To our wonderful VICSWIM community,
I write to you with an important update on the 2022 Vicswim program
COVID_19 pandemic
As you are aware, over 2020 and 2021 COVID-19 has affected each and every person in Victoria.
Unfortunately the pandemic has also devastated the Victorian aquatics and learn to swim industry with research confirming over 20% of all learn to swim teachers have left the industry. This figure and its impacts are potentially even greater in the rural and regional areas of Victoria.
With so many children unable to attend swimming lessons throughout the year, the 2022 Vicswim Summer Kidz program has had a record number of children register at venues all around Victoria.
Teacher shortage
Unfortunately, despite the Vicswim program having the support and assistance of the whole aquatics industry in our search for swim teachers, for the first time ever, we have not been able to recruit enough swim teachers to fully staff this year’s program.
As the 2022 Vicswim program draws closer the sad consequence of our industries shortage of learn to swim teachers is that we will be left with no alternative but to cancel Vicswim classes that do not have a qualified swim teacher.
For some children Vicswim is the only swimming lessons they are able to access for the year so we fully appreciate the impact cancelling classes may have so please know we are doing everything possible to minimise the number of cancellations.
If the Vicswim class you have registered for is cancelled you will be notified and fully refunded.
Do you know a qualified swim teacher?
It is not too late to help. If you are or know a qualified learn to swim teacher who would like to work a few hours each day for 1,2 or 3 weeks in January 2022 we would love to hear from you. Simply send us an email at [email protected] or call us in the office on 03 9271 3800. We have many positions in both metropolitan Melbourne and throughout regional Victoria.
Yours sincerely,
Kathy Parton
Chief Executive Officer
Aquatics & Recreation Victoria
