NEWS

Swim England partners with the Black Swimming Association to help increase BME participation in aquatic activity

The partnership between the two organisations will aim to break down the barriers that prevent people from BME communities from taking part in swimming.

The Black Swimming Association (BSA) was launched earlier this year by musician Ed Accura, journalist and ex-swimmer Seren Jones, entrepreneur Danielle Obe and Team GB open water swimmer Alice Dearing. The association aims to overcome barriers to swimming within the BME community and drive participation, engagement and inclusion for people from BME communities in aquatics.

Swim England and the BSA will work together to highlight the importance of swimming as a key life skill and educate the black community on water safety and drowning prevention.

“We realise that our strength lies in working together to understand, address and overcome significant age-long barriers to swimming that exist within the BME community,” said Danielle Obe, BSA co-founder. “Only in a collaborative partnership can we foster participation, engagement and inclusion for BMEs in aquatics.”

Statistics show that 95% of black adults and 80% of black children in England do not swim and research suggests that the risk of drowning is higher among ethnic minority communities.

Mike Hawkes, Swim England Inclusion Officer, said: “We will be working closely with the BSA to ensure swimming competence is seen as a key life skill as well as a sort that can provide both mental and physical health benefits, safety and enjoyment.”

If you would like to find out more or support the BSA visit www.thebsa.co.uk .

Read our feature on the Black Swimming Association here.

Read our interview with co-founder Alice Dearing here.

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Jonathan is a year-round skins swimmer with a particular love of very cold water. He has competed in ice swimming competitions around the world. He is a qualified open water coach with a particular love of introducing new swimmers to the open water.