About Us
Our club is the oldest amateur swimming club in Glasgow. Founded in 1892 it took the name Kingston from the area just south of the river Clyde near where the Kingston Car Wash used to be! We kept our name when we moved to Govanhill Baths in Calder Street. From April 2001 we moved to our current location at Castlemilk Pool. The club temporarily relocated to Gorbals Leisure Centre but is back at Castlemilk Pool now that it has been refurbished.We train five days a week across Castlemilk Pool, Gorbals Pool, Dollan Aquacentre and Clydesdale Hockey Club. We train children from school age right through to adulthood with additional sessions for our competitive swimers.We train hard but there is also a fun element and the children are keen to participate in competitions. Over the last few years the club has found some measure of success in the Clyde Coast Leagues, District and National competitions and are well known for being the loudest club at the swim meets we attend, due largely to the support of parents and families. This is something we are keen to maintain and ask all parents to participate as often as possible.
Swimming as a sport provides children with many obvious health benefits. The positive role sport plays in the community is well documented, and is embodied in the following extract from Sport Scotland, the national agency for sport in Scotland:
“The impact of sport and physical activity on children and young people can be extremely positive, providing an opportunity for personal and social development and a positive alternative to crime, drugs and alcohol abuse. Naturally, it improves health and fitness; but it can also boost confidence and self esteem, teach leadership, teamwork and social skills that can be used in all aspects of life. Sport also offers valuable lessons on how to win and how to lose. It teaches the benefits of hard work and how to treat others with respect.”
We at the sharp end can see this in practice, and believe that these positive benefits come primarily from within a club atmosphere.
We provide such an atmosphere, which allows children and young adults the opportunity to develop and hone these skills. We believe that the structure of our club, with the many parent volunteers giving their time freely, shows a commitment and enthusiasm, which rubs off on the young. It creates a friendly family atmosphere and allows the children to relax and concentrate on the tasks in hand. Making friends and being part of a team gives them confidence and allows them to develop and improve. This gives our members the motivation to take an active role in swimming.
