Swimming Australia in Belconnen has this week commenced delivering much needed equipment to swimming clubs as part of the 2011 Club Equipment Grants program with over 50 clubs nation-wide set to benefit. 

Recipients of the grant include clubs in the surrounding areas affected by recent floods in Victoria and Queensland as well as smaller, regional clubs that are required to travel long distances to compete regularly. 

Eligible clubs across the country will receive one of the following items as part of the grants; a marshalling and events board, a shade marquee, a laptop with swimming-specific programs installed, 20 kick boards/pull buoys and a dry land training kit, a pace clock, an underwater video kit or a wireless timing system. 

Head coach and director of North West Aquatic Swimming Club in Victoria, Cam Nation said the equipment will make a huge difference for his club. 

“The swimmers will now be able to use the equipment at local swim meets and the benefits will not only be received by the club, but by the greater Metro West District,” said Nation. 

More than 200 clubs were put through a tough judging process which involved Swimming Australia assessing each club’s needs, and a close look at what impact the grants would have on the swimming community in that particular region. 

So far 58 clubs have been successful in their application for a grant, with the roll-out of equipment continuing throughout September. 

Swimming Australia’s General Manager of Community Sport Adam Pine said swimming clubs are the backbone of the sport. 

“We hope these grants will aid clubs in enhancing the sport for all of our members as well as the wider community,” said Pine. 

“To be able to provide much needed equipment to more than 50 clubs is a key component of our aim to grow the sport and add to the already large number of swimmers competing at a club level.” 

To qualify for the grant, clubs had to have participated in Swimming Australia’s GO Club PB program which is aimed at identifying and rewarding clubs based on measuring their service and performance across the board, not just in competition. 

Manager of Devonport Swimming Club in Tasmania Barry Pickett said the grants have been extremely well received. 

The support of the Community Equipment Grant will help reduce costs to swimmers and their parents and the money saved will allow the club to expand and provide improved facilities for its members,” said Pickett. 

“Receiving this equipment grant has allowed our club to redirect funding towards establishing club rooms at the pool, and providing facilities to encourage group exercising. The dry land equipment will give the opportunity for our swimmers to exercise and improve on their core strength and work together prior to swim training.” 

Aimed at clubs and their communities, the grants are part of Swimming Australia’s ongoing commitment to increasing the capacity of clubs and improving the equipment that is available for members. 
Swimming Australia is paving the way for the next generation of swimmers by providing clubs with necessary training equipment. The new equipment can be used as a drawcard to encourage aspiring swimmers to continue club-swimming.