GOGA in Fife

The GOGA in Fife programme, supported by Spirit of 2012, is committed to education and training as well as encouraging inactive individuals with physical, sensory or learning disabilities to become involved in inclusive active recreation.

Throughout the life of GOGA in Fife there are planned opportunities for teachers, coaches, volunteers and peer mentor volunteers to attend training opportunities supported by GOGA. The most recent opportunity was a Scottish Swimming Inclusive Swimming course tutored by Heather Lowden and Richard Brickley of Scottish Disability Sport at the Michael Woods Sports & Leisure Centre on Wednesday 9th January with support from Fife Sports and Leisure Trust.

Scottish Disability Sport identified the three core activities of walking, adapted cycling and recreational swimming for the three Scottish GOGA projects in Fife, Forth Valley and Grampian. Working with local and national partners in each of the three core activities, GOGA in Fife has ensured there is a regular programme of training for all those involved with GOGA in Fife. Fife Sports and Leisure Trust offers a comprehensive programme of inclusive learn to swim opportunities and the most recent Inclusive Swimming Course targeted 25 of the teachers who deliver lessons across Fife inclusively.

GOGA in Fife’s swimming local partner is Fife Sports and Leisure Trust and national partners are Scottish Swimming and Scottish Disability Sport. The four hour course involved over two hours of theory plus an hour of working in the pool with learners with additional support needs from Rimbleton Primary, Balwearie HS and the Wednesday adult improvers session in Glenrothes. The FSLT teachers had the opportunity to work with over 40 learners of all ages with additional support needs across seven different stations. The feedback from participants and teachers was very positive.

A well trained, well prepared and committed workforce will help to ensure that young learners of all abilities are offered the opportunity to learn inclusively at all stages of their involvement in swimming. Swimming is for everyone and is for life. GOGA in Fife plus local and national partners are committed to offering all those involved in swimming delivery appropriate training throughout the life of the GOGA movement in Fife.