A new partnership has been launched in a bid to ensure residents across the London Borough of Newham are handed the best opportunity to participate in swimming after the 2012 Olympics.

Newham Aquatics has been unveiled by Newham Council, which will work alongside Newham Swimming Club, the University of East London, London Swimming and the council's leisure operator Greenwich Leisure (GLL). A swimming manager is set to be appointed to enable Newham Aquatics to act on the behalf of residents to secure access to the best existing and future swimming facilities, including the 2012 Aquatics Centre.

The Olympic Park Legacy Company, (OPLC), which will manage the Aquatics Centre after the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, has backed the formation of the new partnership as part of efforts to increase participation. Sir Robin Wales, mayor of Newham, said: "Our partners' combined experience, along with support from the Olympic Park Legacy Company, means Newham Aquatics has the necessary expertise to see through its aims.

"Bricks and mortar by themselves will not create a legacy for our residents. But ensuring everyone can access these wonderful new facilities, as well as our existing four leisure centres, is a key aspect of our aim to create a meaningful legacy." OLPC chief executive Andrew Altman added: "We want the Aquatics Centre to be a truly inspiring facility for the people living around it. Community use is at the heart of our plans and Newham Aquatics will be a great way to increase participation in swimming and other aquatics activities in the run up to the 2012 Games."