Driving Up Fitness Levels

Increasing numbers of children and young people across the Kingdom are getting fit.

Fife Sports and Leisure Trust says more than 62, 000 people have taken advantage of a free swim this summer - that's up by more than 6% on last year.

The number of under 16s visiting leisure centres is also up by more than 11%.

Ed Watson, chief executive for Fife Sports and Leisure Trust, said: 

"The ability to engage withchildren and young people and encourage them to get more active is a key objective for the Trust. We are encouraged that not only has general use of our facilities by young people increased, but 
that we saw such a good response to the free swimming offer over the summer.

"Staff in all our centres work had to deliver a range of programmes and initiatives to suit all ages and abilities – we offer some of the best qualified instructors and affordable activities which give families a fantastic choice of sports and physical activities, encouraging a lifelong interest in staying active."

Cllr Mark Hood, Executive Committee Member said: 

"We're committed to helping children and young people access sporting and physical activity opportunities. I'm delighted that the council-funded free swim initiative has been so popular again this year. An average of over 9,500 children 
a week took advantage of the offer during the summer holidays. This undoubtedly contributes towards improving their health and wellbeing and I hope it encourages many to visit their local swimming pool more regularly."