Danish school hopes to emulate Plymouth College sports programme

Published: 27 February, 2013

Staff from a school in Denmark have visited Plymouth College to gain some insight into running an elite sports programme.  Vestervangskolen in Esbjerg, Denmark, has been awarded elite sport status with swimming as one of its target sports. 

The Danish school has an exchange programme with West Exe Technology College who organised the visit to the UK.  After hearing about the success of the Plymouth College/Plymouth Leander elite programme, which sees world swimmers such as Olympic gold medallist Ruta Meilutyte combine her training with her studies, the Danish teachers were keen to find out more. 

As well as visiting the Life Centre, the team spent an hour picking the brains of Plymouth College Director of Swimming, Jon Rudd.

"It was good to meet some like-minded people from another country who are trying to set up something similar to what we are doing here in Plymouth," said Jon.  "The Plymouth College model for elite swimming development is world-renowned and I wish our Danish friends success and good luck in their quest to try something similar in their country."