A BELIEF that everyone should have the opportunity to enjoy sport has led a teenager to set up her own swimming club.

Jemima Browning, 15, was inspired to set up Stingrays at Tadcaster Swimming Pool by her 13-year-old brother Will who has Down’s Syndrome.

As a keen swimmer who competes at a regional level, Jemima said she was determined to start the inclusive group for children with learning or physical disabilities.

She said: “I have always loved swimming and strongly believe that everyone should have the opportunity to enjoy sport.

"I have a brother with Down’s Syndrome, who is developing his swimming skills and hoping to compete in the future. He has enriched my life and taught me so much about what it means to be disabled and how we should never put limits on what we think individuals can achieve.

“I see this as extremely important, as some young people with a disability can feel so isolated and different.

"I want to stop every child or young person feeling this way, whilst keeping fit and having fun swimming. As a group we pride ourselves on training together as a team."

Jemima, who attends Tadcaster Grammar School along with her brother, approached Fiona Garnett, swimming development manager, at the Tadcaster pool with a view to starting up a swimming squad for young people with disabilities.

Tadcaster Stingrays is open to young people, aged between 11 and 18, with learning and physical disabilities who can already swim unaided without armbands for at least 25 metres.

Jemima is now looking for more members. She said: “In order for the squad to be the success it has the potential to be, we need more members to join and benefit from the training sessions and everything they offer, which includes improved fitness, better swimming technique, friendship, support and perhaps the possibility of taking part in galas one day.

“Who knows, there may be a future Special or Para Olympian amongst us.”

Jemima’s parents Ben and Samantha Browning said: “Having a son with Down’s Syndrome has changed our lives, but purely in a positive way and we embrace being a little bit different as a family.

“Will is adored by Jemima and our other daughter Tabitha and they both seem to have developed a subtle, inbuilt radar for anyone who may need a bit of extra help and we frequently learn lessons from their approach to disability.

“Tadcaster Grammar School has been hugely supportive of our children and we would also like to thank Fiona Garnett at Tadcaster Pool for her proactive support. Jemima’s unending enthusiasm and focussed drive to improve the lives of people with learning and physical disability never ceases to amaze and humble us in equal measures. We are extremely proud of her and wish the Tadcaster Stingrays all the success it deserves.”

- For further information, contact Tadcaster Swimming Pool on 01937 833001 or email Fiona Garnett on fiona@tadcasterpool.org.uk