Swimming: Rutherglen swimmer Melissa scoops award

Aug 4 2010 by Carla Callaghan, Rutherglen Reformer

Rutherglen swimmer Melissa scoops award

A YOUNG swimmer from Rutherglen has scooped herself a top award.

Melissa Salveta (11), is a member of JMG Swim and Rescue School and has just secured the Amateur Swimming Association Swimfit five mile award.

Melissa, who is a primary seven pupil at St Anthony’s and about to start first year at Trinity High - has been a member of the swimming school for two years.

And the talented swimmer says she owes her success to her papa who taught her to swim at an early age.

Delighted with her latest achievement, Melissa has worked very hard to gain the prestigious Swimfit certificate.

Speaking to The Reformer, Melissa said: “I was really happy when I got the award. I had to swim about 400 lengths over a few weeks.

She added: “I have already got my one mile award and then started doing lifesaving and went on to get my five mile award.”

The school, which has been running for two years, provides pupils with swimming lessons and also rescue courses which teach personal survival and water safety, including lifesaving, pool lifeguarding and first aid.

Jim McGuinness, who runs the school, is extremely proud of Melissa’s achievements and praised his pupil.

He said: “It was a great achievement for someone so young to do this award.”

Jim added: “ It is from the Swimfit award National Teachers Plan and is held in fairly high regard.

“We do all of the National Swim Teachers Plan Awards from beginners to advanced level.”

JMG Swim and Rescue School is held on Tuesday evenings from 6.30pm until 9.30pm at Holyrood Secondary, 100 Dixon Road.

The school will start back on Tuesday August 24 and there are spaces available for both adults and children. For more information on the school or classes, please telephone Jim on 01698322002 or visit the JMG Swim and Rescue School website by logging onto www.JMGSwimandRescueSchool.co.uk