Welcome to the September edition of The Western Swimmer. I attended the 2020 Hancock Prospecting State Open and Age Short Course Championships over the weekend and was extremely impressed to see so many of our swimmers returning to good form. When you consider the challenges that our Clubs and Coaches have faced accessing water space during the COVID-19 crowd gathering restrictions, I must pay tribute to our Coaches for an amazing job with the athletes – well done to you all.
During August there have been some exciting developments. SWA Board and Management are focusing on making the 2020/21 season a positive and enriching experience for all involved in swimming – in and out of the pool. If the COVID-19 pandemic has taught us anything, it is that at this time our community must work together over the months ahead. Swimming WA made the pledge to its Membership to be a ‘kinder and gentler sport’ with the health and well-being of our athletes and Members ‘front and centre’ of our words and deeds. Our Coaches and Technical Officials will play a crucial role in this commitment as will our Club Leaders and Officials and I ask you to support our efforts.
As part of our commitment in line with the Association’s Strategic Plan 2019-24, SWA will invest an additional $55,000 into coach development that will provide opportunities for coaches all across the State to deliver programmes on behalf of SWA. In a further commitment to Club based swimming, SWA will invest in SWA Club programmes that have performance athletes that are not WAIS Scholarship Holders, but part of the SWA Gold Squad across pool, open water and multi-class.
Part of the funding allocation will see the successful applicant Coaches support and provide mentoring services to SWA Country Club Coaches. Our thanks to ASCTA (WA) for working with us on the scheme which will play a major role in assisting our coaches to develop their knowledge and skills over the summer ahead.
SWA will also invest an additional $20,000 into Multi Class swimming this year in a bid to increase the number of multi class athletes and families that are entering our sport for the first time. The SWA Staff will be working with the Multi Class Advisory Group (MCAG) over the coming weeks to finalise plans for this summer, so stay tuned for more information.
The SWA OWS Series is just around the corner with round one set for Saturday October 3rd in Karratha at Hearson’s Cove. SWA wishes to thank the City of Karratha, round sponsor Yara Pilbara Fertilizers for their support of swimming in the Pilbara. We hope that some of our OWS Members from around WA will make the trip to beautiful Karratha and get involved in what promises to be a wonderful open water swim!
Finally, the 2020 SWA Club Conference and AGM will be held on Saturday October 10th at UWA Business School. I would love to see as many of our Club Committees, Coaches and Technical Officials attend what is our annual ‘industry collaboration’. There are still uncertain times ahead and together, we want to ensure that swimming has a sold base from which to grow. For all of the detail about the Conference, please visit www.wa.swimming.org.au
I look forward to seeing you at the 2020 SunSmart Junior Short Course Championships on September 19th and 20th at HBF Stadium.
Best wishes,
Louis van Aardt
SWA President
