Canada has joined a growing list of national swimming programmes to choose the Aquatics Centre at the National Sports Centre as a training venue this year.

Canada’s Under-18 team arrived on the island last weekend and will be training and competing until Sunday, the last day of the Bermuda National Championships.

The Danish team and the SwimMac Team Elite from North Carolina have trained in Bermuda this year, advantage of a sports tourism agreement between the Bermuda Tourism Authority and the NSC.

“Sports tourism continues to build momentum and generate growth, particularly at the National Sports Centre,” said Pat Phillip-Fairn, the BTA’s chief product and experiences officer.

“We had two high-calibre swim teams visit in the first quarter and both had great experiences. They were impressed with the quality of the facilities.

“We’re building on that reputation. Now we have to keep that momentum going for all sports, whether it’s swimming or lacrosse, golf or rugby, track or field hockey.”

In the first quarter about 1,900 visitors came to Bermuda for sports tourism. Almost half of them used facilities at the NSC where a BTA agreement brings preferential rates. Growing sports tourism in the shoulder season is an objective of the National Tourism Plan.

The visiting Canadian team is made up of 16 athletes and coaches who are part of a plan to cultivate the next generation of relay swimmers. Discussions between the BTA and Canadian officials began about a year ago.

“The 2016 Canadian Youth tour [which includes Bermuda] is one initiative that is part of our long-term strategy to improve our relays at the senior international level,” said Ken McKinnon, the national development coach for Swimming Canada.

“Our goal is to reach the podium at the Olympics and the World Championships in the relay events.”

The young athletes from Canada, who are staying at Grotto Bay Beach Resort, will participate in the Bermuda National Swimming Championships which start tomorrow.