SLAF Forges Ahead With Training Programmes For Coaches

SLAF FORGES AHEAD WITH TRAINING PROGRAMMES FOR COACHES

The St. Lucia Aquatics Federation in collaboration with International governing body FINA will be hosting the second phase of the FINA Swimming Coaches Certification Course – Assistant Coach Level (L1). This will be held at the Bay Gardens Hotel and the Rodney Heights Aquatic Centre from October 4 – 6, 2019. This Course commenced with an online component from July 1st 2019. Participants are to successfully complete the online examinations in order to participate in the face to face sessions of the course.

The Clinic is being conducted by Mr. Rick Powers an ASCA (American Swimming Coaches Association) Level 5 coach. He has coached the national teams of Brasil, Venezuela, Ecuador, Israel, Malaysia and the Philippines. Mr. Powers has conducted over 150 clinics in 62 countries and has done more clinics for FINA than any other coach in the world. He has been a speaker at the ASCA World clinic. He has coached at every level in the US from club to high school to college. Mr. Powers has also published a book entitled: Swimming from A-Z, Alaska to Zimbabwe and has had swimmers in 6 Olympic games from the various countries spanning his fifty-year coaching career.

The Assistant Coach Level (L1) will comprise of thirty (30) participants and will involve both a theory and practical examination component. Participants for this clinic comprises Physical Education and Sport Teachers, Coaches and persons desirous of becoming Swimming Coaches. This certification forms part the new roll out by FINA in the Certification process for Coaches.

SLAF is well on its way to standardizing coaching on the island and will soon publish the list of certified coaches and instructors. According to Development Officer Yasmin Tyson “We need to have a database of authorized persons on island who are qualified to teach any aquatic sport. We have reached out to all persons to get certified, as SLAF is the governing body for all Aquatics (Swimming, Water Polo, Artistic Swimming, Open Water Swimming, Diving) on the island.”

The Federation notes this is necessary as we continue to roll out our programmes in various communities and schools. SLAF encourages persons who have aquatic programmes to register with the Federation so that we can monitor and sanction these programmes in our efforts to encourage St. Lucians to swim. Nagé Sent Lisi!