Former Australian Olympic medallists to run swim clinics in Chaiyaphum
21 June 2013
Former Australian Olympic medallists Geoff Huegill and Bill Kirby will visit Thailand from 24 to 28 June 2013. In addition to delivering swim clinics in Bangkok, two swimmers will travel to Chaiyaphum province, the home town of Huegill’s mother, to deliver training activities for Thai swimming coaches and children in the area.
The Australian Embassy has partnered with the Sports Authority of Thailand and the Thailand Swimming Association to deliver a program aimed at sharing Australian swimming expertise with Thai swimming coaches and professional swimmers. The program will promote drowning prevention through the delivery of water safety skills to young Thai children. Australia is pleased to support Thailand’s efforts to raise awareness about the dangers of child drowning.
The Chaiyaphum swim clinics will be conducted at the Chaiyaphum Institute of Physical Education.
26 June 2013
• 8.00 am: Press conference and the opening ceremony
• 9.30 am: ‘Learn to swim and water safety’ session for a group of students from the Beaumont Ruam Pattana School. The Beaumont school was established by an Australian philanthropist and founder of the Beaumont Partnership Foundation, Mr Timothy Beaumont. The school provides education for underprivileged Children.
• 1.30 pm: Swim clinic focusing on butterfly and sprint Swimming for Silver Licence Swim coaches
27 June 2013
• 8.30 am: Swim clinic continues
• 1.30 pm: ‘Learn to swim and water safety skills’ session for children
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.
Australia has supported several swimming projects in Thailand. In 2010, the Australia-Thailand Institute (ATI) funded the Phuket Lifesaving Education Centre project. ATI also granted an Elite Swimming Coach Scholarship to to attend training in Melbourne to a Thai swimming coach from Chalermprakiat Youth Centre, Mr Sathit Hongthong.