Tiger Sharks swimming club near Swindon to close after 50 years
The Tiger Sharks swimming club near Swindon is set to close after 50 years due to financial pressures.
The Full Story
A plain summary built from the channels that reported this story.
A swimming club near Swindon that has been running for more than 50 years and produced Olympians is to close. The Tiger Sharks Swimming Club, founded in 1975, has 193 members aged from 4 to 77. Its directors said the club is under sustained financial pressure and is no longer viable. Head coach Rich Smith said the closure means losing his job and livelihood, but also the loss of a place where swimmers could enjoy the sport and be part of a team. The club's swimmers will be taken on by Swindon ASC, which has stepped in to offer places. Former swimmer Jen, whose cousin Grant Turner is an ex-Olympic swimmer who came through the club, described the closure as a real loss to the community. The club's directors sent a letter to parents explaining that without fundamental change the club could become insolvent, and as directors they could not allow that to happen.
On screen
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Key Claims
Claims reported during this story's coverage, mapped by channel. Ordered by how many channels carried each claim.
| Claim | ITV |
|---|---|
| Swindon ASC will take over the majority of the swimmers. | |
| The club has 193 swimmers ranging in age from 4 to 77. | |
| Tiger Sharks Swimming Club was founded in 1975 and is closing after more than 50 years. |
Channel Perspectives
What each channel focused on, with key quotes.
The report focused on the emotional impact of the closure on the community, featuring interviews with the head coach, a former swimmer, and a current young swimmer. It highlighted the club's history of training Olympians and the positive outcome that most swimmers will have a new club to join. The tone was sympathetic and nostalgic, emphasizing the club's role as a family.
- “It's really disappointing news. Not only did I swim here myself but my cousin Grant Turner, ex-Olympic swimmer, brought and bred through this club and it's a real loss to the community.”
- “For me personally it's my job, it's my livelihood and things but for the swimmers it's their enjoyment, where they come and meet their friends and where they compete as a team and do what they love to do really.”
- “The club is under sustained financial pressure and without fundamental change the club could become insolvent and as directors we simply couldn't allow this to happen.”
Broadcast Timeline
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