Former Olympic Gold Medallist and swimming safety advocate, Dr Shane Gould, is in Fiji to prepare and conduct a ‘Training the Trainers” program in Suva in March for swimming trainers and coaches in collaboration with the Fiji Sports Council
Dr Gould, who is a former Nadi Resident,says that
the program would not only encompass competitive swimming training, but water safety and drowning prevention as well.
She and her husband, world-renowned swim coach and aquatics programming expert Milton Nelms, have been visiting Fiji since 2005, and were concerned to hear of the many drowning cases that occurred here.
Dr. Gould says they did some investigations all over Fiji and have since developed and delivered programs to try and reduce the incidences of drowning and uplift swimming skills.
She adds there is a shortage of teachers but a high demand of learners adding they plan to build on recent community programs to train more teachers and upskill the leaders.
Fiji Sports Council Chief Executive and member of the Water Safety Council, Litiana Loabuka, says that she was thrilled that the Australian duo have agreed to make time to upskill their staff and
other interested trainers – with more trainings anticipated for May as well.
