By Tom Degun

June 18 - David Sparkes, chief executive of the Amateur Swimming Association (ASA), has expressed his disappointment the Government has dropped free swimming for under-16s and over-60s because they claim it does not offer value for money.



The decision to scrap what was supposed to be one of the key legacies of London 2012 hosting the Olympics and Paralympics will save £5 million ($7 million) as part of a total saving of £40 million ($59 million) from the Free Swimming Programme funding across Government.

Sparkes said: "While we are disappointed to learn that Free Swimming will stop shortly, we recognise that in the current economic climate the Government needs to prioritise its spending and in that regard we understand the decision.

"Free Swimming has brought many new people to swimming, has helped to drive up significantly attendances in pools and has made an impact to the activity target.

"We will now work with Local Authorities, Primary Care Trusts and pool operators to see how we retain these new customers and encourage more people to swim.

"We have learnt a lot from the Free Swimming initiative and we will now be seeking urgent meetings with both Sport England and the Department of Health to see how we can build on the legacy from Free Swimming to continue to grow swimming and encourage more people to be more active."

Figures released today by the ASA claimed that swimming remains England's most popular sport with nearly 3.26 million people getting in the pool on a regular basis.

The number of people in England swimming once a week has increased by nearly 40,000 from the last quarter according to Sport England’s Active People survey.

Sparkes said: "Swimming remains the number one participation sport and also remains the one activity people will consider as they step up their activity levels.

"Swimming can and will continue to work with government to ensure that there is a lasting legacy from this programme and we contribute significantly towards the target of 1,000,000 more people more active in sport as a legacy from the Olympic and Paralympic Games."

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