Press Release courtesy of Beyond the Black Line
Australian Swimming Association (ASA) are wading in to help young teenagers tackle the pressures and the uncertainty of school and social situations, compound by swim training and competition.
Beyond the Black Line is a new online platform and face to face workshop program created for the swimming community. BTBL opens up the conversation and shares real stories from others involved in the sport to assist in alleviating anxiety, stress and loneliness that can be experienced by young professional sports stars.
The journey for any young teenager is tough to navigate. We know sport and being active is great for kids but when puberty hits, pressure increases and many young adults are often lost to the sport. The ASA recognised these issues and wanted to create a program that shared athlete’s personal experiences of growing up in the sport and lessons learned.
ASA President Daniel Kowalski said, “To date, BTBL has been delivered to over 100 swimming clubs across Australia, from Launceston to Nhulunbuy and over to Panawonica in North West, Western Australia and today we are extremely proud to partner with Swimming Australia to launch the online platform.”
Targeted at swimmers aged 13 to 18, BTBL is designed to assist this age group to realise they are not alone in their thoughts and aims to upskill swimmers with the knowledge and insight on how to navigate the sometimes-tricky teenage years.
Swimming Australia General Manager Participation and Sport Development, Paul Malcolm said, he was proud to support such a positive participation resource.
“Supporting the development of swimmers is our most important job. Beyond the Black Line is an outstanding resource and one we are very proud to support,” Malcolm said.
“With the program developed by swimmers, for swimmers, makes it incredibly powerful. This is a program that uses the experiences of the past to make today and tomorrow even better.”
The website features content starring a large number of current and retired Dolphins including Cate and Bronte Campbell, Ellie Cole, James Magnussen, Cam McEvoy and Brendan Hall.
Olympic gold medallist Bronte Barratt, has gained a great deal from her involvement in the program as a workshop presenter; ”I really am delighted with the opportunity to deliver the BTBL program to young female swimmers. The content and discussion is really powerful, I wish I had something like this as I navigated my way through my teenage years,” Barratt said.
The launch of the BTBL website, provides a greater reach for our resources to not just young swimmers, but parents, coaches and clubs as well.
Daniel Kowalski added, “We hope swimmers not only gain great knowledge and insight from watching the videos but they, along with coaches, clubs and parents sign up to have a program delivered, and experience the full benefits of a face to face workshops.”
Beyond the Black Line, a joint initiative from the ASA and Swimming Australia Ltd. For more information be sure to check out the website: http://www.beyondtheblackline.com.au
