STA has signed a partnership agreement with the newly-formed China International Swimming Teachers’ Association (CISTA), which has been set up with the support of the Government to educate and promote professional standards of swimming through training and development across the People’s Republic of China.

As a result of the government ending its one-child policy in 2015 – and the subsequent baby boom – demand for baby and children’s swimming lessons is growing significantly in China. Consequently, new facilities and new swim schools are being built all over the country to cope with demand, leading to an influx of new training opportunities for swimming teachers and lifeguards.

To facilitate this development, CISTA has been created to take the lead on promoting standards in China, the world’s fourth largest country with a population of over 1.3 billion. Through its partnership with STA, CISTA will follow UK standards in terms of delivering recognised qualifications for swimming teachers, lifeguards, first aiders and pool plant management.

Anita Sharma, CDO at CISTA said: We are absolutely delighted and extremely excited to have signed a partnership agreement with STA UK. Their support and expertise will greatly help us achieve our aim of providing quality international training for the people of China.

We want to provide world class training facilities and ensure that resources are available for the renewal of qualifications and ongoing professional development – we want CISTA to be an organisation which everyone involved in swimming provision can turn to at any time for advice or help, added Anita.

To achieve this mission at this significant time in China’s swimming history, CISTA will be offering the full spectrum of STA’s qualifications; including swimming teaching, disabilities, lifeguarding, pool plant, first aid and CPDs. All courses will be delivered by locally trained STA tutors and supported with bi-lingual resource manuals.

CISTA will also offer bespoke consultancy services for new swim school start-ups and for existing businesses who want to boost or improve their aquatic programmes.

Dave Candler, STA CEO, who attended the launch of CISTA in Beijing in November, said: The opportunity for swimming is immense in China and it’s great to be able to partner CISTA at the beginning of their historical journey. We look forward to supporting their mission of raising teaching standards and providing families the opportunity to access quality learn to swim programmes across the Republic.

CISTA has also become an associate member of the International Federation of Swimming Teachers Association (IFSTA). Founded by STA, IFSTA has more than 20 global member countries and together they share knowledge and best practices in support of the World Health Organisation’s actions to prevent drowning. This will provide an important international platform for CISTA to showcase its services and successes in China.