Olympians Launch Aquatic Organiser Award
A trio of aquatic Olympians unveiled a pioneering youth programme devised by the ASA, funded by Connexions Nottinghamshire and aimed at attracting younger volunteers to the sport.
Double Commonwealth Champion and two-time Olympian Sarah Price is joined by fellow Olympic swimmer Alan Rapley and Olympic diver Karen Smith to host a week of aquatic activity being run at the Meden School Pool from the 24th to 28th October, in conjunction with Connexions Nottinghamshire.
Around 50 local teenagers are due to take part in the five-day ASA 2012 Aquatic Organiser Award, which combines theory with practical assignments and provides trainees with the skills required to organise and run aquatic events.
Pool-based afternoon sessions will see the students taking part in a variety of aquatic activities including mini water polo, flip and fun diving, aquatic circuits, aquajogging and raft building and relays.
ASA Volunteer Coordinator Matt Sturgess explains the rationale behind the programme.
“We are using aquatics to educate young people in literacy, IT, leadership, event management, marketing and other business skills, as well as personal skills such as communication and team work,” he said.
“We hope to draw on their youthful enthusiasm and channel that to get them involved with ASA clubs and future events.
“After this pilot, we are planning to roll out the programme nationally with external partners and develop it to use within the ASA volunteer programme.”
Connexions Nottinghamshire is funding the programme through its Positive Activities for Young People (PAYP) scheme. A Government initiative, PAYP provides funded activities during school holidays to encourage local young people to learn new skills and spend their time productively.
Connexions Nottinghamshire’s Assistant Crime Diversion Project Manager, Malcolm Spray, is delighted with the new partnership.
“We are really excited to be working with the ASA on this new project,” he said. “Young people like to engage in activities they find enjoyable and which give them a new experience - the more different to their usual activities, the better.
“The partnership with the ASA ticks a lot of boxes for us – it ties in with the health agenda, it’s unusual, and those involved can gain a qualification from the five-day course. For the youngsters taking part, it is something to put on their CV and it will give them a sense of achieving and build their self-esteem.
“We are hoping that this is the first of many projects with the ASA and we are already looking at providing a similar course in the February half term.”
