Vital funding helps Rotherham Metro Water Polo club survive turbulent times

A WATER polo club is planning for better times in the pool thanks to a vital cash injection.

Rotherham Metro applied for the grant from the Swimathon Foundation’s second Covid-19 Relief Fund to mitigate loss of income while pools are closed.

Due to the coronavirus outbreak, membership fees were suspended and the club lost out on several planned fund-raising initiatives. 

The grant means the club will be able to undergo a much-needed recruitment drive that was originally planned at the start of 2020.

 

Metro welfare officer Karen Linney said: “This funding means such a lot to our club. 

“Lockdown has reduced our membership and receiving this support to attract new members will help us to secure our long term future.”

Founded in 1989, Metro has members from a wide cross-section of the local community and caters for all levels of players.

It was the home club for three of the Team GB squad at the 2012 Olympics. 

Karen added: “Watching young players come to the trial sessions we have run previously, and absolutely loving it, is so rewarding, and now we can run more of these sessions.

“We have used online contact and fitness sessions during lockdown but replicating our normal training experience has not been possible when we are a contact team sport. 

“We are so looking forward to pools reopening, seeing everyone back at training and particularly welcoming some new faces in the recruitment drive that Swimathon funding has helped us to pay for through this grant.” 

Swimathon Foundation has awarded grants to 148 swimming and aquatic clubs, schools and organisations from its 2021 Covid-19 Relief Fund. The foundation launched its first Fund in May 2020 in response to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the swimming community across Britain.

Anthony Kendall OBE, chair of Swimathon Foundation, said: “In these difficult times for all swimming organisations, Swimathon Foundation has been determined to play its part in supporting those smaller, local groups that are the foundation of swimming participation throughout the UK.

“We have been taken aback by the number of people who need help during these unprecedented times and that is why we have increased our overall donation to £50,000. 

“Swimming is a vital community activity and we are proud to play our part. Hopefully this funding means Rotherham Metro Water Polo club can continue their great work.”

For more information about the Swimathon Foundation visit www.swimathonfoundation.org

 

Related topics: