CIMSPA Joins Forces With Black Swimming Association
CIMSPA has joined forces with the Black Swimming Association (BSA) to build a stronger, more inclusive workforce across the sport, physical activity, and aquatics sectors.
CIMSPA, the UK’s professional development body for sport and physical activity, has entered a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with BSA—an award-winning charity committed to water safety, drowning prevention, and equitable access to aquatics.
Together, they will promote professional recognition for aquatic professionals, support the accreditation of BSA’s training programmes, and expand access to careers in aquatics for underrepresented groups who don’t normally engage with aquatics.
The partnership also aims to ensure workforce training aligns with the needs of employers and communities—particularly those historically underserved.
“This partnership marks a significant step forward in shaping an aquatics and physical activity sector that truly reflects the communities it serves,” said BSA cofounder and chair, Danielle Obe.
“We are proud to be working alongside CIMSPA to drive this change and look forward to unlocking new pathways into the sector for individuals from all walks of life.”
Colin Huffen, Associate Director of Policy and Professional Services at CIMSPA said:
“We are delighted to have signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Black Swimming Association.
“As the professional body for the sport and physical activity sector workforce, we want to make our sector accessible for all, and this partnership will only help drive that ambition.
“We look forward to supporting the BSA and their work in engaging local communities to participate in aquatics, and potentially find a new career.”
This collaboration will also address pressing workforce shortages. According to Swim England, in 2023, almost 12,000 vacancies existed across the aquatics sector, highlighting that the sector was down by more than 15 per cent on its total workforce.
By combining CIMSPA’s development of professional standards with the BSA’s innovative programming and community engagement, the partnership will help attract, develop, and retain workforce talent from all communities.
In addition to accrediting training, the partnership will see both organisations work together on research and policy, with BSA insights contributing to reviews of national professional standards and deployment frameworks.
Together, CIMSPA and the BSA are committed to building a sector together, where water safety is a right, not a privilege—and where careers in sport and aquatics are truly accessible to all.
