Skills Active Apprentice of the Year winner shares secrets of success

Skills Active Aotearoa has named Mariano Garcia Nani, a passionate swim teacher with big dreams, as the Skills Active Aotearoa Apprentice of the Year for 2019, Nani recently received the award at the Recreation Aotearoa annual conference in Hamilton.

Following his win, Nani has shared the story of how he achieved his goals in a new video. All of the hard work that went into Nani’s training has been captured in the apprenticeship video series. In this video, released today, he shares his passion for swimming and why he loves inspiring his learners to get into the pool and be healthy.

Nani came to New Zealand from Argentina, to pursue his career ambitions of becoming a professional swimming coach. After taking on the role of head coach at the Gore Multisport Complex, he enrolled in the New Zealand Certificate in Aquatics - Specialised Swim and Water Safety Teacher (Level 4).

Nani’s apprenticeship served to add breadth and depth to his experience in swim education. It also expanded his skills and knowledge in the area of adaptive aquatics – teaching swimming to those with disabilities or health conditions.

Every year this title goes to an exceptional apprenticeship graduate who has demonstrated talent, hard work and a commitment to helping others get active, and take part in sport and recreation in their communities.