New swimming proficiency programme for local schools

SINGAPORE - A new swimming proficiency programme may be rolled out in schools by July 2014 after its introduction by the Singapore Swimming Association (SSA) and the Swimming Coaches Education Committee (SCEC).

The Singapore Swimming Proficiency Award (SSPA) is an award-based structure consisting of six levels of various distances (50m, 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m and 1500m) for Freestyle and three levels of various distances (50m, 100m and 200m) for Breaststroke, Backstroke, Butterfly and Individual Medley.

Swimmers who meet the timing for the each level will be able to progress to the next level. There are a total of 20 certificates and badges to be attained.

Besides aiming to improve the proficiency of swimmers, SSPA aims to provide a talent pool for the next generation of competitive swimmers for Singapore, and increase the level of technical expertise among swimming coaches.

Mr Jeffrey Leow, President of Singapore Swimming Association said: "In the long term, we hope that this programme will develop and build a sustainable pipeline of talented swimmers for all aquatic platforms to represent Singapore in major games."

More than 600 coaches from the National Registry of Coaches (NROC) have attended specially organised workshops to learn more about SSPA.

This programme will also be accessible to anyone from the public who wishes to sign up for the programme by their NROC registered coach.

For more information on SSPA, please visit www.swimming.org.sg or call 62581011.

grongloh@sph.com.sg