Image: ASA wants more priority given to swimming

The Amateur Swimming Association (ASA) has called for the sport to be given greater priority after new research found that one in three children leave primary school unable to swim.

Drowning is the third most common cause of accidental death in young people and the ASA is meeting with the government today (17 May) to stress the importance of learning to swim.

The new research was carried out in conjunction with Kellogg's and also found that nearly 40 per cent out of those children unable to swim had never been offered lessons at school.

It is expected that 200,000 children will now leave primary school this summer without being able to swim, which will amount to 2 million non-swimmers over the next decade.

The ASA and Kellogg's have presented the The 2012 School Swimming Census in the meeting with government, which contains a six-point School Swimming Manifesto.

David Sparkes, chief executive of the ASA, said: "Children love swimming and it's a great way to start them on the road to a healthy and active lifestyle.

"Swimming is the only subject on the national curriculum that can save your life so it's essential that government, schools and parents join us in taking action and break the cycle before we create a generation of non-swimmers unable to pass on this life-saving skill."

Bruce Learner, head of corporate responsibility at Kellogg's, added: "It's vital we safeguard the future of school swimming and take action today to ensure that swimming remains the UK's biggest participatory sport, enjoyed and supported by the whole nation."

Details: www.swimming.org

Image: John Wollwerth/shutterstock.com