SWIMMERS in Knutsford say they can count on support from neighbouring clubs as they campaign to save a programme that develops the skills of children.

They will work together trying to persuade Everybody Sport and Recreation, which manages the pool in town on behalf of Cheshire East Council, to reconsider a policy change they feel puts their future in doubt.

So far, their concern appears not to have been heard.

“This feels a bit like David meets Goliath,” said Richard Baldry, Knutsford Vikings’ chairman.

“But after finding out other clubs in the borough have been treated the same way, our resolve has hardened.

“We feel strongly that the potential impact on us, and in turn our sport, is extremely serious.”

Everybody Sport have proposed their own staff will run all Learn to Swim schemes from next April.

In a letter to Vikings last month, they said they needed to make more money to ‘ensure survival’.

They also requested clubs like Vikings stop signing up newcomers to their own classes straightaway.

In return the club, as part of a new agreement that ring-fences time in the water for their swimmers, will pay less to hire it.

Everybody, a charitable trust must spend profits they make on improving their services, have also promised to recommend to youngsters they should join a local club after reaching the end of their seven-stage scheme.

“They can’t guarantee that,” said Baldry.

“As children get older, they are tempted by other distractions.

“Our experience is they’re more likely to stay on as members if they’ve been swimming with us for longer.”

At the moment, a combination of volunteers and paid coaches deliver tailored sessions on Vikings’ behalf to help beginners transition smoothly to competitive swimming.

Everybody’s scheme will not have the same aim.

“The trust have told us they will feed clubs with swimmers from level eight onwards who wish to become competitive swimmers,” said a council spokesman on Monday.

“Most clubs use their pool time for competitive swimming and elite training, while there are others that place greater emphasis on lessons for which they charge a fee.

“The national governing body, the Amateur Swimming Association, are fully aware of the proposed changes and are working with both the trust and clubs to support a smooth transition.”

Knutsford’s current user agreement expires at the end of this month.

If they do not sign the new one, they risk forfeiting exclusive time in the pool for members.

Baldry said: “We feel there is room to reach a compromise and, at the very least, parents should have a choice.”