About Us
Requested by International Visitors to the Gold Coast, Migrants and New Arrivals to Australia, English as Second Language Students; S'women has grown from its initial trial program to a successful program under The Aqua English Project. It is a fluid program that evolves with the needs of women from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. It is MORE THAN SWIMMING; it is the beginning of a lifelong journey of education and discovery. It is the FIRST STEP towards pathways of qualification towards employment, and self empowerment for the women who engage in it.
It is utilised by The Gold Coast City Council Active & Healthy Multicultural Program; The Wesley Mission Brisbane Expanded Horizons Project, The Islamic Women's Association of Queensland (IWAQ); Keebra Park High School, Milperra High School , Queensland Program of Assistance to Persons of Torture and Trauma (QPASST;) and in 2010 will be utilised by: Lawand Tourism and A.C.C.E.S.S Services with plenty more individuals and organisations to come!
S'women is MORE THAN SWIMMING.
Timeline of Research & Development:
2007: Research & Development into the needs of women from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds. What would be required for a culturally sensitive aquatic environment? What would they like to achieve in an aquatic program? The categories of women included international visitors and students; tourists; local residents within the Queensland community; refugees and new arrivals. Research strongly suggested the diverse needs of each group could be catered for with strong community and stakeholder support.
2007: Successful launch of the first S'women program at the Southport Olympic Pool (Gold Coast Aquatic Centre) with over 60 women from Afghanistan, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, Indonesia, Somalia, Sudan , Bosnia, Egypt and Korea.It was identified that Queensland had never offered women with certain cultural requirements, a culturally sensitive place to swim. Culturally sensitive swimwear (particularly for Muslim clientele) was not offered either.
2008: Successful launch of the first S'women Program in two Brisbane locations in conjunction with the Islamic Women's Association of Queensland (IWAQ). Over 80 women and their children attended lessons and acquired a new understanding of cultural and aquatic English. The program operated for thirty weeks at the Yeronga Park Swimming Complex (Yeronga), and the Sam Riley Swim School (Logan). Participants were mainly from Afghanistan, Sudan, Somalia, South Africa, Malaysia, Bosnia, Iran and Egypt).
2009: Successful Collaboration with the Gold Coast City Council "Active & Healthy Multicultural Program" in which a 6 week trial program took place at the Yacht Street Indoor Swimming Centre on the Gold Coast. All 40 spots were filled immediately with a substantial waiting list. Participants were mainly from Afghanistan, Bosnia, Sudan and Africa.
2010: The second major Brisbane Program starts on Saturday 16th January 2010 for an anticipated 10 weeks. The recent occurance of drownings in Queensland has forced a re-structure of the S'women Brisbane program to specifically cater for women and their young children. This program operates in conjucntion with the Islamic Women's Association of Queensland.
2010: The second major Gold Coast City Council 'Active & Healthy Multicultral Program' will begin in February/March at the Yacht Street Indoor Swimming Centre.
2010: LOOK OUT GOLD COAST! Lawand Tourism will trial a program for visitors from the Gulf Countries in June/July 2010. The program is anticipated to take place at the Versace Hotel.
2010: LOOK OUT AGAIN GOLD COAST! S'women is proud to annouce the launch of its new line of culturally sensitive swimwear!
What next........2010 will see the S'women Program and Aqua English Project push for formal recognition of English Language acquisition for its particpants!
