SCUBAHUB
A win for the pools
SPORT ENGLAND HAS ALLOCATED £ 60.5m to swimming pools in 260 local authorities as part of its drive to reduce energy costs and support essential community resources .
A total of 325 swimming pools and leisure centres have now received grants ranging from £ 3,000 to almost £ 1m to fund energy efficiency projects such as solar panels , pool covers and improved insulation .
Allocated as phase two of the Swimming Pool Support Fund , the Sport England grants are intended to both help keep pools
Joe Westnedge
Meet your new University Coordinator
BSAC HAS WELCOMED A NEW University Coordinator to the team , with Yorkshire-based member Joe Westnedge stepping into the role .
A current member of Sheffield University SAC , Joe , has replaced outgoing University Coordinator Yasmine Thorn . Working as part of BSAC ’ s University Project group , the aim of the University Coordinator role is to ensure the university club network and its
open in the face of financial challenges , and longer-term projects to help reduce future energy bills .
Sport England ’ s Lisa Dodd-Mayne said that many swimming pools and leisure centres had faced a real and significant threat to their survival this year .
BSAC CEO Mary Tetley said the Sport England grants represents good news for local communities . “ We welcome Sport England ’ s latest investment in creating a sustainable future for our pools and leisure centres ,” Mary said .
“ These facilities are essential in helping communities keep active . And as a resource for sporting clubs such as BSAC , they enable people to engage and get active in a wide range of activities .”
Full details can be viewed at www . sportengland . org
student members get the support they need . As a degree apprentice who also has experience of the wider BSAC club network , Joe is well-placed to rise to the opportunities and challenges of his new role .
The 22-year-old joined BSAC in 2021 as a trainee Ocean Diver during his first year at Sheffield University , progressing to Dive Leader within two years before qualifying as an Open Water Instructor in 2023 . As well as being a university branch member , Joe is a member of two ordinary BSAC clubs , South Bay Scuba and North East Derbyshire SAC . He is also a volunteer within the Yorkshire Regional Team .
With BSAC university clubs facing challenges such as three-year membership cycles , limited instructor resources and training time constraints , Joe said he was looking forward to becoming the ‘ go-to ’ for clubs that need extra support .
“ Thanks to the work of the previous University Coordinator , Yasmine , I have a baseline for what can be achieved . My focus now will be working with the regional teams to help university clubs build themselves , make connections and get out diving .”
Joe said that one of the first things he plans to do in his new BSAC role is get out on the road and visit as many university branches as he can .
For more information on how BSAC ’ s new University Coordinator can help your uni club , email Joe at unicoordinator @ bsac . com
Make a date for the NW Dive Fest
DIVERS LOOKING TO JOIN THIS YEAR ’ S NW Dive Fest at Capernwray still have time to ensure the date is in their diary . Tickets for the event , to be held on
Friday , 27 September at the inland dive site in Carnforth , Lancashire , will be available to buy on the day . Each ticket costs £ 16 and gives attendees all-day access to the site as well as a host of NW Dive Fest activities .
Anyone planning on attending the event can also be in with a chance of winning six free air fills by registering in advance online at bsac . com / NWdivefest
Organised by the North West Regional Team and supported by BSAC , the festival is open to all BSAC members and divers from other agencies . As well as the chance to dive , here are just some of the festival activities on offer :
■ An underwater photography competition
■ Raffle and a treasure hunt
■ Scooter and CCR try dives ( book online at bsac . com / nwdivefesttrytech
■ Boost your training with a training day run by the Yorkshire Regional Team - www . bsac . com / nwdivefestdtd /
■ Take part in the BSAC Underwater Surveyor course - bsac . com / nwdivefestus /
Sponsors of the NW Dive Fest include Apeks , Northern Diver , AP Diving , Fourth Element , Dive Manchester and the NW Underwater Police Search team . The day will also be compered by DJ Coshe . All proceeds raised from the event will go to North West Air Ambulance .
For further information on the NW Dive Fest 2024 , contact Stephen Dorricott – northwest . coach @ bsac . com