Swim England<\/strong> chief executive Jane Nickerson<\/strong> says aquatic sports are “fighting for survival” after the Government announced a \u00a3300million (400million US dollars) winter package for sports which have lost spectator income because of Covid-19.<\/p>\n

The funding, which will largely be composed of loans, will be shared among 11 sports – from national governing bodies through to clubs – that will be most severely impacted over the winter as a result of the ongoing impact of coronavirus restrictions.<\/p>\n

Rugby union tops the list with an injection of \u00a3135million (180million US dollars) followed by horse racing (\u00a340million) through to greyhound racing which is being offered \u00a31million (1.38million US dollars).<\/p>\n

$\"Jane$
Photo Courtesy: Jane Nickerson Twitter<\/p><\/div>\n
While Nickerson welcomed the support, she reiterated her call for investment in activities not benefiting from the fund, saying:<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s encouraging to see support being provided for those organisations who have lost their major spectator income in order to protect their immediate futures over the winter period.<\/p>\n
\u201cNow what I would like to see is any further Government investment focused on sports that have missed out on this package but have also been severely impacted by coronavirus restrictions.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur work as a national governing body is vast but with around 80 per cent of our income self-generated, we have seen a huge reduction in our finances due to the pandemic.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe grassroots of our sport, including the 1,000-plus aquatic clubs across England, also need support having lost the majority of their income \u2013 including valuable income from their own events since March.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere is no doubt that we are fighting for survival, both as an organisation and a sector, and therefore it would have been a lifeline to have been part of the announcement.”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
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Photo Courtesy: Swim England Twitter<\/p><\/div>\n
Nickerson added:<\/p>\n
\u201cWhile we may not be classed as a major spectator sport, swimming is one of the biggest participation sports with 14 million adults swimming in 2019.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe physical and mental health benefits of aquatic activity are worth more than \u00a3357 million a year to the NHS and social care system alone.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s clear that swimming and aquatic exercise is vitally important to millions and can help people live longer, better and happier lives.<\/p>\n
\u201cIncreased investment is necessary to ensure this remains the case.<\/p>\n
“Without pools, without clubs, without our sport, the nation\u2019s long-term health is at risk, children will not learn a vital life skill and talented athletes in all our aquatic disciplines will not have the opportunity to reach their potential.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
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