AUSTSWIM and YMCA NSW join forces on water safety

04 Jul 2016 - Media Releases Recreation

Water safety is the big winner in a new strategic partnership announced this week between AUSTSWIM and YMCA NSW.

The organisations will work together to advocate for and promote swimming and water safety across NSW and the ACT.

Between 2002 and 2015, there were a total of 128 drowning deaths in children under five years of age in NSW.

AUSTSWIM will provide swimming and water safety teacher training and staff development in YMCA NSW’s 22 swimming centres to ensure that all participants are taught by instructors who are accredited to the highest quality aquatic education standards.

YMCA NSW is one of the largest providers of swimming lessons across NSW and the ACT. Each week, around 16,000 children participate in swimming and water safety programs at YMCA NSW facilities.

YMCA NSW CEO Leisa Hart said the partnership will mean even higher quality instruction in its programs.

“We are delighted to enter into this strategic partnership with AUSTSWIM, an organisation whose values are closely aligned with ours around the importance of teaching essential water safety and swimming skills to the highest standard.

“We look forward to working with AUSTSWIM to provide best practice training to all children involved in our learn-to-swim programs.”

AUSTSWIM has long been recognised as the leader in aquatic teacher training in Australia and last year, in a world-first, attained ISO17024 accreditation for its swimming and water safety education programs.

AUSTSWIM CEO Jennifer Schembri-Portelli said this international accreditation gave consumers the confidence of knowing that AUSTSWIM-trained teachers were accredited to the highest standard.

She welcomed the new agreement with YMCA NSW and said it presented an excellent opportunity for the two organisations to work closely to promote safer aquatic participation through high quality education programs and advocacy.

YMCA NSW is a not-for-profit organisation committed to connecting people to their communities to live healthier and happier lives. YMCA NSW delivers services in more than 100 locations across NSW including camps, before and after school care, community recreation and sporting facilities, swimming pools and youth services.

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