The national swimming framework, the Learn to Swim programme, is keeping participation numbers high among young women.
In addition, supportive coaching and inclusive environments are critical to keeping young women in sport, according to Paralympic medallist Toni Shaw.
The 22-year-old swimmer, who is balancing elite competition with university life and recovery from injury, says the pressures faced by young women during key life stages can often lead to drop-out without the right support systems in place.
Her experience reflects the approach taken by the Learn to Swim National Framework, delivered in partnership by Scottish Swimming and Scottish Water – vision is to create ‘Generation Swim’, a generation of confident, safer and competent swimmers, who will also get to experience the wider health and social benefits that swimming can offer.
Toni Shaw, is an ambassador for the National Learn to Swim Framework programme, said: “Lots of girls drop out at a young age, when everything starts to build up and it becomes harder to manage everything alongside sport.”
She added: “Having an understanding and supportive coach is a really big thing that keeps girls in sport, especially when you are dealing with exams and everything else going on in your life.”
There are around 82,000 children and more than 1,800 adults currently taking part in Learn to Swim lessons in pools across Scotland every week, with a clear focus on helping them to become safer, more confident and competent in water as well as creating positive experiences that encourage lifelong involvement in swimming.
For Shaw, that foundation was instrumental in shaping her own journey in the sport.
The Learn to Swim Framework is open to everyone regardless of age, background, ability or skill levels, with the partnership committed to creating an inclusive and supportive environment for all.
She said: “I’m so grateful for the teachers I had when I was young in the Learn to Swim programme because they made it enjoyable from the start.”
That emphasis on enjoyment and accessibility sits at the heart of the framework’s ambition to create Generation Swim, a generation of confident, capable and safer swimmers.
The programme also prioritises inclusivity, ensuring that children of all abilities can take part and progress at their own pace.
Nearly 2,800 children with disabilities are currently involved in Learn to Swim lessons, with 81 per cent of swimmers with a disability now participating in mainstream sessions alongside their peers, highlighting a shift towards more inclusive and supportive lesson environments across Scotland.
Shaw’s own experience reflects that inclusive ethos, having navigated her career after being born without her right arm fully formed.
She said: “Even if you don’t go on to compete, being safe and confident in the water is something that stays with you for life.”
Her journey began in the same way as thousands of others supported by the framework, when her parents enrolled her in lessons as a child.
She said: “I don’t think they expected it to become such a big part of my life, but it just grew from there.”
That pathway, from early participation through to elite performance, is a key part of the framework’s long-term vision for swimming in Scotland.
While Shaw has gone on to achieve success on the world stage, including Paralympic and World Championship medals, she is open about the challenges that remain.
She said: “I’m not quite back where I was and that has been difficult, but I’ve always said that if I still love the sport, I will keep going.”
Her perspective highlights the importance of sustained support throughout an athlete’s journey, not just at entry level.
With the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow approaching, Shaw remains focused on her recovery while continuing to champion the role of programmes like Learn to Swim in supporting the next generation.
The Learn to Swim framework continues to play a central role in that landscape, helping more young women stay active, build confidence and develop skills that extend far beyond the pool.
www.scottishswimming.com/learn-to-swim
