Japanese Swim Squad Trains at Ivanhoe’s Sports and Aquatic Centre
Ivanhoe Grammar School is thrilled to host the Japan Deaf Swim Association at their Sports and Aquatic Centre in Ivanhoe. The Japan Deaf Swim Association is so impressed with the 50-metre, fully FINA-accredited Olympic-sized swimming pool, having sent scouts to Australia earlier in the year to find a suitable training facility. Having a similar sub-tropical climate to Argentina made Melbourne a desirable destination as the team familiarises themselves with the environment and trains for the upcoming Sixth Deaf Swimming World championships in Argentina.
Aquatics Manager Katrina Gevaux is delighted to be able to host the Japanese Deaf Swim Team.
‘We have created an environment that is foreign to the swimmers and similar to what they might expect in Argentina, whilst also having a solid training block during this period. It has been lovely to be able to open the swimming pool beyond our local community to an overseas team.’ she said.
Ivanhoe Grammar School Swim Head Coach Ako Kusafuka has been instrumental in making connections with the Japanese Deaf Swim Team.
‘I became friends with the Japan Multi-class team at the Victorian Open Swimming Championships of 2019. We had an idea to bring the team to train in Australia and then COVID-19 happened. With Japan reopening for travel and the fabulous sports facility at Ivanhoe opening we were able to organise a training camp at the school,’ she explained.
The swimmers have been working hard every day to accomplish their tasks and refine their skills with the ultimate goal to win more than nine medals at the Sixth World Deaf Swimming Championships.
The possibilities are endless at the Sports and Aquatic Centre with a flourishing Swimming Lessons Program open to the general public and Ivanhoe Swim, a brand-new swim club launching this July 2023.
We wish the team all the success at the Argentina World Championships, running from Sunday 13 August to Saturday 19 August 2023.
