In this column, Helen Frost at Scottish Swimming considers what can happen when all parties with an interest in doing the best for their communities come together to build a brighter future.

Scottish Swimming has reaffirmed its manifesto asks in a Save Our Pools campaign gaining cross-party traction and support of the kind that may serve as a model for others, writes Craig Lord. It's about trying to find ways of keeping swimming pools open and serving all levels, from saving lives through teaching, to improving health in the community - both physical and mental - and right on up to the deep end of elite, Olympic racing and the likes of Save Our Pools ambassador Duncan Scott. Here's Helen's take on the good work going on at Scottish Swimming:

It was interesting to attend one of the last items of Scottish parliamentary business this week – a Debate on sport as a force for good put forward as a Motion by Brian Whittle MSP. 

It was great to see so much cross party political support. Sport often drops down the parliamentary priority list when it should be front and centre for its transformational powers in creating a healthier, more resilient Scotland.

Sport delivers on so many accounts time and time again. There were multiple examples of how sport unites and inspires the nation, how it brings people together regardless of social or cultural background, how it opens up opportunities to achieve in life and enjoy lifelong physical and mental health benefits.
Sport creates opportunities for leadership and for teamwork. 

It’s where you find your friends, your confidence and your resilience. And as the Minister for Sport herself acknowledged, sport brings purpose, structure and belonging to peoples’ lives.

Scottish Swimming's Manifesto - HERE

Sport helps tackle some of society’s greatest challenges head on. It reduces anti-social behaviour and crime. It provides a safe haven for those experiencing mental health problems; it unites where there is division and it breaks down barriers to participation.

The positive narrative is all there. The collective voice and collaborative will exists. So why do we have such a long way to go to keep sport at the top of the political and parliamentary agenda?

Sport has no statutory protection at a local government level and is often the first thing to be cut. We saw this recently with the closure of the Scalloway pool in Shetland and the diving facilities at the Citadel Leisure Centre in South Ayrshire.

That is why Scottish Swimming is lobbying in our manifesto for statutory consultation over pool closures. Our argument: how can alternative viable options be explored unless sportscotland and the governing body for aquatics are not involved in the consultation process?

At the Scottish Swimming hustings on 4 February there was unanimous support for consultation. Swimming pools are a public service which not only offer obvious safety benefits and enjoyment, but are community hubs which play a major preventative part in the nation’s health service. We just need parliamentarians to take a long-term view.

The pools predicament continues to be problematic. The volatility of energy costs combined with ageing assets will put more pools in jeopardy in years to come and that is where our second manifesto kicks in: a joint task force on swimming to find solutions to the ongoing facilities crisis. 

There is no easy solution to securing capital investment to save swimming pools and other sports facilities but a task force specially set up to source solutions would be a step in the right direction.

The political will across different parties is there we just need to deliver on this post-election. 

With a home Commonwealth Games and the excitement of Scotland competing in the World Cup fast approaching, there is no better opportunity to keep sport at the top of the political podium.

We have seen what is possible with our third ask - the roll out of school swimming when persistent pressure and a strong campaign came together to deliver positive national outcomes.

A facilities task force and pool closures consultation would go a long way to securing solutions to some of the challenges being faced in aquatics and would advance the case for sport and the positive power it has to transform lives.