FLIP N FUN INITIATIVE READY FOR NATIONAL LAUNCH
A new initiative designed to introduce young children to
Britain's successful Olympic sport of Diving is being launched
by the Amateur Swimming Association.
The Diving FUNdamentals programme known as Flip n Fun will
provide children with an opportunity to experience the basics
of a sport that has celebrated Olympic, World Championship
and Commonwealth success over the past three years.
As Diving looks to draw youngsters into the sport and unearth
the champions of tomorrow, Flip n Fun provides the perfect
starting point to a development pathway designed to nurture
talent, reward and motivate, and provide opportunities to
compete.
Flip n Fun is aimed at all children aged five to 11 and is
the first stage of six within the ASA's Long Term Athlete
Development model for diving.
The initiative involves a structured programme providing
children with familiarity of basic movements and skills in
the water and on dry land at schools and facilities nationwide.
One of those involved in implementing the new programme is
British Diving World Class Operations Talent Manager Julian
Bellan.
"We're trying to take the sport of diving to a broader
audience and give people the chance to sample some of its
fundamental elements," explained Bellan.
"There is no need for a diving facility as part of the
programme as the idea of Flip n Fun is to bring diving into
swimming lessons and the initial response to this from teachers
has been impressive.
"Children will be able to take the skills they've gained
and adapt them to whatever aquatic discipline they choose.
For those that stay within the sport it offers a perfect foundation
from which to build."
Aims include improving discipline and confidence while aiding
co-ordination and agility. It also promotes a healthier lifestyle
while increasing the numbers of young people becoming involved
in Diving.
Swimming teachers are able to deliver Flip n Fun courses,
after completing the required Flip n Fun Continuing Professional
Development module, and can be held at swimming pools without
diving boards as activities take place from the side of a
pool.
Children are motivated and rewarded through a series of Kellogg's
Flip n Fun awards divided into the two areas within Flip n
Fun - dry land skills and pool diving skills.
Literature, awards and CPD courses are now available to be
purchased while the official Flip n Fun launch will take place
on Thursday 19th July at the Queen Mother Centre, London at
10.45.
The launch will provide an ideal opportunity to learn more
and see examples of the new initiative in the presence of
Olympic Silver and World Championship Bronze medallists Peter
Waterfield and Leon Taylor as well as Junior World Champion
Blake Aldridge.
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