Australian Olympic Swimming medallists to strengthen Australia –Thailand sports collaboration
21 June 2013
Former Australian Olympic medallists and qualified swim coaches Geoff Huegill and Bill Kirby will visit Thailand from 24-28 June 2013 to conduct swimming clinics for Thai swim coaches and professional swimmers. The former swimming champions will also deliver swim-safe clinics in Chaiyaphum. The visit is organised by the Australian Embassy in Thailand in partnership with the Sport Authority of Thailand and Thailand Swimming Association.
Geoff Huegill is renowned for his impressive swimming career. He won dual silver and bronze Olympic medals, was a World Champion, eight times World Record holder and seven times Commonwealth Gold medallist. Thailand, as the homeland of Huegill’s mother holds a special place in his heart.
Bill Kirby was a member of the Australian Olympic gold medal winning 4 x 200m freestyle relay team at the 2000 Sydney Olympics. He is a Commonwealth Games medal holder and former World Record holder. Today, Kirby owns and runs a successful swim school in Perth, Australia.
The swimming clinics in Bangkok aim to strengthen skills for professional swimmers and coaches. The clinics, directed at Gold Licence swim coaches, will focus on butterfly technique and sprint distance swimming.
In Chaiyaphum, the Australian coaches will conduct training for Silver Licence coaches. In addition, they will conduct a special session of ‘learn- to-swim and water safety skills’, teaching children basic survival swimming skills. Australia is pleased to support Thailand’s efforts to raise awareness about the dangers of child drowning.
The swim clinics build on previous cooperation between Australia and Thailand in both swimming and water safety. In 2010 the Australia-Thailand Institute (ATI) funded a scholarship for Thai swim coach, Mr Sathit Hongthong to attend a four week swim coach development program in Australia and also supported lifesaving education centre project in Phuket. In 2009, ATI supported SwimSafe activities in Samut Prakan and rural Chiang Rai, aimed at teaching children basic water safety skills.
It is hoped the activities will further strengthen the already existing sports cooperation between Australia and Thailand and contribute to efforts to raise awareness on the importance of drowning prevention in Thailand.
Bangkok
Date: 24-25 June, 2013
Venue: Sports Authority of Thailand
Chaiyaphum
Date: 26-27 June, 2013
Venue: Physical Education College, Chaiyaphum