New scheme to offer free pool access for children

The year-long initiative aims to encourage children to gain confidence and enjoy the water

Free swimming sessions have been made available for children under the age of eight living in the south of the Isle of Man under a new initiative.

Community Splash is a scheme at Southern Swimming Pool which provides free access for children from reception up to Year 3 in the southern catchment area.

The year-long initiative aims to ease financial pressure on families while encouraging children to gain confidence and enjoy the water.

In 2023, the pool had been under threat of closure by the Department for Education, Sport and Culture due to a shortfall in regional subsidies before a plan was backed to continue operations under existing funding.

Under the scheme, children will be given free pass cards and would need to be accompanied by someone over the age of 16.

The free sessions are set to be offered to primary school children in the south

Laurence Vaughan-Williams, Chairman of the pool's board said he hoped it would not only help fill the pool, but also provide a "modest profit" as they would be accompanied by paying adults.

He said while "many children may not be gifted, or have that natural co-ordination", having access to the pool was a "gateway to a lifetime of swimming, enjoyment and all the health benefits that it brings".

Children who are eligible for the scheme need to attend Arbory, Ballasalla, Rushen, Scoill Phurt Le Moirrey, Victoria Road, and The Buchan primary schools.

The initiative, launched this weekend, will run until 31 August 2026 and levels of success would be assessed through attendance figures.

Funded by the Southern Authorities Healthcare Trust, Mr Vaughan-Williams said there was the potential for it to continue past the year.

He added that the pool, which has been running since the late 1970s, has seen "quite a number of people who have gone on to achieve excellent results in international competitions from having their start at that pool".