| Sports |
‘Aussie swimming experts needed in
Oceania region’
By SUSAN OREAPE-FARAPO
PAPUA NEW GUINEA Swimming
Inc. (PNGSI) boss says coaching expertise from Australia is
needed in the Oceania region.
Elizabeth Wells highlighted this during a regional meeting in
Australia recently. There are currently talks with Australia
Swimming to adapt the Australian Swimming Accreditation coaching
programme.
The programme will involve Australian coaches visiting each
country in the region to provide training in coaching,
officiating and administration.
“Basically we are talking with Australian with the idea of
adopting the programme,” Wells said.
She said the Oceania Swimming Association (OSA) executives are
working towards the same purpose of developing coaches with the
hope more can be qualified under a regional programme. “It also
makes it easier when having coaching courses,” Wells said.
A coach will come to each country each year in order to ensure
sustainable and continuous development for accreditation of
coaches. Member countries of OSA would be visited first.
According to Wells the programme will not replace the current
FINA programme.
It was questioned during the meet in Australia whether swimmers
and coaches could go to Australia for internships but this will
depend on Swimming Australia.
It was recognized that much of development fund would go on
airfares and that local support in the way of accommodation
would need to be looked at. It was established that full 100%
funding of the coaching programme would not be possible.
Representatives from Tahiti and New Caledonia both discussed
their future meets and programmes inviting other Oceania
countries to attend.
The meeting was held to discuss future plans and needs for the
development of swimming in the Oceania region.
The Oceania swimming championship will be held from June 5-8th
next year in Christchurch, New Zealand.
Meanwhile, swimming facilities are needed in the country to
assist with developing youngsters. “It is the youth we are
targeting for talent identification at an early age and have
been doing so for many years,” Wells said.
She said their (PNGSI) biggest hiccup at the moment was the lack
of facilities in the country and clubs were working from school
25m pools and was thankful for that.
 
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