AusLeisure

The Australian Swimming Coaches and Teachers Association (ASCTA) has shared a letter with its members and industry stakeholders highlighting the value of swim coaching, swim teaching and learn-to-swim programs.

The letter, which is being customised for delivery to each state and territory, explains the value of swimming pools and swim schools, their role in drowning prevention skills and education and the significance of swimming as a sport, advising that prolonged closure of facilities due to COVID-19 could put lives at risk in the future.

The letter, from ASCTA Chief Executive, Brendon Ward advocates for the early reopening of aquatic facilities, stating “We are in an environment that can practise social distancing, classes and squads can be taught with a low ratio of students to teachers/coaches and can be staggered to allow distancing within changeroom and pool areas. Separate entrance and exit points can be introduced to create a oneway flow of traffic. Chlorine and other pool chemicals disinfect the water and surrounding areas and all registered swim schools are tested multiple times throughout the day for exacting chlorine and chemical levels. It has been stated by health authorities that COVID-19 cannot survive in correctly managed swimming pools.”

Explaining the distribution on the letter, Ward told Australasian Leisure Management “this has been loaded onto our website and we are about to distribute this via social media.”

Ward also highlights ASCTA’s diligent work behind the scenes to formulate and implement its advocacy plan on behalf of members.

ASCTA has and is undertaking the following on behalf of swim coaches, swim teachers and the learn-to-swim sector:

• Engaged with a range of members to seek clarity on what we should be advocating for;
• Developed an advocacy matrix consisting of the issues/problems, solutions, outcomes and assistance/support required from Government;
• Sent a letter to NSW Premier and Health Minister outlining the key issues and requesting action in three areas 
• Written a sample letter to be customised for each State and Territory Premiers and Ministers advocating for pools and swim schools to re-open (a copy of the sample letter can be accessed here for your information);
• Developing a template letter for members to send to government representatives who may be influential or provide assistance;
• Meeting with Mr Andrew Wallace, Federal Member for Fisher for Wednesday morning this week;
• ASCTA Board member, Joanne Love, has written to the Victoria Premier regarding learn-toswim and requesting action, and is meeting with the Victorian Premier this week.Love and Ward have been interviewed by ABC on this and  have referred the ABC onto other swim school owners;
• ASCTA Board member, Bill Kirby, has written to the Western Australian Sport and Recreation Minister regarding competitive swimming being re-opened in the state with a positive response;
• Discussions with Swimming Australia, State Swimming Associations and other industry bodies (i.e. ARV, Royal Life Saving Society, AUSTSWIM and ASSA) to ensure we have consistent messaging and requests from Government
• Continuing to keep members and the wider industry engaged through information, resources and a range of free and discounted professional development opportunities (webinars, courses etc.)

Click here to view the Advocacy letter.

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