Cheltenham Swimming and Water Polo Club and Bournside School have always enjoyed a close relationship.

And that special relationship has been reinforced by an initiative which has seen the two organisations working hand in hand over the past few weeks.

It’s an initiative that has seen about 30 pupils from Bournside enjoy three weeks of free professional swimming training – one session a week – courtesy of Cheltenham Swimming and Water Polo Club and supported by two local businesses.

The pupils have, in turn, helped to pilot the club’s pool access programme, which has been driven by club volunteer Sally Walker, and judging by some of the youngsters’ comments it’s been a huge success.

Connie Burton, of year 8 at Bournside, said: “I really enjoyed attending Cheltenham Swimming and Water Polo Club. Before I did the three-day trial I was really nervous because I hadn’t been swimming in ages, but they challenged me and made me feel like a great swimmer again.

“The coaches were so lovely, they spotted our weaknesses and helped us. Thanks to them I had a great time and want to swim a lot more. So thank you very much.”

Toby Brierley, also of year 8, said: “I felt the swimming really helped me improve. It was an amazing experience and I loved all of it. I am thankful for all the people that organised it.

“This really got me back into swimming and I am definitely going to continue swimming and maybe lifeguarding as well. I just want to thank all who made it possible and organised the sessions.”

Max Younge, of year 7, said: “Swimming was really fun because everyone had a challenge. Mine was to experience a new sport – water polo. I also tried a new stroke that I have heard of but never done before – butterfly.”

The hope is that these youngsters and many more will indeed become regular swimmers at the club and Ollie Winterbottom, head of PE at Bournside, has been equally impressed with the three-week initiative.

“This programme has allowed pupils at Bournside School to re-engage with swimming while also experiencing new and exciting elements such as water polo,” he said.

“The improvement in the quality of their swimming in such a short space of time is a testament to the quality of coaching at Cheltenham Swimming and Water Polo Club.

“Each pupil who attended enjoyed every moment of their swimming training and relished learning new strokes and sports.

“Sal Walker should be commended for all the effort she has put in to making this programme a reality and allowing those who might have become disengaged with swimming in the past to find a route back into a sport that offers so much from social swimming to competitive swimming, and team interaction in water polo to individuals just using swimming to keep fit and healthy.

“There really is a place for everyone in Cheltenham Swimming and Water Polo Club and through this three-week programme the club have made that clear to the pupils of Bournside.

“Off the back of it many of the students now want to try competitive swimming, realising they are good enough to compete and numerous others have found their love for the activity again.

“A big thanks must go to those who sponsored the events as without them the programme would not be where it is now – Arden House Dental and Cosmetic Clinic and The Building Maintenance Company UK Ltd generously donated to allow the school to have access to the pool and coaches free of charge, so removing a barrier to enable them to swim again.

“As this programme moves from its infancy and creates its legacy I would encourage any school given the opportunity we have been given to take it up as it has provided the group of children who engaged with it so much.”

The final session of the three-week programme was even more special for the Bournside youngsters because they got to meet Great Britain’s 2012 Olympic water polo star Rob Parker.

Parker was his country’s top goalscorer at the London Games with eight and he was a very appropriate special guest because as well as learning his sport with Cheltenham Swimming and Water Polo Club he is also a former Bournside pupil.

Another top name who ticks both those boxes – Cheltenham Swimming and Water Polo Club and Bournside School – is celebrated diver Leon Taylor, who won a silver medal at the 2004 Olympics in the 10m synchronised diving.

And there are others too including Charlie Brogan (British male water polo player 2019, Britain under-19s); Amy Berry (water polo captain of England Schools and under-19 GB), and ex-Bournside head boy Matt Witcombe (triathlete and water polo national champion).