Two initiatives bring global swim school associations ASSA and USSSA together
The Australian Swim Schools Association (ASSA) and the United States Swim Schools Association (USSSA) have come together to provide to global initiatives.
International Swim Schools Association
The first is the establishment of the International Swim Schools Association (ISSA). In addition to Australia and the US, membership enquiries have been coming in from China, Europe, Mexico and Brazil.
Formal membership applications will be forwarded at the end of this month.
ISSA will convene (via ASSA) the World Infant Aquatics Conference in conjunction with ASSA’s Conference 2018 at the SPLASH! Expo on the Gold Coast next year. At the same time a forum will be held to further discuss the direction of ISSA.
The foundation ISSA honorary directors are Julia Ham, John Coutts and Wayne Pollock; with Ross Gage as honorary secretary. International swimming and water safety teaching legend, John Bainbridge has accepted an invitation to be patron-in-chief.
Coutts Family Scholarship
The second initiative is the Coutts Family Scholarship.
ASSA has partnered with USSSA and the Coutts Family Trust to develop a scholarship program to enhance the development of future leaders in the swim schools industry.
The Coutts Family Trust has committed a minimum of $10,000 per year for 10 years to the scholarship program, providing a pathway for six individuals – three from Australia and three from the USA – to access the world’s best practices, expand their knowledge and network with other swim school members.
Nordic adventure
The Australians and Americans will travel to the Coutt’s residence in Finland and will convene there from January 27, 2018 to February 5, 2018. Led by John and Sally Coutts of Carlile Swim Schools, and international leading swim school architect Geoff Ward of New Zealand, and armed with a wealth of data, the group will design an achievable, sustainable, futuristic swim school.
Working within set parameters, they will factor in the likes of inclusion, facilities, equipment, curriculum, customer experience, staff and management. The group will present their outcomes and deliberations at their respective association’s annual conferences later in 2018.
John and Sally’s hospitality will extend to experiences beyond the property and successful applicants will enjoy Nordic adventures to savour for a lifetime.
