Fusion Leisure has become the 100th swimming pool operator to partner with the Amateur Swimming Association (ASA) in order to raise standards in swimming lessons.

ASA partnership agreements provide leisure centres and swimming providers with a support package for their swimming programmes.

Fusion Leisure has signed a five-year partnership agreement that will see it implement the ASA's National Plan for Teaching Swimming (NPTS) until at least 2012.

The Plan will work alongside the Kellogg's ASA Awards Scheme, where participants gain award recognition for their achievements in the pool, which will benefit the 2,000 people that currently access swimming lessons each week at Fusion’s nine centres across London and Tunbridge Wells.

The ASA will also provide support to Fusion while it works towards Aquamark accreditation - the ASA's quality seal of approval for leisure providers.

"The Kellogg's ASA Awards and National Plan are unequalled in terms of quality and consistency," said Fusion Leisure regional operations manager Nick Parkin.

"We wouldn't consider any other programme as the structure the ASA provides is excellent and the support they offer is exceptional. I'm particularly pleased that our students now have a greater number of exit routes after learning to swim in order to maintain a healthy and active lifestyle.

"From a commercial perspective, these initiatives promote retention through all stages of the swimming programme and this includes the teachers too with the Continued Professional Development. Overall, working with the ASA was an easy choice and their passion and new ideas for swimming paves the way for exciting times ahead." Details: www.swimming.org or www.fusion-lifestyle.com