In the past year, the partnership between Caulfield Grammar School and Aligned Leisure has blossomed, showcasing the extraordinary potential of collaboration in aquatic development.
As the school aligns its initiatives with its 2031 strategy to elevate its aquatic program to new frontiers, the partnership, even in just a single year, has already significantly elevated the aquatic programs at Caulfield, ensuring an enriching and elite experience for students.
With the appointment of former Olympian Kenrick Monk as the Full-Time Squad Head Coach, the Caulfield Aquatics program has thrived, experiencing exponential growth across its Squad and Learn to Swim programs. The impact of Monk’s expertise is evident, as the squad achieved a terrific 11th place overall at the prestigious Australian Age National Championships, firmly establishing itself as the second-highest Victorian club in the age classification.
In a landmark achievement for the swim club, 11 swimmers qualified for the 2024 Australian Olympic Trials, marking Caulfield Aquatics’ inaugural representation at the Olympic trials. It comes after three students competed at the Junior Pan Pacific Championships in August.
The recent State Long Course Championships also saw the club attaining its highest finish to date, securing 4th place overall. These accomplishments highlight not only the growth of the club but also the extraordinary talent that resides within its ranks, igniting excitement for future achievements, and future opportunity of growth within the squad programming, with the recent announcement of the incoming National Age squad and a soon to be appointment of a full time National Age coach.
Dean Jamieson, Caulfield Grammar’s Leisure Manager, reflected on the “remarkable success” of the partnership.
The growth we have experienced, both in participation and achievement, reflects our shared commitment to excellence. As we look forward, I am excited about the opportunities for further development and innovation that lie ahead.
Dean Jamieson, Caulfield Grammar Leisure Manager
This year has also seen the introduction of swimming meets hosted at Caulfield Grammar’s facilities, which have provided invaluable competitive experiences for athletes and added a vibrant community spirit among participants, families, and staff. The successes extend to the programs themselves; the Learn to Swim program has seen a 50% increase in participants since 2023, while squad enrolments have skyrocketed by over 170% during the same timeframe.
The impressive growth is further supported by the inclusion of stadium and facility hires, allowing the community to experience Caulfield Grammar’s outstanding facilities, which have recorded over 150,000 attendance figures in 2024.
As the partnership between Caulfield Grammar School and Aligned Leisure progresses, there is a sense of excitement for what lies ahead. Together, both are committed to continuing the elevation of aquatic programs, promoting excellence in performance and community engagement.
