AUSTRALIA, GERMANY AND THE USA ALL SIGN UP TO THE INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OF SWIMMING TEACHERS’ ASSOCIATION

Three major swimming nations have joined the International Federation Swimming Teachers’ Association (IFSTA), the international arm of the UK’s Swimming Teachers’ Association (STA), as part of their long term commitment to improve swimming and lifesaving standards and reduce drownings.

The Australian Swimming Coaches and Teachers Association (ASCTA), the German Lifesaving Society and the United States Swim School Association, who each teach many millions of children to swim every year, are the latest organisations to join the IFSTA, which is the only international swimming and lifesaving body to represent the global interests of learn to swim associations.

Ross Gage, the CEO of ASCTA says: “ASCTA is a strong believer in the value of networking with kindred organisations, and the IFSTA provides the forum for likeminded swimming organisations to share international best practices. With the recent launch of its Swim Australia Teacher accreditation program, the ASCTA is keen to be at the cutting edge of teacher accreditation and training. The association with other international teacher organisations can only assist in this process.”

As members of the IFSTA, the ASCTA and the US Swim School Association are also keen to share the STA’s experience of developing PAS 81:2008, the standard the UK association created with BSi for the operation and management of swim schools. “Swim Australia has a strong emphasis on enhancing the learn to swim experience delivered at Swim Schools, and the affiliation with the IFSTA will provide a greater insight into what is being done in this regard around the world,” added Ross.

“Of immediate relevance is the STA’s Swim Schools Accreditation programme, which is leading the way in terms of raising standards within the growing swim school market. Swim Australia is currently formulating such a program and assistance from the STA will ensure Swim Australia does not unnecessarily ‘reinvent the wheel’, and we hope that different aspects developed by Swim Australia can also be utilised by the STA and other international swim bodies when reviewing their programme.”

Sue Mackie, Executive Director of the United States Swim School Association added: “We fully support IFSTA’s dedication to promoting excellence in aquatic education and water safety. Joining forces with individuals and organisations throughout the world to champion swimming, lifesaving and survival techniques through quality education not only saves lives, but strengthens each of us by providing high levels of standards to obtain.”

As the greatest national lifesaving society in the world with more than one million volunteers and donators, the Deutsche Lebens-Rettungs-Gesellschaft – DLRG (German Lifesaving Society) has joined the IFSTA as part of its plans to create a European network of learn to swim organisations that can work together to help prevent drownings. Dr Klaus Wilkens, the President of DLRG said: “Every year in Europe there are nearly 40,000 reported cases of drownings, and tragically many of these people died because they were unable to swim. Learning to swim is the best prevention against drowning, so as a leading member in the International Life-Saving Federation of Europe (ILSE), DLRG is focused on developing a European network of organisations which can work together to improve learn to swim standards. By joining the IFSTA, the DLRG can work with other European members and help this fight against drowning.”

Roger Millward, the Chief Executive of the IFSTA and STA: “We are delighted to welcome the ASCTA, the DLRG and the US Swim School Association to the IFSTA. As major learn to swim associations, their knowledge and experience will greatly benefit the association, and contribute significantly to raising international standards.”

The IFSTA is a significant international body and alongside Australia, Germany and the USA, it supports members in Hong Kong, China, Singapore, Taiwan, Sri Lanka, the Middle East, Caribbean, Netherlands and Ireland, plus many more. In September 2008, members converged in Taiwan at the bi-annual IFSTA conference. The conference provides a platform for members to share and disseminate the principles of best practice as part of the IFSTA’s long-term commitment to reduce deaths by drowning, by improving standards in teaching swimming, life saving and other survival techniques.


For further editorial information, please contact:
Samantha Stewart
Imagine Communications
Tel: 01746 763576
Email: s.stewart@imagine-comms.co.uk

The STA is the world's largest swim teaching & lifesaving organisation, and is dedicated to working with its customers and partners here in the UK and internationally, to build Safer, Healthier & Better Skilled Communities.

For further information, please telephone the STA on 01922 645097 or visit www.sta.co.uk / www.ifsta.co.uk

This release was published on openPR.