey, two of the coaches at Monnow. ” We can now better develop our swimmers’ stroke techniques for competitions.”
Monnow has a dedicated team of volunteer coaches, all qualified to Amateur Swimming Association standards. “The kids really benefit from qualified coaching, ” says Richard Sparkes, chairman of the swimming club. “This funding has been used to invest in training for former swimmers and existing coaches who have dedicated time and energy to the club over the past few years.”
The funding also supports the development of future coaches. Student lifeguards and club members Frances Hoult and Eloise Oubridge Brock both passed their Level 1 courses with flying colours.
Chair of the Monmouthshire Community Chest Panel, David Blair, said “The Community Chest Programme in Monmouthshire has supported numerous diverse activities over the years, seeking to make more people in the local area more active, more of the time. Grants have funded the costs associated with coaching and the purchase of a huge range of equipment. The Programme ultimately supports the vision and dedication of local groups and individuals.”
Monnow Swimming Club has grown to more than 80 members aged between eight to eighteen and actively encourages youngsters to take part in swim meets in South Wales and the border counties.