AusLeisure

The Australian Swimming Coaches & Teachers Association (ASCTA) was honoured to have Olympian Harry Gallagher as a guest at its recent Convention on the Gold Coast.

The International Swimming Hall-of-Famer coached athletes to win four successive 100 metre Olympic swimming gold medals. During his illustrious career Gallagher has coached some of Australia’s greats including Dawn Fraser, Jon Henricks, Lorraine Crapp, Michael Wenden, Brad Cooper and Lyn McClements.

Gallagher’s inciteful interview at the Swim Australia™ Teacher Supporters Get-Together, which coincided with the launch of his latest book Pushing Positive Buttons was very well received.

He spoke about his career and it was evident just how far swim coaching has advanced since he was the sole Australian swimming team coach. During his reign the team achieved 52 world records and 18 Olympic medals, which he said reinforced the importance of getting the fundamentals correct at an early stage in learn to swim.

Many of the 100 guests commented that it was an extremely interesting interview, one of the best they had heard.

The evening was hosted by debonair Australian Swimming Coaches & Teachers Association (ASCTA) General Manager, David Speechley. ASCTA also presented awards to:

Swim Australia™ Teacher Administrator of the Year - Haydn Belshaw

Swim Australia™ Teacher Course Presenter of the Year
Raylene Rasmussen
Lari McDonald
Susie McKeon
Michele Eason
Sally Curtis
Haydn Belshaw
Tina Wooldridge
Chris Dellit
Mark Erickson
Michael Creighton

Speechley explained “while these awards were only presented to a small number, all of the Swim Australia™ Teacher courses presented Australia-wide and to 22 international countries receive excellent feedback.

ASCTA President Tony Shaw, ASCTA Chief Executive Ross Gage and Aquabliss General Manager Haydn Belshaw also spoke at the event.

Alongside the ASCTA Convention, the Australian Leisure Facilities Association’s Queensland branch (ALFAQ) held a industry networking breakfast on Friday 2nd May, addressed by Australian Innovative Systems (AISystems) Chief Executive Elena Gosse.

Commenting on her presentation, Grose explained “swimming coaches and teachers are at the ‘coal face’ of the industry and are interacting with leisure swimmers, learn to swim students and competition athletes every day. 

“They experience first-hand the effects of water disinfection technology on a commercial scale in indoor and outdoor facilities and how getting it wrong can greatly affect swimmer and staff comfort levels as well as water and air quality.

“At AIS we are dedicated to industry education, innovation and best practice and are passionate about our technology which not only disinfects water easily, safely and efficiently but helps to improve water and air quality in aquatic facilities.

“Using the tried and trusted method of electrolysis, we allow aquatic centres to bid farewell to the endless and hazardous cycle of ordering, transporting, storing and handling regular supplies of liquid or granular chlorine.  Our award winning systems manufacture chlorine either onsite and inline, or onsite and off line via a simple ‘plumb in and turn on’ system. 

“Staff no longer have to handle chemicals or worry about the risk of chemical spills so there are Occupational Health and Safety benefits too.”

Millions of litres of water in national and international municipal pools, aquatic centres, competitive swimming facilities, hotels, resorts and water theme parks remained clean and clear thanks to AIS’ ingenuity.

The 2014 ASCTA Convention was held at the Sofitel Hotel Gold Coast from 26th April to 4th May.

16th December 2013 - DETAILS ANNOUNCED FOR 2014 ASCTA CONVENTION AND SWIMFEST 2014

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