THE STA CELEBRATES A FIRST FOR SCOTLAND
30.11.2005
Renfrewshire Leisure Ltd is the first swimming organisation in Scotland to be awarded the STAmark.
Renfrewshire Leisure Ltd is the first swimming organisation in Scotland to be awarded the Swimming Teachers’ Association’s (STA) STAmark. The award follows the extensive and successful work undertaken throughout the region by the company with its popular ‘learn to swim’ scheme.
The STAmark has been developed by the STA as a Quality Award to encourage swim schools and similar organisations that teach swimming, to improve the quality of service standards and to recognise good industry practice.
Billy Mimnagh, Swimming Development Officer, Renfrewshire Leisure, explained: “We are delighted to have been acknowledged by the STA with this quality stamp which endorses the good work that has been undertaken by all the teams across the region. The STAmark now gives our Pirate Pete swimming scheme, which is enjoyed by hundreds of children who participate each year, a national accreditation that adds further value to the award.”
Renfrewshire Leisure runs over 260 classes per week across its five centres at The Lagoon Leisure Centre and Elderslie, Johnstone, Renfrew, and Erskine swimming pools, supported by 70 qualified staff. Classes address a full age range from parent and toddlers to old aged pensioners.
“We have a successful learn to swim scheme that caters for all ages which includes a large curriculum swimming programme for the 52 schools within our boundaries. Our own award scheme, based on a pirate called Pete, is aimed at youngsters of all ages and has four levels of achievement, the Gemstones, Survival Challenge, Skill Challenge and Distance” Billy Minnagh continued.
“Swimming lessons range from total beginner classes for adults and children and progress to advanced standards. Those who wish to develop their skills and performance further are able to link up with various clubs within the area,”
The STAmark is endorsed by the Institute of Leisure and Amenity Management (ILAM) who are the lead professional body within the leisure industry; and it is a nationally recognised quality mark that externally validates and recognises safe practices and standards in swim-schools. The STAmark has a strong bias towards both safety and recognition of how effective and efficient the swim-school is in managing its business.
