The VICSWIM programs conducted in regional Victoria are about to have an injection of more qualified swim teachers following Aquatics and Recreation Victoria’s announcement today of an exciting partnership with Aligned Leisure, including the introduction of a scholarship program for new teachers.
Under the new agreement, VICSWIM and Aligned Leisure will conduct several swim teacher courses between July and November 2018, aimed at increasing the industry workforce in regional communities but also assist in growing the number of VICSWIM programs and participation levels in areas that need to provide low-cost swimming programs.
A specific focus will be on the Albury-Wodonga region initially with up to 50 scholarship positions available for aspiring swim teachers, following the recent commencement of Aligned Leisure managing the Albury and Wodonga Aquatic Facilities.
VICSWIM is a low-cost swimming and water safety program that is offered during the summer school holidays for children who may not normally be able participate in due to cost or geographical challenges.
In May, the Victorian State Government announced a 3-year, $1.2million funding announcement for the VICSWIM program highlighting the importance of providing an environment for young Australians aged from 4 to 12 years to learn key aquatics skills.
Aquatics and Recreation Victoria CEO Grant Connors said the joint initiative with Aligned Leisure provided an opportunity to deliver programs in areas that have a dearth of swim teachers available.
“Regions such as Albury-Wodonga have had a lack of swimming teachers in the area for some time, which has restricted our ability to deliver the Vicswim program to the parents and children of the community,” Connors said.
“This partnership with Aligned Leisure allows us to provide an opportunity for many locals to be part of our Swim Australia Teacher (SAT) courses and the renowned VICSWIM program.”
The criteria to be considered for acceptance into the scholarship includes that candidates are new, first-time swim teachers, locally-based and currently working within the community or looking to enter the aquatic and leisure industry.
“This new partnership is the first of many new initiatives to drive participation in the region,” said Aligned Leisure CEO Shane Dunne.
“We believe that learning to swim is a vital life skill that should be available to all Australian children.”
“Working with Aquatics and Recreation Victoria, we will identify and train a new team of swimming teachers in the region. We will provide excellent training and employment outcomes for those with a passion for working with children. These new teachers will support our efforts to prevent drowning incidents throughout the twin cities.”
Round one of the scholarship offer will include free enrolment into the swim teacher course at the Wodonga Sports and Leisure Centre to be held on July 29, 2018.
All scholarship applications are to be sent to Aligned Leisure’s Head of Swim School Mandy Sawyer indicating their eligibility to be accepted for a scholarship position at mandy.sawyer@alignedleisure.com.au
Aligned Leisure is a 100% owned subsidiary company of the Richmond Football Club, established as a vehicle to manage the operations of Richmond’s health, fitness and leisure business activities.
