Learn to Swim Victoria
in the Media

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December 2023

SWIM Jobs Victoria Makes Waves: A Safer Summer for Victorian Kids

In a significant stride toward water safety, SWIM Jobs Victoria, a collaborative effort between SWIM Coaches & Teachers Australia and Jobs Victoria, has marked a triumphant success, ensuring a safer summer for Victorian families.
 
The partnership celebrated its achievements on National Water Safety Day, revealing impressive statistics that underscore the program's impact. A remarkable 14,478 extra swimming lessons have been created, with 446 individuals acquiring swim teacher qualifications. Importantly, 369 people have been successfully placed in employment within swim schools across the state.
 
As Victoria grappled with a 26% increase in drowning deaths last year, SWIM Jobs Victoria responded proactively. President Joanne Love expressed her delight, stating that the program surpassed all expectations.
 
"SWIM Jobs Victoria significantly revitalised the aquatic sector after covid impacted the industry so heavily. Fast forward a year, and the industry is celebrating hundreds of new careers, enhanced business efficiency for close to 100 aquatic facilities, and is fundamentally contributing to lifesaving efforts," said Joanne Love.
 
The streamlined hiring process of SWIM Jobs Victoria proved to be a game-changer for businesses. Candidates were well-vetted and eager; seamlessly integrating into their teams, bringing immeasurable time and cost savings.
 
Further supporting these positive outcomes, a program evaluation by Victoria University emphasized the broad social, economic, mental, physical health, and community benefits derived from SWIM Jobs Victoria.
 
As the success stories continue to unfold, SWIM Jobs Victoria stands as a beacon of progress in the pursuit of water safety, fostering not only careers but also the well-being of communities across Victoria. You can listen to a recent interview HERE.
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July 2023

NSC Debates the Ongoing Relevance of the 50m Olympic Pool

An excellent debate was held at the National Sports & Physical Activity Convention (NSC) on the ongoing relevance of the 50m pool facilitated by our CEO Justin Scarr.

Arguing in favour of the 50m pool, Joanne Love, President of Swim Coaches and Teachers Australia, provided a passionate discussion about the inspiration provided by Olympic athletes to young swimmers and reinforced the importance of equitable access to training facilities for young athletes.

Read the rest of the article here.

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July 2023

Celebration NAIDOC Week in LTSV

In celebration of NAIDOC Week, we are thrilled to announce our support for Victoria's Aboriginal community in their pursuit of swim teaching. Through a specially designed program, a few of our staff members have participated, and are now fully fledged swim teachers. We are proud to witness their growth and commitment to promoting water safety within the community. Together, we are making a positive impact and empowering individuals with essential swim teaching skills. Let's continue to foster a culture of inclusivity and opportunity for all.

Watch the video here.

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May 2023

LTSV Director Joanne Love meets Olympic legend Grant Hackett at Brisbane 32 Legacy Round Table

We are proud to share that our very own Director, Joanne Love, recently had the opportunity to meet with Olympic legend Grant Hackett at the Brisbane 32 legacy round table in Melbourne. Joanne, who is also the President of SWIM Coaches & Teachers Australia (SCTA), discussed legacy planning for the upcoming 2032 Olympics in Brisbane with Hackett, who serves as the committee chair.

At Learn to Swim Victoria, we believe in fostering a culture of excellence in swimming education. This means staying up to date with the latest industry developments and networking with other industry leaders to share knowledge and best practices. Joanne's participation in this round table is just one example of our commitment to staying at the forefront of the swimming industry and providing the best possible education for our students.

We are excited to see what the future holds for Australian swimming and are proud to be a part of it.

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April 2023

First Nations Swim Teachers Make a Splash in Victoria

We're thrilled to have our staff be a part of the Jobs Victoria Initiative, in partnership with SWIM Coaches and Teachers Australia. Here's to more and more diversity in the swim industry!

Read the article here.

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January 2023

New report estimates children missed 10 million swimming lessons

A report from The Royal Life Saving Society has estimated that children have missed out on 10 million swimming lessons over the course of the COVID pandemic. Joanne Love, director of LTSV, addresses this situation and stresses the importance of swimming lessons to ensure water safety in this interview from ABC.

Watch the interview here.

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January 2023

Water warning after horror 48 hours in Victoria

Victorians are being urged to take care around the water today after three drowning deaths and a slew of near misses in the past 48 hours. Yesterday, a 17-year-old died at Mordialloc and a man in his 30s died after a medical episode in a lake near Albury-Wodonga. Meanwhile, a 19-year-old died at Lorne on Christmas Day. Director of Learn to Swim Victoria, Joanne Love, said the most important thing people can do is “have somebody with you when you swim”.

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November 2022

Joanne Love emphasises the importance of Learn to Swim programs for water safety

Over 60% of Australian parents are unsure if their children can safely swim in pools or water bodies. Joanne Love catches up with the 3AW to talk about the importance of water safety and Learn to Swim programs in celebration of Swim Safer Week 2022.

Listen to the interview here: https://vimeo.com/775863343
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September 2022

LTSV Director Joanne Love says Victoria has a shortage in primary-school swim instructors

Director of Learn To Swim Victoria, Joanne Love, says swim schools don’t have enough teachers to meet demand, so primary school swimming lessons have been ditched for many children.

“The government is trying to make it compulsory but actually the swim schools don’t have enough instructors,” she told Ross and Russel.

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May 23, 2022

LTSV attends press con with Sports Minister Pakula for the FINA World Short Course 2022

At the Press Conference today, as Sports Minister Martin Pakula announced Melbourne will be hosting the FINA World Short Course (25m) Swimming Championships from December 13 to 18 2022.

Make sure you secure your tickets when released to see the best swimmers in the world battle it out!

If you love swimming, this is one event not to be missed.

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January 2022

Joanne Love appears on the 3AW Breakfast with Ross and Russel to talk about Swim Safety

LTSV director Joanne Love joins the 3AW Breakfast with Ross and Russel in this episode to stress the importance of swim safety, especially for children. With the current spike of drownings in Australia, LTSV is campaigning more than ever for families to prioritise their kids' swim lessons. You can never go wrong with being prepared!
 
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December 2021

Learn to Swim Vic wins Best All Ages Swim School Award at the 2021 Corporate Vision Awards

Learn to Swim Victoria has been recognised as the Best All-Ages Swim School by the 2021 Corporate Vision Awards! We are very stoked for this, and we know we wouldn't get here without our skilled swim teachers and their amazing work.
 
Corporate Vision is a digital platform that supports small businesses worldwide, circulating to over 155,000 business all over the globe.
 
Thank you for your support, LTSV community! We are ready to bring you more years of quality swim instruction from babies to adults.
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November 26, 2021

Staying safe in water after time out from swimming (Podcast Guesting)

Joanne Love, LTSV director and Michael Nicassio, one of our awesome swim teachers join ABC radio in this highly-informative podcast episode about safe swimming after taking a break from swim lessons. COVID may still be at large, but that doesn't mean we all should forget about staying safe in water!
Listen to the Episode Here

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November 2021

Learn to Swim Director Joanne Love is our SwimSAFER Week Ambassador

Learn to Swim Victoria's very own Joanne Love is one of the ambassadors from around Australia as we launch Swim SAFER Week. Our ambassadors will be meeting with media and providing industry wide coverage for SwimSAFER Week and the Swim it Forward initiative. Focusing on water safety and learn to swim and announcing our supporting partner PJ MASKS.

Learn more about SwimSAFER week and Swim It Forward here

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September 2021

An In-depth Chat with the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics GM Adam Pine

ICYMI, Swimming Australia’s Paralympic General Manager Adam Pine joined Joanne Love on Monday night for some insight into the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games and his experience with the Australian Dolphins Swim Team 🐬

Watch the replay here.

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July 2021

Learn to Swim Victoria Director Joanne Love shared her knowledge and information with Julie Sheldrake resulting in an interview on Channel Ten to highlight the dire state of the Learn to Swim schools Australia wide.

The lockdowns have caused an alarming situation, with some children being away from swim lessons for the last 18 months. We have witnessed a 300% increase in drownings from July to September 2020. Alarmingly this trend has continued with a 600% drowning increase in the last 12 months. Please see the link below for the press release and interview.

Watch the video here | Sign the petition here

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June 2021

LTSV director Joanne Love pushes forward to create more opportunities for swimming organisations around the world in an interview with Australian Leisure Management Magazine

LTSV 3AW News Talk
January 2021

LTSV on Preventing Drowning Cases in Australia Through Swim Classes

Increased drowning cases in Australia have led Tom Elliot of 3AW News Talk to ask, “What has changed? When I was young, I didn’t know anybody who couldn’t swim." Joanne Love comes on the radio talk to discuss how there are more children nowadays who don't know how to swim or hold themselves afloat in water, and the various factors that cause less people knowing about this vital life skill. Click here to listen to the episode snippet

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November 2020

SwimSafer

Learn to Swim Victoria Director, Joanne Love is the SwimSAFER Ambassador in Metro Victoria, so stay tuned for great initatives and information over the next week as we spread the vital message in learning to swim to the wider community and industry.

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October 2020

International Swimming Conference

Joanne presented at one of the largest online events in swimming, water activities and water management in the world. Her topic provided valuable information on how psychology and neuroscience are strong allies in the development of the individual and the athlete

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September 2020

Swimming World Magazine

Lawrence and the Director of Learn To Swim Victoria, Joanne Love are afraid that if pools throughout the pandemic stricken State (and not just in regional Victoria) are not given the green light to re-open it will put kids lives at risk.

Read more here

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July 30, 2020

Ticker TV

Ticker TV is an independent broadcasting network with content focusing on news, business, tech and entertainment. Joanne joined David Davutovic at Ticker TV to discuss the Japan Olympics, the impact of Covid-19 on the Swimming industry and the role Government needs to play in supporting the swimming industry.
Watch here:
https://tinyurl.com/y649m5hh

 
 
 
 
 
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June 25, 2020

Swimming Victoria Article

Our Developing Young Leaders Program is always an important fixture on the Swimming Victoria calendar and this year even more so. With many swimmers out of the water and competitions suspended, there has never been a better time for our athletes to focus on their personal and professional development. Read more here:
https://tinyurl.com/yc8o34gt

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May 19, 2020

DROWNING DEATHS TO SPIKE POST-LOCKDOWN, INSTRUCTOR WARNS

Thousands of children missing out on vital learn to swim lessons due to lockdown could be in danger come summer, as water basics regress. And we might not see the full effects for another 10 years. See Herald Sun article for more details: https://tinyurl.com/ya2r7vc7

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May 4 2020

LIFELINE FOR STRUGGLING HEIDELBERG SWIM SCHOOL

A Heidelberg swim centre is forking out thousands of dollars a week to maintain a closed pool, as the cost of coronavirus bites. But it says a government’s refusal for fee relief could spell the end of the popular centre. See Herald Sun article for more details: https://tinyurl.com/yd6b7cd2

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January 6, 2018

SCHOOLS PROGRAM BACK IN DEEP END

Victoria's school swim program needs its funding doubled so children can learn to swim before they leave primary school, Life Saving Victoria says. See Herald Sun article for more details: https://tinyurl.com/yamwtzb6

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November 2022

Joanne Love explains why babies should be having swimming lessons from just six months

LTSV is featured in the Herald Sun in their article "Why babies should be having swimming lessons from just six months". In this article, Joanne Love talks about the advantages of kids learning swimming and water safety skills very early on in their developmental years.

Read the full article here: http://bit.ly/3gp9PZJ
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July 2022

LTSV on SBS News for PJ Masks + Swim It Forward Campaign

Research shows that 55% of Australian children can’t afford to enrol in swimming lessons. With drowning as a real threat to our kids’ safety, it’s important to be able to provide swimming lessons as an accessible option for all.
 
Swim Australia in partnership with PJ Masks has launched Swim It Forward, an initiative to help get kids from families in need enrolled in swimming lessons by taking out the financial barrier. Swim It Forward aims to lower the risk of drowning deaths by placing more children into swimming programs to increase skills and confidence in the water. $20 is all it takes to get one child into a swimming lesson.
 
On World Drowning Prevention Day, Swim Australia in partnership with PJ Masks, has launched Swim It Forward, an initiative to help get kids from families in need enrolled in swimming lessons by taking out the financial barrier. Swim It Forward aims to lower the risk of drowning deaths by placing more children into swimming programs to increase skills and confidence in the water. $20 is all it takes to get one child into a swimming lesson.
 
Watch the video here: https://vimeo.com/733814150
Donate: http://www.swimitforward.org.au/
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January 2022

Swim lessons continue to be cancelled as shortages of swim teachers rise

Shortages of Swim Teachers is an industry wide issue. There are many families not able to enrol in classes as swim schools are lacking instructors. Our Director Joanne Love has worked tirelessly behind the scenes to create the Jobs Victoria Swimming Teacher initiative between the ASCTA and the Victorian Government. Our industry is is need of swim teachers, so if you are keen to join us or want a career change, please feel free to contact you local swim school. Thank you @Channel 7 for highlighting the swim teacher shortage.
 
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January 2022

LTSV Director Joanne Love stresses the importance of Swim Safety as rate of drownings increase in Victoria

Learn to Swim Victoria is dedicated to helping families discover the joy of swimming. But we are concerned about the current increase in drownings this Summer. Swim Australia research revealed 54% of children are not learning to swim, with 27% forced out of lessons due to COVID restrictions and 28% unable to find class availability at their local swim school.
Watch the full news coverage here
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November 26, 2021

Victorian beaches to be patrolled by lifesavers well past Easter next year (3AW Radio Interview)

In this radio interview with 3AW Breakfast with Ross and Russell, Joanne Love talks about how COVID-19 has changed the way our beach and swim safety measures are implemented in Victoria. While normally beach patrols last only til Easter, this year it'll be extended.

Listen to the Episode Here

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November 15, 2021

LTSV Director Joanne Love TV Interview on SwimSAFER Week 2021

What a great start to SwimSafer Week at Learn to Swim Victoria 2021. Great to have our SwimSafer Ambassador and Learn to Swim Victoria Founder Joanne Love featuring Catboy from PJ mask in the media today!!! And our friends at @PJ Masks have some great safety tips to share. Tip 1: Never swim without supervision!

Watch the Video Here

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October 20, 2021

LTSV and Opposition Leader Matthew Guy call for pools reopening to help keep kids safe in water throughout the pandemic

Learn to Swim Victoria held a press conference at our pool with Opposition Leader Matthew Guy to get our pools opened as quickly as possibly. Learn to Swim Victoria welcomes this commitment and strongly supports this common sense plan to reopen indoor pools. Swimming ability and confidence is an essential life skill. Getting our swim schools back up and running must be a priority.

Read More
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August 2021

And... That's a wrap!

Behind every athlete is a dedicated and committed coach. And this week Joanne was extremely honoured to engage with those successful Tokyo Olympic Coaches following the games.

Firstly, with Swimming Australia Head Coach Rohan Taylor, who shared some incredible insights from Tokyo. Followed later in the week when Joanne had the opportunity to delve deeper with a Panel of successful Olympic Coaches. They openly shared their stories, learnings, and experience to assist our promising Australian and International Coaches listening in.

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June 2021

Learn to Swim Victoria enacts Lockdown Bonus initiative in response to Victoria's 4.0 Circuit Breaker Lockdown to help its employees

How do we support our greatest asset - our employees? The current lockdown measures make it hard for workers all over Australia to make a consistent, liveable income. Learn to Swim Victoria, in line with its core values of leadership, puts forward a Lockdown Bonus for its hardworking swim coaches and other employees.

Read the article here

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April 2021

Joanne Love, President of the Australian Swim Coaches and Teachers Association is on the Gold Coast for The Australian Age National Championships

As the new president of the Australian Swim Coaches and Teachers Association (ASCTA), Joanne Love comes to the Gold Coast for the Australian Age National Championships, as well as to check out the venue for the upcoming September Conference. Click here to watch the full video

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November 2020

Herald Sun

Children missing swimming lessons and a shortage of instructors has heightened fears of arising death toll in Victoria, not just this summer but for years to come. Learning to Swim is a lifesaving skill that every children should know. Click here to read more

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October 2020

ARV Emerging Leader Nominee

Congratulations to Eric Du - Learn to Swim Victoria General Manager, who was one of the four finalists in the running for the Aquatics and Recreation Victoria Emerging Leader Award. He may not have been a winner today, but he is always a winner at Learn to Swim Victoria. Well Done Eric on being a finalist.

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September 2020

We all Swim Together

Aussie swim stars Michael Klim and Andrew Lauterstein join“We All Swim Together” campaign to urge Victoria to re-open its pools. Along with Swimming Australia’s head coach Rohan Taylor, Learn To Swim Victoria Director Joanne Love and Swimming Victoria CEO Jason Hellwig encourage the re-opening of Victorian pools.

Watch here

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August 2020

Swimming and COVID-19

Swimming Pools and their operations are often a misunderstood environment. Through lack of knowledge and, incorrect assumptions, decisions are being made that severely and negatively impact a highly regulated industry. Joanne has been instrumental in providing academic based recommendations about post Covid-19 policies in the industry, including for Swimming Victoria. You can read her article "Exploring the Relationship Between Swimming Pools and COVID-19" here: https://tinyurl.com/yyqbunmv

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July 10, 2020

Touchpad Newsletter Swimming VIC

In this difficult time, we need to bolster swimmers so that the focus is not just on their physical health, but their mental health. As coaches and parents, we have a huge part to play in shaping this aspect of their lives. In Swimming Victoria's Newsletter, Joanne discussed the importance of not comparing ourselves to others in the sporting world and life.
Read more here:

https://tinyurl.com/yxwyedh3

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June 25, 2020

Aquatic Mentor Podcast

The Aquatic Mentor podcast brings aquatic professionals together to learn from the experiences of others while developing a united industry through support and education. Learn to Swim Victoria's very own General Manager Eric Du shares his experience in the aquatic and administration industry with host Katrina van Eyk. Listen here:
https://tinyurl.com/yapx8ogd

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May 6, 2020

DRIVING PERFORMANCE

In this strange times, what worked yesterday won't work tomorrow. Which means how you act, how you deliver and how you connect has been turned upside down. Joanne presented online to the worldwide Swim Teaching community the necessary skills needed to reengage staff and people for exceptional performance

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Jan 11, 2020

WORLD AQUATIC DEVELOPMENT CONFERENCE - SWEDEN

Joanne Love spoke at the Swedish Conference on “Examining Goal Setting, Mental Toughness and Athletic Well-Being in Competitive Adolescent Swimmers”

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August 22, 2017

Joanne appeared on the “THE SPORTS INDUSTRY ACCESS PODCASTS"

Learn from today’s experts in the sports industry with The Sports Career Podcast, an interview series from education2sport.com, founder Ed Bowers. Joanne provides sports career guidance, tips, and advice tailored for university students & graduates who want to pursue a career in the sports. Listen here: https://tinyurl.com/y96lwteh