Health, fitness and racquets club chain, David Lloyd Leisure (DLL), has agreed a partnership with the Amateur Swimming Association (ASA) designed to promote swimming and swimming lessons at the operator’s 56 clubs in the UK and Ireland.

Under the agreement, DLL will adopt the ASA National Plan for Teaching Swimming (NPTS) and ensure all its swimming teachers are qualified to at least ASA Level 2.

Teachers will be able to put swimmers through the ASA Awards scheme and joint ASA-DLL branding will appear on all marketing materials and swimming certificates.

The clubs will also promote SwimFit, the ASA initiative which brings gym-style programmes to the pool for adults wanting to use swimming as a means of keeping fit.

A further part of the deal will see swimmers on the British Swimming elite programme receiving a number of free passes to train at David Lloyd Leisure clubs.

DLL group swimming co-coordinator, Nuala Muir-Cochrane, said: “Both the ASA and DLL passionately believe it is crucial that children learn to swim at an early age.

“We are also committed together to help everybody, both adults and children, to achieve their full swimming potential.

“The combination of our own high quality facilities together with the ASA’s expertise and teaching experience, will help us deliver a consistent training programme to our members across all our clubs.”

Katie Brazier, commercial director of the ASA, said: “Swimming should be an integral part of a healthy lifestyle for everyone and this agreement provides 320,000 DLL members with access to the ASA’s swimming programme.

All David Lloyd Leisure clubs offer at least one 20-25m indoor pool, with many also offering a second outdoor pool and children’s splash pool. Details: www.davidlloydleisure.co.uk