Coca-Cola boosts coaches to get an expected 22,000 people swimming

Coca-Cola Great Britain is supporting the training of over 120 new swimming teachers and coaches as part of its commitment to get people active on the road to 2012.

The announcement follows on from the success of the company’s ‘Schweppes Abbey Well’ ‘Schwim Free’ campaign. The scheme enables consumers to enjoy a free swim by exchanging promotional ‘Schweppes Abbey Well’ bottle tops at participating pools in England, Scotland and Wales. In the first year over 47,000 swims were redeemed.

When the scheme was launched in March 2009, Coca-Cola committed to make a donation to projects to get Britain swimming, and has now donated £50,000 to The Swimming Trust (TST). The money will be used for a Teacher Coach Education Grant Fund offering training opportunities for volunteers within Swimming, Diving, Synchronised Swimming and Water Polo clubs across the UK.

On average a swimming teacher provides 288 hours of instruction per year giving a quality, structured swimming experience to around 190 people. So this donation will see some 22,000 people learning to swim and participating regularly as result of Coca-Cola’s funding.

Jon Woods, Country Manager, Coca-Cola UK and Ireland said: “We’re delighted to donate this money to help even more people get active on the road to 2012. Almost 50,000 took part in the first year of the scheme and we hope this year will be even bigger and better with 440 pools signed up, including 90 across London.”

Dennis Yeoman Chairman of The Swimming Trust said: “With the help of Schweppes Abbey Well’s ‘Getting Britain Sch…wimming’ campaign The Trust will be able to increase the number of quality trained swimming teachers and coaches, giving more people the opportunity to learn a fundamental life skill that will help them stay active throughout their lives.”

Coca-Cola Great Britain launched ‘Schweppes Abbey Well’, a new natural mineral water for British consumers, following its acquisition of the ‘Abbey Well’ water source in November 2008.

The Coca-Cola Company is a Worldwide Partner of the International Olympic Committee and partner of the London 2012 Olympic Games. With over 80 years experience working with the International Olympic Movement, The Coca-Cola Company has a strong commitment to the Olympic values and is proud to be supporting London 2012.