Presentation to Parliament 26 February 2013
Who is SSA? Swimming South Africa is the governing body of aquatics in South Africa. Our objective is to encourage the practice of aquatic disciplines for all in South Africa with the purpose of promoting swimming as a life skill through Learn To Swim programmes; providing healthy exercise to South Africans of all ages and races; recruiting recreational swimmers to compete in the various competitions; and promoting competition and athlete development to the highest level. Our Vision To be the country where drowning are eradicated and that is ranked top eight in the world of aquatics. Mission To provide aquatic programs and services to the public and our members that will deliver medal winning performances and ensure every South African is a swimmer. We will do this by: Broadening the base of aquatics Achieving success in the international aquatics arena Raising the profile of aquatics
Strategic Objectives Increased participation in aquatic sports Increased finalists and medal winners at domestic and international competitions Improved governance, management & communication of programs and services Transforming Aquatics to be reflective of the demographics of South Africa
Roadmap and Challenges 2008-2012 SSA Strategy delivered medals at all international events; contributed towards SA being a winning nation; Transformation strategy reviewed in 2010 and identified key areas for intervention SSA strategy reviewed in 2012 to deliver results for 2016 Targets squads identified for swimming and para swim for 2016 at the end of 2012 Funding is a major challenge going forward as there are NO COMMITTED funding either public or private sector post March 2013 2012 saw a major (50%) reduction in staffing for Learn to Swim and High Performance programmes; Funding received in 2012 focussed largely on preparation for London 2012; Most international and local events are funded by parents with limited support from SSA resources in some instances Limitations on facilities
Funding Challenges Leading to 2012 Budget: R22m Post 2012: Reduction sponsors R8m Lotto R6m Negative impact on ability to deliver medals and transform
Transformation & Development of South African Sport Lessons from Swimming
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Challenges In most societies elite competitive sport is usually the preserve of the middle classes. This is because of the high costs of achieving sporting excellence: hours of training requiring tailor made education programmes, transportation to training venues several times during the day, travel and accommodation to high level competitions, nationally and internationally, special diets, access to sports scientists, special trainers, special gyms etc. For athletes from disadvantaged communities to access elite sport requires investment of resources from outside the family or community network. Sports organizations can nurture talented youngsters from such communities only on a limited scale no more than a handful can be supported at high performance centers at tremendous cost, and (because we re attempting to nurture youngsters entering into young adulthood) at not insubstantial risk of these youngsters dropping out of the programme at any point. Therefore promoting elite sport among disadvantaged communities on a mass scale is financially non-viable and unrealistic, and even on a selected scale, results in a draining of resources away from mass participation programmes.
Transformation Requires resources Clearly, addressing change requires more than just commitment to the process of transformation. There has to be the commitment to direct resources to the process. In a newly emerging developing country such as South Africa, with considerable demands for social transformation in sectors such as health, education, employment, sporting transformation assumes a lower priority on the national agenda. Is the expectation of unlimited funding from the national fiscus to chase the holy grail of sporting excellence, is both reasonable and justifiable in a country with a high infant mortality rate and low adult literacy rates: do we need to adjust our priorities. Elite sport in disadvantaged communities can be supported by funding from the public and private sector however, this is only sustainable if such funding is consistent over the long term.
Social Expectations The most vocal in our society (the advantaged middle classes with access to mass media and control of sports organizations) will continually demand sporting excellence. The voiceless and disempowered disadvantaged communities do not articulate such ambitions it becomes the responsibility of sporting federations to achieve the balance not in the interests of its limited privileged membership, but in the broader interests of society. A balance between nurturing individual talent from disadvantaged communities and the promotion of mass aquatic sport needs to be achieved.
Strategic Approach Need for Greater resources & commitment Elite Performance Participation Foundation Schools Talent ID & Fast Tracking A ct iv it y Contracting National Teams National & Regional Training Centres Provincial Academies Provincial Swimming Associations Gold Squad Silver Squad Bronze Squad Local Competition Programme Human Resource Development Club Development Pool Slash Rural Splash Ocean Splash Vast majority of Funds; Sponsorship, Government and Lotto
Objective Transformation needs to occur at various levels: community, club, school, provincial and national. The social objective is to achieve seeing ourselves only as South African aquatic sportspersons excluding all notions of "race, colour, culture, ethnicity etc. This mindset must be emphasised constantly so that it becomes an integral part of our makeup, our national character.
Swimming Participants [SA Adults] SWIMMING PARTICIPANTS BY POPULATION GROUP [2009] NUMBER OF ADULT PARTICIPANTS NUNBER OF JUNIOR PARTICIPANTS TOTAL PARTICIPANTS African 192 000 143 900 335 900 White 427 000 80 800 507 800 Coloured 63 000 76 900 139 900 Asian 58 000 36 900 94 900 TOTAL 740 000 338 500 1 078 500 Adult Swimming Participants by Population Group [2009] 8% 58% 8% 26% BLACKS WHITES COLOUREDS INDIANS Copyright_ BMI-Sport Info
Swimming Participants by Gender & Age SPORT [2008] Gender [Percentage] Males Females TOTAL Soccer 90% 10% 100% Golf 84% 16% 100% Road Running 62% 38% 100% Swimming 47% 53% 100% Adult Swimming Participation by Age Group [2009] 28% 23% 32% 17% 18-24 YEARS 25-34 YEARS 35-49 YEARS 50 + YEARS Copyright_ BMI-Sport Info
Swimming Spectators POPULATION GROUP 2009 SWIMMING SPECTATORS ADULTS JUNIORS TOTAL African 2 716 000 1 487 000 4 203 000 White 1 492 000 192 000 1 684 000 Coloured 691 000 192 000 883 000 Asian 271 000 57 000 328 000 Total Swimming Spectators 5 170 000 1 928 000 7 098 000
GOLF SPECTATORS IN SOUTH AFRICA [2009] Swimming Spectators = Crossover Sport Swimming as a spectator sport is extremely well representative amongst all adult population groups, with Blacks accounting for 53%, Whites 29% and Coloured and Asian spectators making up the balance. Similarly swimming is one of just a handful of cross-over sports with the ability to reach all demographics i.e.: LSM1-10, Males & Females, All population groups, Able bodied & Disabled, Young & Old
Popularity Ranking Of Top Spectator Sports ADULT SPECTATOR [2009] ALL WHITES ALL BLACKS ALL ADULTS 1 Rugby Soccer Soccer 2 Cricket Cricket Cricket 3 Athletics Athletics Rugby 4 Swimming Boxing Athletics 5 Tennis Rugby Boxing 6 Golf Swimming Swimming MOST POPULAR JUNIOR SPECTATORS CODES BY POPULATION GROUP [2009] BLACKS WHITES COLOUREDS ASIANS 1 Soccer Rugby Soccer Cricket 2 Cricket Cricket Rugby Soccer 3 Athletics Athletics Cricket Athletics 4 Rugby Swimming Athletics Motor Racing 5 Swimming Motor Racing Swimming Swimming
Swimming Participants by LSM SPORT PARTICIPANTS BY LSM GROUP [2009] LSM 1-4 LSM 5-6 LSM 7-8 LSM 9-10 LSM 5-10 Soccer 44% 32% 15% 9% 56% Netball 37% 33% 20% 10% 63% Road Running 31% 28% 19% 22% 69% Swimming 26% 30% 22% 22% 74% SPORT [2009] Total # Of Participants [x 1000] LSM 5-10 Participants [x 1000] LSM 7-10 Participants [x 1000] Soccer 2 385 1 336 572 Netball 1 058 667 317 Road Running 1 102 760 452 Swimming 740 681 540 Source: BMI Report on Swimming 2010
Learn To Swim Since 1999 the percentage of black participants has increased dramatically from just 15% to more than 25% of total swimmers in the country (BMI Adult SportTrack Nov 2008). Activities under the Learn to Swim programme involves establishing partnerships with national & provincial government, local authorities, tertiary institutions, other sporting organisations, fitness centres and media. During the previous season, through the Rural Splash programme in partnership with Department of Water Affairs & Forestry (DWAF) it reached almost 570 000 learners across 793 schools. It was active in 134 districts across the country, involving almost 793 volunteers in its programmes. SSA continues to implement new structures and programmes in line with its development and growth strategies for the sport.
Portable Pools The addition of the PORTA POOL PROGRAME has now made it possible for under resourced areas to have access to water and has thus enabled the wider roll-out of this program. The installation of portable pools in schools has allowed for greater access to the programme particularly in the rural areas. Swimming in the rivers or dams is an extension of the portable pool project in the sense that once learners are comfortable in water they are taken to open water environments for stroke corrections and endurance training in order to participate in our water events This strong commitment to the Learn to Swim program has, and will continue to help the Telkom brand and associated products and services to achieve not only maximum awareness and association at all levels but also Share of Heart. As part of our growth & development strategy, calls for the further roll-out of an additional 50 Porta-pools in selected rural schools throughout the country over this period.
Objective in context Transformation, organisational change or social change is therefore a complex task facing sporting federations and in our sport in particular. Increasing the representivity of our sport implies a wide range of factors, including race, gender, the disabled and the rural poor. With small steps, recognising the immense socioeconomic challenges facing our attempts at transformation, we can begin building an aquatic organisation that is not only representative, but socially responsive to the needs of all South Africans. One of the key steps to that process is returning to the approaches of rebuilding community based swimming as steps to ensuring Every South African a swimmer
Key outputs were identified These were: 1. An organisational framework which is representative and accountable 2. Equitable distribution of funds in SSA between mass participation and elite programmes, with a self sustaining financial model 3. SSA actively promotes school aquatic sport 4. SSA engages with all tiers of Government to ensure support and integration into their programmes 5. SSA actively promotes disabled aquatic sport 6. SSA promotes aquatic sport in rural areas, strengthens learn-to-swim and mass participation programmes 7. All aquatic disciplines are strengthened 8. A coaching development programme is implemented 9. New community based clubs are establishing and existing community based clubs are strengthened
High Performance 26 February 2013
Outline
Medal Table London 2012 1 United States of America 16 9 6 31 2 People's Republic of 5 2 3 10 China 3 France 4 2 1 7 4 Netherlands 2 1 1 4 5 South Africa 2 1 0 3 6 Hungary 2 0 1 3 7 Australia 1 6 3 10 8 Tunisia 1 0 1 2 9 Lithuania 1 0 0 1 10 Japan 0 3 8 11
BACKGROUND Background we have aligned our strategies with the LTPD Model and SASCOC s strategic objectives Focus on support and development of swimming talent for the 2016 and 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Developed squad system to increase our pool of talent for the future, with various levels of support, dependent on available resources. The squads are: Senior Youth Junior
Objectives The objective for the establishment of the squad system is to: Identify athletes that will deliver medal winning performances at senior international competitions and at the 2016 and 2020 Olympic Games; Facilitate support services to athletes identified; Expose identified athletes to international competition Ensure the future makeup of our senior teams is representative of the demographics of the country.
Indicators For Success Number of medals won at major international competitions. Number of Semifinals and Finals achieved at major international competitions (Olympic Games and World Championships). Number of athletes appearing in the World rankings.
Goals Short Term: The development of future national team members Medal winning performances and finalists at major international competitions including 2012 FINA World Championships (25m) 2013 FINA World Championships (50m)
Goals Medium - Long Term: Medal winning performances and finalists at major international competitions including Commonwealth Games 2014 2015 FINA World Championships (50m) Rio Olympic Games 2016
Junior Squad Selected on annually Selection take place after the SA National Level 3 Championships of each year. The career pathway for this group is focused on creating a transition into international competition and to broaden our potential base of swimmers for international participation.
Junior - Selection Swimmers in the age groups 13/14/15 years, participating at the SA National Level 3 Championships will be considered for selection. 1 st ranked swimmer in Olympic events in above age groups will be considered for selection. Any black swimmers achieving a top 16 ranking within the specified age criteria will be considered for selection. Discretionary inclusion by the SSA High Performance Department
Junior - Focus 2 National or Regional Local Camps Junior Continental Competitions such as Junior Africa Champs, Zone 6, Zone 4 Eligible for selection for senior continental competition Life Skills Training Education related to national expectations, federation strategic imperatives and athlete pathway.
Youth Squad This squad is selected on an annual basis. Selection will take place after the SA Senior National Championships of each year. The career pathway for this group is focused on creating a seamless transition into major senior international competition. Athletes that are eligible for major junior international competitions will have the goals of providing medal-winning performances at these competitions.
Youth - Selection Athletes between the ages of 16 to 19 years old will be considered for selection. The top 2 ranked athletes at the SA National Level 3 Age Group Championships and SA Senior National Championships participating in Olympic Events will be considered for selection. Athletes participating in the finals at the SA National Level 3 Age Group Championships and SA Senior National Championships in Olympic Events will be considered for selection. Any black swimmers achieving a top 16 ranking within the specified age criteria will be considered for selection. Discretionary inclusion by the SSA High Performance Department
Youth - Focus Local and international Training Camps Identified Senior and major Junior International Competitions which include Youth Olympic Games, World Short Course, Junior Africa Champs and FINA World Youth Champs. Sports Science Support Services
Senior Squad This squad is selected on annual basis. Selection will take place after SA Senior National Championships each year.
Senior - Selection Nationals Champions. 2 nd placed finishers at SA Senior National Championships. Any athlete achieving 850 or more points in final of an Olympic Event at the SA Senior National Championships. Athletes will be considered for selection for Relay teams Any black swimmers achieving a top 16 ranking will be considered for selection.
Senior - Focus Local and international training Camps International competition experience and exposure African Senior Champs, World Short Course, World Champs, Commonwealth Games, Olympic Games.
Four Year Plan Macro Cycle 1 Sept: Senior Africa Championships, Kenya Senior & Junior swimmers Oct: FINA World Cup (short course), Mid east/europe Senior & Junior swimmers Cycle 1: 9/12-12/12 Nov: FINA World Cup (short course), Asia Dec: FINA World Short Course, Istanbull, Turkey Dec: Zone 6 under 20 games, Zambia Senior & Junior swimmers Senior & Junior swimmers Youth swimmers Jan: Tri-nations, Australia Senior & Junior swimmers 2012/2013 Cycle 2: 1/13-4/13 Feb: Open Water International, Midmar March: SA Age level Championships April: World Championships Trials/Nat Champs, PE Open Water Swimmers All qualifiers Youth & Snr Nat qualifiers Zone 3 & 4 Championships Junior & Youth swimmers May: Home preparation & Medical 2016 squad Cycle 3: 5/13-8/13 June: Mare Nostrum racing, Europe July: Training camp, Italy World Champs Team & Senior swimmers World Champs Team July: World University Games, Russia University swimmers Aug: FINA Aquatic World Championships, Barcelona All qualifiers Aug: SA Short course Championships All qualifiers
Four Year Plan Macro Cycle 2 2013/2014 Sept: De-brief on World Championships & Medical 2016 squad Sept: Junior training camp Junior squad Cycle 1: 9/13-12/13 Oct: FINA World Cup (short course), Mid east/europe Senior & Junior swimmers Nov: FINA World Cup (short course), Asia Senior & Junior swimmers Dec: Senior Training Camp Senior squad Jan: Tri-nations, Australia Senior & Junior swimmers Feb: Open Water International, Midmar Open Water swimmers Cycle 2: 1/14-4/14 March: SA Age level Championships All qualifiers April: Commonwealth Trials/Nat Champs Youth & Snr Nat qualifiers Cycle 3: 5/14-8/14 Zone 3 & 4 Championships May: Home preparation & Medical 2016 squad June: Mare Nostrum racing, Europe July: Training camp, Italy July: Commonwealth Games, Glasgow Aug: Youth Olympic Games, China Aug: Pan Pacific Championships Aug: Senior Africa Championships Aug: Staff de brief Commonwealth Aug: SA Short course Championships Junior & youth swimmers World Champs Team & Senior swimmers World Champs Team Commonwealth team Youth Olympic team USA based swimmers Senior & Junior swimmers All qualifiers
Four Year Plan Macro Cycle 3 2014/2015 Sept: Assess results from Commonwealth & Medicals Sept: Junior training camp Oct: FINA World Cup (short course), Mid east/europe Cycle 1: 9/14-12/14 Nov: FINA World Cup (short course), Asia Dec: FINA World Short Course Dec: Zone 6 under 20 games Jan: Tri-nations, Australia Feb: Open Water International, Midmar Cycle 2: 1/15-4/15 March: SA Age level Championships April: World Championships Trials/Nat Champs Cycle 3: 5/15-8/15 Zone 3 & 4 Championships May: Home preparation & Medical 2016 squad Junior squad Senior & Junior swimmers Senior & Junior swimmers Senior & Junior swimmers Youth Squad Senior & Junior swimmers Open Water swimmers All qualifiers Youth & Snr Nat qualifiers Junior & youth swimmers June: USA Circuit World Champs Team & 2016 Squad July: Training camp, USA July: Camp, Germany July: FINA World Championships July: FINA Word Youth Championships July: University Games Aug: Commonwealth Youth Games Aug: Africa Senior Championships Aug: Junior Africa Championships Aug: SA Short course Championships Aug: De brief & plans for 2016 World Champs Team & 2016 Squad World Champs Team All qualifiers Junior & youth swimmers University swimmers Commonwealth team Senior & Junior swimmers Youth & Junior swimmers All qualifiers
Four Year Plan Macro Cycle 4 Sept: Medical 2016 squad Sept: Junior training camp Junior squad Cycle 1: 9/15-12/15 Oct: FINA World Cup (short course), Mid east/europe Nov: FINA World Cup (short course), Asia Tier 1 & 2-2016 Squad Tier 1 & 2-2016 Squad Dec: USA Open Championships 2016 Squad Jan: Olympic Squad Training Camp, Brazil 2016 Squad Feb: Open Water International, Midmar Open Water Squad 2015/2016 Cycle 2: 1/16-4/16 March: Racing in Europe March: SA Age level Championships 2016 Squad All qualifiers April: Olympic Trials/Nat Champs Youth & Snr Nat qualifiers Zone 3 & 4 Championships Junior & youth swimmers May: Home preparation & Medical June: USA Circuit Olympic Team Olympic Team Cycle 3: 5/16-8/16 July: Training camp, USA July: FINA Junior Championships Olympic Team Youth & tier 2 squad July: Holding Camp, Bahamas Olympic Team Aug: Olympic Games, Rio Olympic Team
Thank You