The WSRCS programme is aimed at women who might be otherwise unable to access quality coaching education for rural or remote communities.

The initiative is run by Swimming Australia in conjunction with the Australian Swimming Coaches and Teachers Association (ASCTA).

It provides candidates with opportunities to access high-quality coaching and education, attain nationally recognised accreditation and attend the 2014 ASTCA Convention, which is due to take place at the Sofitel on the Gold Coast from April 26 to May 4.

Last year saw 10 women receive swimming coaching scholarships.

Those on this year's course will be provided with assistance in the enrolment on the bronze and silver courses.

For the bronze course, the ASCTA will cover the cost of the enrolment - AUD $395 (£216/$353/€260) - which is due to take place on May 3 and 4 at the Sofitel.

The silver course also takes place at Sofitel from April 30 to May 4, and candidates will have to pay AUD $175 (£95/$156/€115) with the ASCTA subsidising the rest of the programme.

"We understand the expenses of travel that clubs, swimmers and coaches have in these areas," said Swimming Australia's general manager for community sport and stakeholder relations, Melissa Backhouse.

"The programme is aimed at providing quality opportunities to women who live in rural and remote areas and to increase the number of female coaches in Australia.

"Since its inception in 2011, the programme has had a positive flow-on effect for the development of our swimmers, particularly in these more remote regions."

For further information and to access an application form for the 2014 Women in Swimming Rural Coaching Scholarship, click here.

Applications for scholarships will close on March 24.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


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