The City of Newport Swimming Club and Torfaen Dolphins have partnered to help keep club swimmers in the water during lockdown. Local lockdown restrictions introduced this week across Gwent would have meant that swimmers in Torfaen and Newport would no longer be able to attend their usual training sessions outside of the area in which they reside. However, the two organisations are working together to allow Newport swimmers to train with the Torfaen squad at Torfaen Leisure facilities, and vice versa with Newport Live, whilst the local lockdown in Newport is in force.

Swimmers will remain members of their usual club, but this will allow them to continue their coaching which is particularly vital for those training for national and international events and competitions. Members of both clubs have already been unable to access pools for several months during 2020 due to the enforced closure of leisure centres earlier in the year and this will alleviate further interruption to their training.  

This partnership demonstrates another example of sports organisations coming together to support access to physical activity for the local community, following the announcement of the Active Gwent initiative also introduced in Gwent this week by 5 local leisure providers.

Julian Knight, Chair of The City of Newport Swimming Club said “We are really pleased to support this opportunity to keep our swimmers active and engaged in swim training.  I am very pleased that Torfaen Dolphins and City of Newport have been able to quickly forge this important partnership and grateful for the efforts of those who have shaped this exciting venture during challenging times”.

Paul McRae, Chairman of Torfaen Dolphins said “One of our main objectives has been to ensure that not only could our swimmers safely return to training post lockdown, but to establish how else we can continue to offer pool time during local lockdowns. It became clear very quickly that our own and the City of Newport’s vision is aligned in this respect and we look forward to building stronger links with the City of Newport Swim in the future. A heartfelt thank you from the Torfaen Dolphins swim family to everyone at Newport who has helped make this possible.”

Affected swimmers will be contacted directly by their swimming club to advise on the changes and what they need to do to attend their new sessions.

Both the City of Newport Swimming Club and Torfaen Dolphins, as well as Newport Live and Torfaen Leisure Trust, have additional measures including social distancing and amendments to timetable to ensure all swimmers, staff and coaches can access the pool and train safely.

To find out more about The City of Newport Swimming Club or Torfaen Dolphins please visit http://www.newportswimmingclub.co.uk and https://www.torfaendolphins.com