Aquaterra is delighted to announce that the inaugural Mark Foster Swimming Academy Swim Camp at Holloway School in Islington was a roaring success with 45 young club level swimmers attending over three days during the February half term. The prestigious Mark Foster Swimming Academy is run by the highly respected Mark Foster, a former butterfly and freestyle Commonwealth, European and World Champion swimmer, and a team of national/international level coaches in swimming and land based training.

The Academy targeted swimmers aged between 12 and 17 in Islington, with Aquaterra sponsoring four local talented athletes from the Anaconda Swimming Club, enabling them to benefit from this exciting opportunity.

Mark Foster said: "The Mark Foster Swimming Academy had a very successful first swim camp in Islington. I thoroughly enjoyed my time with the bright stars of the future. We hope all the children who took part had as much fun as we did and took away key skills from the sport".

Denise Davy, Aquaterra Manager for Holloway School out of hours sports facilities, said: “Sponsoring talented young Islington swimmers to attend the swim camp was an excellent way for us to help bring the benefits of health and fitness to the communities we work with. We’ve been delighted to have had the opportunity to work with a sportsman of Mark Foster’s calibre.”

Aquaterra has also announced the launch of a programme of specialist sports performance sessions at Finsbury Leisure Centre on Monday 11th February. The programme enables residents, city workers and Islington's young people to take advantage of top-notch pay & play coaching sessions and sport-focused conditioning training. 

 The adult programme will offer sports development support for running, racket sports, boxing, football, cycling, and strength, agility & speed training; helping participants to achieve their sports goals. For example, 'Fit to Run' will include a series of strength and conditioning exercises to improve running technique, re-balance muscles and reduce injury risk, and  'Football Fitness' will deliver endurance and skills training specifically designed to help participants get the edge in games.

 The junior programme will include boxing sessions for young people aged 8-16 years, enabling them to build correct boxing techniques, fitness and conditioning through a non-contact, coach-led session. In addition, the 'Monday Motivation Girls' Club' will offer sports, dance and other fun activities for young women aged 11-19 years in partnership with GFS Platform, EC1 Sports and Access to Sports.

 Sessions will incorporate specialised equipment in a refurbished air-conditioned Training Zone and will be delivered by qualified sports coaches and instructors.

 Sessions are suitable for both beginners and those more experienced, unless otherwise specified. Participants can just turn up and pay on the day.

 Clubs, teams and groups can also choose bespoke training options, which are available on request. 

Antony Kildare, Chief Executive of Aquaterra, said: "As a registered charity, Aquaterra is committed to and passionate about enriching and enhancing the lives of the communities we work within. A targeted, specialised sports programme is an excellent platform to showcase the benefits of health and fitness to residents, workers and young people in Islington."

Aquaterra works in partnership with Islington Council and Bath & North East Somerset Council as well as NHS trusts, local health professionals, housing associations, other not-for-profit organisations, to manage an array of sports and leisure centres and facilitates programmes, classes and tuition in order to deliver the benefits and enjoyment to be had from participating in physical activity.