GB diving star Ben Swain believes Sheffield's new leisure scheme will be the springboard to get more youngsters into aquatic sports and support the next generation of Olympians.
London 2012 hopeful Ben, who trains at Ponds Forge International Sports Centre, has given the thumbs up to Sheffield International Venues' (SIV) lifeCARD, which offers discounts on many of the activities across its 19 leisure and entertainment facilities.
Ben, who is a member of the City of Sheffield Diving Squad based at Ponds Forge, hopes the card will help more people to become more active and has become a part of the initiative himself.
He said: "The lifeCARD is a fantastic idea and is a great way of encouraging more people to get involved in different activities across the city, giving them access to a wider range of sport, fitness and leisure activities."
"The development of diving is important help the next generation of Olympic stars and if this scheme encourages more people to take up the sport through the lessons scheme at Ponds Forge then it will open up more opportunities for more people."
More than 6,000 people who are currently on the diving and swimming lessons scheme across SIV are already making the most of the benefits the card brings.
lifeCARD holders receive a 20 per cent discount on leisure activities at SIV facilities as well as special offers including free lane swims, plus advance bookings on major events such as aquatics events at Ponds Forge.
They will also receive discounts from companies throughout the city, including Stagecoach Supertram and city hotels.
SIV operates venues including Ponds Forge, the English Institute of Sport - Sheffield (EIS Sheffield), iceSheffield, Graves Tennis and Leisure Centre, Concord Sports Centre and Hillsborough Centre.
lifeCARDs are available at venue receptions or online at an introductory rate of £3 until December 31. After this time, the cost will be £5 for adults and £3 for juniors (aged 17 and under).
For more information about the lifeCARD, visit www.sheffieldlifecard.co.uk.
