Swim Ireland has taken up the challenge of creating a mass participation headline event with the formal launch of its inaugural, all-Ireland ‘Swim for a Mile Challenge 2014’.
The idea was presented at this year’s Sport for Business 2020 event and has become reality through victory in the Coca Cola Thank You Fund and support from the Irish Sports Council. The former prize of €25,000 was critical in bringing the project to life.
The event itself will take place in five locations around the country – Cork, Limerick, Galway, Bangor and Dublin’s National Aquatic Centre – between March 31st and April 4th.
It will be supported by a national campaign where people can avail of a free training programme, advice and motivation with details available through www.swimforamile.com.
“This is a great initiative from Swim Ireland and a great way to get people swimming,” said Leo Varadkar, Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport at yesterday’s launch. “Everyone should have an opportunity to take part in sport or physical activity, and swimming is one of the best forms of exercise.”
The campaign will be boosted by the media support of Today FM whose Last Word Presenter Matt Cooper (above) will be taking part and encouraging listeners to join him.
“This is my 2014 challenge,” said Cooper. “I’m going to learn how to swim properly and train so that I can swim a mile in any session without collapsing.”
My children have been taught properly and are much stronger swimmers than me as a result. I can see the difference proper technique can make and committing to this event publicly will ensure that I do it, I hope! I’m really looking forward to the challenge and to working with Last Word listeners so we can all achieve it.”
Double Olympian and European Medallist Melanie Nocher is helping Swim Ireland to raise the profile of the Challenge, the first of its kind to take place on an all-Ireland basis. She will be on hand to give advice and guidance to the public for the duration of the project.
“Swimming is a unique sport in which people of all abilities and ages can get involved so Swim Irelands Challenge is the perfect platform to show this.,” she said. “I am excited about this initiative and the impact it’s going to have in terms of growing the sport and encouraging as many people to experience the benefits of swimming.”
Speaking at the launch of the event in Dublin yesterday Erica Roseingrave, Public Affairs and Communications Manager, Coca-Cola HBC Ireland, said “The Coca-Cola Thank You Fund was developed to lend financial support to groups with great ideas encouraging people to lead healthy and active lifestyles.”
“Swim Ireland and its Swim for a Mile Challenge was such a worthy winner and now anyone who is interested can join in and take part. The team at Swim Ireland have put together a training schedule that is relevant even to a novice swimmer so there will be no excuses for anyone not to engage and participate next year.”
