COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – USA Swimming, the national governing body for the sport of swimming in the United States, today announced a multi-year partnership with Diversity In Aquatics (DIA), a volunteer-led organization working to bring together diverse aquatic stakeholders to raise awareness of the importance of water safety and drowning prevention education. For over ten years, DIA has tirelessly worked to develop programs and opportunities designed to address issues of social justice, access, equity and inclusion in aquatics. 

During this new four-year grant commitment, Diversity In Aquatics and USA Swimming will together develop initiatives that directly address issues of justice, access to water, equity and inclusion, build resources for USA Swimming Community Impact grant recipients and Community Swim Teams, and create community-based outreach/marketing materials. 

“Diversity in Aquatics and USA Swimming share a common goal of creating more opportunities in the sport and increasing access to swimming in underrepresented communities,” said Joel Shinofield, Managing Director for Sport Development at USA Swimming. “Our partnership will help expand the reach and impact of both organizations to grow the sport. The members of DIA are coaches, educators and leaders in our sport and throughout all of aquatics.  We could not be more excited to continue to work with Diversity in Aquatics leadership and its members.”

“We understand the challenges and barriers that have existed in aquatics,” Diversity in Aquatics Executive Director Dr. Miriam Lynch said. “As many of us at Diversity In Aquatics grew up in USA Swimming, we are committed to working alongside this organization to pursue excellence and seek improvement in the sport of swimming. With this partnership, Diversity In Aquatics and its team of diverse researchers, coaches, advocates, and athletes looks forward to doing the work with USA Swimming to promote a more diverse, equitable, accessible, and inclusive community culture in swimming.  This partnership is the start of an intentional commitment by the organization to support inclusive growth and provide a safe and positive environment for current and future generations.”

Furthering its commitment to making a difference in the community, USA Swimming and the USA Swimming Foundation announced the creation of the Community Impact Grant program with the goal to not only grow the pipeline of potential athletes in swimming, but to also create more competitive opportunities for those youth who might not otherwise have regular access to the sport. 

For more information on USA Swimming’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion efforts, please visit www.usaswimming.org/diversity.  
 
Keep up with all the latest USA Swimming news by following @usaswimming on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.