A stroke of good fortune for swimmers
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A SCHOOL sports club has received a substantial financial boost from a local supermarket scheme.
Following votes from Forres Tesco shoppers for their preferred project, Forres Academy Swimming Team has been awarded £4000 from Tesco Bags for Help.
Sports co-ordinator Ann Rossiter confirmed the club was delighted with the support and will use it to pay for increasing costs of pool hire.
She said: "We are very grateful to the community for supporting our application and for Tesco allowing us the opportunity to engage in this process.
"In the past, students, staff and parent volunteers have carried out fundraising to cover the pool charges and we have every intention of continuing to do so, to help create sustainability for a programme that has been successful for over 15 years through the sport co-ordinator programme at Forres Academy.
“We will also be able to purchase new school swim team t-shirts along with swimming caps for our early morning swim team."
The team meets every Thursday morning at Forres Swimming Pool during term-time to train from 7.15-8.15am.
Coach Grant McPherson provides opportunities for the swimmers through extra-curricular training and school representation at national events.
He said: “The funding and support will enable this very worthwhile programme to continue. The pupils attending the early morning swimming programme continue to progress and achieve; they are a great group, ranging from S1 – S6 students. As coach and volunteer I am delighted to be given the chance to support and help drive this programme forward.”
Mrs Rossiter added: "We also identify opportunities for our senior students to take on leadership roles in the running and organisation of swimming events, fundraising and personal development.
"The students have already competed for the school in the Moray time trials held in November with success. A number met the criteria for consideration to the nationals but only two are in the frame for competing once all results from across Scotland had been collated.
"It is hoped that we will compete in the national team relays in June, which will be held in Edinburgh, so the funding will also help to support the travel and entry fees.”
