VICSWIM APPOINTED AS OFFICIAL SPORT DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM OF THE 12TH FINA WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS
February 5, 2007
VICSWIM appointed as official Sport Development Program of the 12th FINA World Championships
The 2007 World Swimming Championships Corporation is proud to announce VICSWIM as the official Sports Development Program for the 12th FINA World Championships.
Mr Tony Beddison AO, the Chairman of the 2007 World Swimming Championships Corporation said the Sport Development Program played an important role in the establishment of a long-term aquatic legacy for Victoria.
Since its inception in 1976, VICSWIM has provided specialist swimming and water safety skills training to more than 700,000 Victorian children.
Beginning Tuesday 2 January 2007, VICSWIM will conduct three 5-day programs at over 180 locations throughout Victoria, focusing on fun, educational swimming and water safety.
Children can participate in the general swimming and water safety program, open water or synchronised swimming.
“We’re very conscious of ensuring the Championships leave a long lasting effect for Victoria, and the Sport Development Program allows us to focus these efforts at a grass roots level and promote aquatic participation in a fun and safe environment,” he said.
“VICSWIM has been a leader in aquatic-based learning and education for over 30 years.
“We’re particularly proud to have them on board as part of the Sport Development Program and hope our association will result in a continual increase in program participation for many years to come.”
Aquatics and Recreation Victoria Chief Executive Officer Andrew Whittaker said the Championships were an ideal fit for VICSWIM.
“VICSWIM is a genuine grass roots community program and is very much focussed on promoting aquatic development across a variety of disciplines and conditions. It is often the starting point for a life long interest in aquatics,” he said.
“We offer programs aimed not only at general pool-based swimming, but synchronised swimming and skills development in an open water environment, all of which we’ll see on show at the elite level in Melbourne next year.”
As an integral part of the program, VICSWIM has appointed five Ambassadors to help raise aquatic awareness and participation.
The Ambassadors are:
- Loudy Tourky , Diving – Olympic, World and Commonwealth Games medallist;
- Kelly Stubbins, Swimming – 2006 Commonwealth Games gold medallist;
- Patrick Murphy, Swimming, 2004 Athens Olympian and 2005 World Championship bronze medallist;
- Dannielle Liesch, Synchronised Swimming – 2006 Commonwealth Games gold medallist;
- Luke Gavin, Water Polo – member of the Australian Men’s water polo team;
Murphy, a freestyle and backstroke specialist, said he was excited to be involved in such an important swimming program.
”VICSWIM gives youngsters a great opportunity to learn all the necessary swimming skills to further their interest and participation in a range of aquatic activities,” he said.
“It provides fun-based learning and is an excellent school holidays activity.”
Murphy and his fellow Ambassadors, alongside Penny the Penguin – the 12th FINA World Championships mascot, will be making special visits to participating VICSWIM venues during the summer program.
The General Program is open to participants aged 4 years and over with little or no previous experience up to those who can swim continuously for 200 meters, VICSWIM has something for every child.
The Open Water Program allows participants to enjoy the open water experience in a safe and educational environment. Supported by the Victorian Government’s ‘Play it Safe by the Water’ campaign, this program focuses on safety in and around open water locations.
The Synchronised Swimming Program is open to both male and female participants who want to try something different. They learn the basic skills, moves and layout of synchronised swimming, all to music.
By registering for the VICSWIM program before 17 November 2006, you will go into a draw to win tickets to the FINA World Championships and an official 12th FINA World Championships merchandise pack.
The following families have already won tickets to the World Championships from 17 March – 1 April 2007.
- Braddy Family of St Helena – Major Draw Prize 1;
- Sweeny Family of Cobram – Major Draw Prize 2;
- Bromley Family of Mildura – Secondary Draw Prize 1;
- Gunnersen Family of Yea – Secondary Draw Prize 2;
- Brodie Family of Highton – Secondary Draw Prize 3;
- O’Leary Family of Cheltenham – Secondary Draw Prize 4.
For further information and enrolment details, visit the VICSWIM website www.vicswim.com
The official partners of the 12th FINA World Championships are Yakult, AstralPool, Omega, Speedo and ANZ
