Four-time Olympic medallist Rebecca Adlington is set to open a ew swimming facility in her hometown to teach and inspire the next generation.

The state-of-the-art swim! Mansfield facility at Portland Retail Park, Mansfield, close to where Rebecca herself grew up, will cater for families with children aged up to 11 and is on track to open on Saturday, 5th February.

The centre is designed to offer unique swimming journeys for both babies and children, with experienced coaches, online progress tracking, fun lessons and family-friendly modern facilities.

Free introduction lessons will be available at swim! Mansfield from Saturday, 5th February, with official lessons starting on Monday, 14th February.

Adlington is a decorated athlete with a number of medals and accolades to her name and her connection to Mansfield makes the opening of a new swim centre in the area an addition to her personal achievements.

The centre provides an opportunity for children in Mansfield and the surrounding areas to learn a lifeskill in swimming, as well as other transferable skills that can help in all aspects of a child’s development, such as confidence, determination, resilience, and social skills.

Rebecca, co-founder of Sporting House, a group of Olympian-led brands, which includes swim!, SwimStars and Beth Tweddle Gymnastics, has dedicated the last 15 years to ensuring children from all backgrounds are given the opportunity to learn to swim.

She said: “As schools and leisure facilities closed and the pandemic left children with less spaces to get active, we needed to take action and give kids the chance to get moving, socialise with others and hopefully discover a new hobby.

“Swimming is also an essential lifesaving skill and we are determined to break down barriers, whether that be a lack of facilities, teachers or lesson availability, to make sure swimming is accessible for all children.

“With the opening of the new Mansfield centre, children will not only learn to swim, but will gain a whole host of transferable skills sure to benefit them as they grow up.

“It has been a joy to watch a new swim facility take shape in my hometown, and I hope it encourages local children to learn to love the water as much as I do.”

The Mansfield centre is offering free swim introduction sessions once it is open. To register your interest and book your child’s free session, visit www.swim.co.uk/choose-intro-type