Latest News

Back to Latest News back

 

Leading national swim coaches associations combine to form new International Federation of Swimming Coaches Associations

Leading national swim coaches associations combine to form new International Federation of Swimming Coaches Associations
June 5, 2024

Aiming to support coaches worldwide, four of the world’s largest national swimming coaches associations - from the USA, Australia, Canada and Great Britain - have come together as founders of an innovative alliance called the International Federation of Swim Coaches Associations (IFSCA).

Representing the world’s major aquatic powerhouses, the coming together of the Swim Coaches and Teachers Australia (SCTA), American Swimming Coaches Association (ASCA), Canadian Swimming Coaches Association (CSCA) and British Swim Coaches Association (BSCA) as IFSCA will see a collective push to ensure coaches can project their voices from the pool deck to the boardrooms for the betterment of coaches worldwide under this new, transparent international banner.

Aiming to provide support and collaboration opportunities for representative leaders from national coaches associations and support the development of swim coaches associations around the world, IFSCA has been formed with the belief that by uniting coaches associations, it can promote a better future for all coaches at all levels.

By providing a forum for leaders of coaches associations to openly share information and experiences, and speak in a collective voice when necessary, IFSCA will serve to benefit all coaches.

Membership in IFSCA is open to any national coaches associations who share the same values and mission. The IFSCA is a mechanism for coaches associations to share knowledge, information, ideas, challenges and opportunities. IFSCA is also dedicated to supporting those coaches who want to start a coaches association where one does not exist.

Introducing the body, Brendon Ward, IFSCA spokesperson and SCTA Chief Executive, advised “we provide opportunities for national swim coach associations to share issues, challenges, opportunities, and resources to better serve and represent their respective memberships.

“Having regular conversations with USA, Canadian and British cohorts has been amazing; the sharing of ideas and the openness is only going to help us all in the long run.”

ASCA Chief Executive, Jennifer LaMont noted “ASCA is excited to be part of this new alliance of coaches associations. Through regular virtual meetings and email communications, we have already learned a great deal from each other that will benefit our members.”

Chris Hindmarsh-Watson, Executive Director of the CSCA, commented “our four associations have already started providing resources, tools, templates, and advice.

“We are sharing information on certifications, professional development, policies and conduct standards. It’s been really helpful.”

Brian McGuinness, BSCA Executive Director, added “we are looking forward to assisting coaches around the world who are creating their own associations in developing the skills and knowledge relevant to their needs.

“When coaches work together, we are able to accomplish so much more for ourselves, our athletes and our sport.”

The IFSCA founding document states the following:

Values:
• We stand for equality, fairness and justice, and for dignity and respect for all swim coaches.
• We believe and support that the sport of swimming should be free from all forms of abuse, harassment and maltreatment.
• We believe in solidarity: that swimming coaches can achieve more by acting together than they can do on their own.
• We are global acting with partners and associates around the world to promote the interests and development of National Swim Coaches Associations on the premise that this will directly and indirectly benefit swimming coaches.

Guiding Principles:
Secretariat:
There will be an annual revolving secretariat based on a calendar year. Australia will perform the secretariat role in 2024.
Membership: Any National (or Regional) Swim Coaches Association may apply to be a member of IFSCA. Applications should be submitted to the secretariat for consideration by all members. A simple majority of voting members is required to admit or remove a member. There will be no membership fees.
Council: Members form the IFSCA council who may have up to two representative leaders on the IFSCA Council. Representatives should include one person from a governance role (i.e. President/Chair) and one managerial executive (i.e. CEO/General Manager). Council meetings will be held at least annually. Each member association has one vote for any decision making by the IFSCA Council.
Resourcing: Any required resourcing (financial, human etc.) will be shared amongst the members as required and will be based on what is fair and reasonable for each member at the time.
Rules: There is no initial requirement for a legal entity to be established (i.e. no constitution, bank account, Board/Management hierarchy etc.).

A website with more information and an application for association membership will be posted soon.

Anyone seeking more information currently may email Brendon Ward at brendon@scta.org.

Related Articles

20th May 2024 - World Aquatics unveils Bhutan’s first-ever competition pool

10th May 2024 - SWIMCON24 program launched and available for viewing

2nd May 2024 - Swim Coaches and Teachers unveils revolution in swim teacher qualifications

27th April 2024 - Swimming Australia and Sport Integrity Australia welcome WADA investigation into Chinese doping

21st April 2024 - Chinese swimmers at Tokyo Olympic won gold medals after testing positive for banned drug

12th April 2024 - Strategy Summit looks to drive cohesion across the aquatic and recreation industry

27th March 2024 - Piscine Global to present a new look at swimming pool sustainability

7th March 2024 - Swimming coaches SWIMCON conference heads to the Sunshine Coast in September

19th February 2024 - Memorable World Aquatics Championships closes in Doha

12th February 2024 - Beijing announced as host city for 2029 World Aquatics Championships

24th October 2023 - Swimming Queensland revealed as dissenting vote in national body’s constitutional reform

21st October 2023 - Vote for new constitution sees Swimming Australia avoid expulsion from World Aquatics

9th August 2023 - Swim Coaches and Teachers Australia’s SWIMCON23 to return in September

20th July 2023 - SWIM Australia and AUSTSWIM join forces to reduce drowning rate

21st April 2023 - Swim coaches welcome $3.9 million funding boost for women in coaching

20th September 2022 - Olympic Gold Medal Winning Coaches and McKeon Family recognised at Swim Coaches and Teachers Australia Awards

5th August 2022 - Swim It Forward 2022 campaign launched by Swim Australia ahead of peak drowning season

28th April 2022 - SCTA announce General Manager appointment

14th April 2022 - ASCTA adopts new identity as SWIM Coaches and Teachers Australia


Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.

Click here to view our subscription options.

 

supplier directory

The Complete Guide to Leisure Industry Products & Services.

See the directory see all

Felton Industries

Felton Industries is Australia’s leading designer, manufacturer and supplier of quality outdoor furniture and has been supplying premium seating solutions for all sporting, commercial, community…

read more

Parks / Play / Recreation / Sport / Venues

 
 

SeatGeek Asia Pacific

SeatGeek is a search engine and mobile-focused ticket marketplace that allows fans to buy and sell tickets for live events. As of August 2018, SeatGeek has exited the Australian, New…

read more

Entertainment / Sport / Technology / Ticketing / Venues

 
 

revolutioniseSPORT

revolutioniseSPORT is the emerging market leader in online club management in Australia. Whether it is memberships, registrations, events, online sales or governance tools - revolutioniseSPORT is the…

read more

Recreation / Sport / Technology

 
 

IEDM

iEDM integrate Design, Engineering and Delivery Management services to convert existing spaces into exciting new entertainment venues. Our team consists of highly qualified professionals with diverse…

read more

Consultants / Design

 
 

Hadley/Series Australia Pty Ltd

Hadley Australia and Series Australia Pty Ltd are the leading quality theatre chair manufacturers in the southern hemisphere. The businesses work closely with architects, interior designers and…

read more

Arts / Culture / Design / Entertainment / Venues

 
 

Altitude Training Systems

ATS are global leaders in altitude training and research. From mask systems and inflatable tents to simulated altitude facilities, we help all athletes gain the competitive edge. Our…

read more

Fitness / Sport / Technology

 
 

Clubworx

Switch to smarter fitness management software with Clubworx based in Australia that enables fitness businesses to start or grow their business with ease. - all in one place from anywhere in the…

read more

Fitness / Recreation / Technology / Wellness

 
 

XBODY Australia Pty Ltd

PROVEN BUSINESS CONCEPTS WITH XBODY XBody’s goal is to see you and your EMS business succeed. That is why we don’t just sell equipment, we provide know-how, expert knowledge,…

read more

Fitness / Technology / Wellness

 
 
 
 

get listed with our suppliers directory

Get your business noticed in our targeted directory. Viewed by 10,000 industry professionals per week!

list your business