Image: Tokyo 2020 Paralympian, Col Pearse
Swimming Victoria is proud to launch our Multi Class Toolkit for Swimmers with Disability: https://vic.swimming.org.au/pathways/swimmers/swimmers-disabilities
The toolkit is the go-to section of the Swimming Victoria (SV) website for swimmers with disability, their families and carers, coaches and officials. It was created by people living with and working in disability, to help others become involved in swimming, learn about competition, and find support and guidance on the pathways available to them.
Co-Chair of the SV Multi-Class pathways working group, Jeremy Tidy said, "I believe this is a great tool to educate and help people living with disabilities to access our sport." Jeremy, a 2008 Beijing Paralympian, created the toolkit along with administrator Megan Stevens, Deaf Sports Australia Board Member Hannah Britton, swimming coach Courtney Stelling and swimmer Ruby Halliday.
SV are thankful to Tokyo 2020 Paralympian, Col Pearse and the Geelong Swimming Club for their contributions throughout the toolkit.
The Chair of SV's Diversity & Inclusion Advisory Committee and Board Director Matthew Haanappel OAM said, "This toolkit will guide future swimmers, parents and their families through the at times complex world of sport for people with disability. It reaffirms Swimming Victoria's true and real commitment to inclusion, and developing sport leading initiatives".
The toolkit contains information on Learn to Swim, joining a club, classification and competition pathways. You can also check out The Abilities Program, a free community-based swimming event for Swimmers with disabilities launching in various locations around Victoria in 2022.
If you are living with disability and are interested in swimming, check out the toolkit. The layout and design create an easy way to access valuable information to begin your swimming pathway.
