‘So far so good’ – swimming coach

Barbadian Dave Farmer, who is conducting a six-month training programme with the local amateur swimming association, says he is pleased with his work and the response to his efforts.{{more}}

Farmer is certified by FINA, the international governing body of swimming, diving, water polo, synchronized swimming and open water swimming.

“The project is going well. We have seen great progress … So far so good,” Farmer, who is into his third month, told SEARCHLIGHT last Tuesday at the Shrewsbury Pool at Ratho Mill.

Farmer, who makes regular visits, is this time on a three-week stay.

He said part of the success has to do with the introduction of aquatics to the schools.

“The Girls’ High School has been the first to get on board on the schools’ programme. … Approximately 60 students have the opportunity to learn a sport which has a great social value and a healthy lifestyle attached to it,” he said.

“From this programme, we are hoping to see some new competitive swimmers on the scene and we are hoping that other secondary schools and the primary schools will come on board, as we have plans to introduce three or four schools in the programme. … We are targeting at least 250 children per week to get an introduction to swimming,” Farmer further stated.

The coach’s main task here is to empower the leadership and coaching fraternity to do better and take the sport to another level.

Also, during his visits, Farmer has helped with the coaching of the St Vincent and the Grenadines team, which will compete in the OECS junior championships next month in Antigua and Barbuda.

In assessing the actual performance of the swimmers over the last three months, Farmer said: “The swimmers have improved, they are learning that they have to work harder in order to do well regionally … The work ethics have to be upgraded, but that is understood, as that is true not only of St Vincent, but all of the other Caribbean islands”.

Farmer said he has observed that the sport is gaining popularity and the next step is to infiltrate the community.

“We want to have a programme, where we have the sports leaders in the communities, along with the physical education teachers at the various schools, whether for competitive reasons or social reasons,” he said of the next step in the initiative.

Farmer is calling on interested persons to contact any member of the SVGASA, so that the initiative can jump off.

He said he is hopeful that the programme will commence on his next 12-day visit, later this month.

Farmer’s stint is being financed by the National Olympic Committee, through Olympic Solidarity, the funding arm of the International Olympic Committee.

The six-month course is said to cost US$30,000 (EC$81,000). (RT)