RLSSA Training Academy to promote aquatic safety

The Royal Life Saving Society has launched Australia's first specialised training centre for aquatic safety.

The Aquatic Safety Training Academy, a $6.5 million state-of-the-art facility, located in the western Sydney suburb of Seven Hills, features a 25 metre training pool, a 20 metre program pool as well as seminar and training rooms.

As Facility Manager Roz Hughes explains, "the Aquatic Safety Training Academy is a benchmark facility for the delivery of the highest quality vocational education and training in Australia."

Sited at the Hills Sports High School, the new facility has been developed thanks to the generous support of the NSW and Commonwealth Governments, enabling Royal Life Saving to continue to deliver high quality water safety education programs.

David Macallister, Chief Executive of the Royal Life Saving Society NSW, adds "we will be providing both recreational and vocational education and training programs to all members of the community, including students, teachers, parents, emergency service workers and aquatic and recreation industries."

The Academy will also provide the Society's Mobile Indigenous Training Unit with a central base to carry out Indigenous specific initiatives adapted to meet the various needs of the Indigenous and culturally and linguistically diverse communities across NSW. 45 Indigenous children from around Sydney are set to currently undertaking their first 10 week swimming program at the Academy thanks to money raised by local fundraising events.

Thousands of other children will also be learning valuable water safety skills while having fun in the water by participating in Royal Life Saving's Swim and Survive program. Swim and Survive is a national water safety program which aims to reduce drowning numbers by fostering knowledge and understanding of water safety skills, while promoting responsible fun in and around water.

As Macallister concludes âour motto is everybody can be a lifesaver (and) we want to train as many people as possible and ultimately reduce the number of drowning deaths in Australia."

For more information go to www.aquaticacademy.com.au 

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