NEWS RELEASE
GUELPH MARLIN AQUATIC CLUB
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The Guelph Marlin Aquatic Club recently received confirmation it will receive $9,500 in grant support from the Jumpstart Sport Relief Fund, designed to help sport and recreation organizations weather the impact of the pandemic and build back sport and play in Canada.
“Swimming is a fantastic way to stay physically and mentally fit plus the Guelph Marlins programming for swimmers of all ages and levels creates bonds and enables friendships, helping strengthen our local community. We are beyond grateful for the support from the Jumpstart Sport Relief Fund that will be invested in expanding and developing coaching staff, and additional equipment and pool transition time to keep swimmers safely distanced in the pool, during dry land workouts and when entering and exiting the facilities. These funds will deliver tangible positive impact for our swimmers and the broader community,” said Laura Nicholls, Director of Age Group and Development, Guelph Marlin Aquatic Club and two-time Olympian
With Jumpstart’s support, the Guelph Marlins will be able to hire additional coaching staff to meet the strong uptick in demand for learn to swim and pre-competitive and competitive programming.
The funds will also be invested in NCCP training and courses for coaching staff to ensure swimmers from entry to elite level have top level, certified coaching and instruction.
By end of 2021, all ten coaches will have completed Level 101 certification. Jumpstart’s support will enable swimmers to be safely distanced and maintain the Club’s covid safety protocols at all times.
Additional equipment such as stretch bands, medicine balls and skipping ropes will be purchased to ensure swimmers are properly distanced during dryland workouts. The funding will also help fund the additional pool time required to allow for safe entry and exits from the pool and facility.
The Jumpstart Sport Relief Fund has disbursed funding to more than 1,200 organizations across Canada. In February, Canadian Tire Corporation announced an additional $12 million commitment to Jumpstart’s Sport Relief Fund to help sport and recreation organizations build back sport and play in Canada after conducting a State of Sport study via Ipsos which revealed the pandemic has not only impacted current access to sport and play but has real long-term effects.
Guelph Marlins are celebrating ‘Back to Pool’ in September with learn to swim lessons and pre-competitive and competitive programming starting throughout the month. All programming will be delivered in strict compliance with the COVID protocols of Step 3 of Ontario’s reopening plan.
For lesson programs for children ages three and up, instructors will be in the water. Instructors will wear a mask when in closer contact and physical distancing of 2 metres cannot be maintained.
Competitive program swimmers must follow regulations strictly including social distancing in the facility and in the pool/lane, masking until entering the pool, and daily health checks.
About the Guelph Marlin Aquatic Club:
Founded in 1969 and proud to be newly sponsored by Speedo, The Guelph Marlin Aquatic Club is an inclusive organization and welcomes full participation of all individuals in our comprehensive learn to swim, pre-competitive and competitive programming and activities led by certified coaching staff with decades of experience.
Most years, our instructors teach more than 900 swimmers over the Fall, Winter and Spring sessions of Swim Lessons. In the 2020/2021 competitive swimming season, 11 Guelph Marlins athletes qualified for Olympic trials and 2 Para Athletes qualified for Para-Olympic Trials. Guelph Marlins Para Athlete, Jordan Tucker, is a Canadian record holder in the 50m and 100m Butterfly. Follow content curated by senior Marlins swimmers on Facebook and Instagram.
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