Delivered by World Aquatics’ experts, the training course aimed to provide a comprehensive understanding of the Discover Water programme and the responsibilities of Country Leads, guide the development of a structured curriculum, and equip participants with the skills to train and support local educators.
Launched on World Drowning Day 2024 ahead of the Olympic Games Paris 2024, the innovative programme offers a range of educational tools to enable young children from around the world to safely embrace aquatics sports and learn vital skills in an engaging manner.
Discover Water takes a collaborative approach with World Aquatics’ Members to executing activations, and the training course in Malawi was a key milestone in implementing the programme on the African continent.
Image Source: Participants in Malawi enjoyed a range of interactive sessions (World Aquatics)
Country Leads nominated by their National Federations enjoyed a range of interactive sessions, including discussions on the importance of developing physical literacy, planning for implementation of Discover Water Programme locally, identifying key partners, and building a national educators learning community.
In addition, the event concluded with the opportunity for the Country Leads to practise implementing Discover Water activities in Malawi, with 50 children aged between six and 12 learning about water safety, the environment and the Olympic values.
One of the most famous names in open water swimming, three-time Olympian Leonie Beck understands as well as anyone the life-changing impact that developing aquatic literacy at an early age can have.
“What made me love the water was I grew up with my siblings in the swimming pool in a sports team. Now I spend so much time in the water and I can really let my mind run free when I’m swimming, and this is something I really appreciate,” she reflected.
Beck was in attendance in Malawi to learn more about the Discover Water programme, and to promote water safety and participation in aquatic sports – two topics which are close to her heart. She shared her experience and expertise with Country Leads as part of the training course, and wants to use her platform to give back to the global aquatics community and make a powerful impact on young people.
Image Source: Leonie Beck wants to use her platform to give back to the global aquatics community (World Aquatics)
“As a swimmer, I am really happy to be part of the Discover Water programme. I think it is very important that everyone has the chance to learn swimming. This sport is such a great sport – it gives you so many skills you can have for the rest of your life, so it is always nice to participate,” Beck said.
“I am really happy that I am here in Malawi. I saw a group of interested and very motivated professionals and trainers from 15 different countries working together, fully engaged in the process and dedicated to a common cause”
“The experts who delivered the course, Viv Holt and Sven Spannekrebs, facilitated learning in an interactive and participation-based manner in order to develop the necessary skills of Country Leads to implement the Discover Water programme in their countries.”
Beck additionally highlighted that the vital role of World Aquatics and the global aquatics family through the Discover Water programme in helping to reduce the risk of drowning globally.
“The Discover Water programme not only provides the skills to teach children to swim, but also helps to develop an understanding on how to act in different bodies of water. The conditions are completely different if you are in a pool, the sea, a lake or a river,” she said.
“It is really important that the children understand that nature can act in a way you do not expect, and it can be really dangerous if you do not learn how to act with the current or waves, for example.
“I think everyone should have the possibility to learn swimming in a fun way. It is one of the most important things to prevent drowning.”
The training course in Malawi brought together Country Leads from across the continent, and they unanimously appreciated the opportunity to work with World Aquatics, meet with their peers, exchange knowledge and learn as a group.
“Meeting other Country Leads and not just individuals from my country was very important and it was such an eye-opener, because I got to learn about different situations and different countries. Some countries are advanced in certain areas we are not, and some countries I could share what we do in our country to help solve issues,” Puni Gaetsewe from Botswana commented.
Image Source: Country Leads valued the opportunity to work with World Aquatics and their peers from across Africa (World Aquatics)
Johathan Amoako-Atta from Ghana concurred, adding: “Having participants from various countries in Africa is good for all. I have colleagues I can rely on for further explanation or information, and we can help each other through listening.
“I really think having a well-rounded base gives you strength and the ability to enjoy what you are doing, and this goes beyond even swimming.”
The training allowed the participants to gain a greater understanding of the Discover Water programme, and provided important learnings to each of the Country Leads. This will enhance the delivery of Discover Water in their respective countries.
Image Source: The training in Malawi provided Country Leads with a greater understanding of the Discover Water programme (World Aquatics)
Gaetsewe reflected: “Physical literacy is important in the swimming sense, but it’s not just swimming. What I loved is that it’s the development of the whole being.
“I learned how to engage with kids and how to approach learning in a holistic manner. The teachings stay with them for life, and it’s lovely that from a very young age you start learning about other aspects of your lives.”
The focus on physical literacy in the training course was also appreciated by Amoako-Atta.
“The Discover Water Course challenged our thinking and the way we have implemented learn to swim programmes”
“This is the first time I am understanding physical literacy and the importance of having a well-rounded programme – not just the development of the physical skills, but it allowed us to understand how cognitive, social and psychological aspects can be developed through swimming. It is a very good base for children to learn and enjoy water, and ultimately bind themselves to be part of aquatics activities for life,” he said.
Image Source: Discover Water includes an important focus on developing physical literacy (World Aquatics)
To support the implementation of Discover Water, World Aquatics developed a toolkit which includes activity sheets, guidance on programme development, observation and evaluation methods, and training guidance for local educators.
“The Discover Water Toolkit is quite detailed. It comes as a guide and provides a clear pathway of what should be done to develop and deliver the Discover Water programme in my country”
The launch of Discover Water followed research and extensive consultations with World Aquatics’ experts and partners to develop a programme which capitalises on the aquatics community’s unique position to promote water safety.
World Aquatics continues to make progress on working collaboratively with National Federations and implementing the programme globally.
BRYAN-COLLEGE STATION – Texas A&M volleyball’s Logan Lednicky signed her first professional contract with League One Volleyball (LOVB) Houston, the organization announced Friday.
Staying in the Lone Star State, Lednicky joins the Houston based LOVB team after spearheading the Aggies to the program’s first national title. The opposite hitter etched her name in Texas A&M history, as she broke the program rally-scoring record for career kills concluding her four years with 1,686.
“I’m so excited for Logan [Lednicky] to start her professional career,” head coach Jamie Morrison said. “Since taking over this program, it’s been our goal to help set up out athletes for the next step after college and seeing it come to fruition is incredible. Logan has developed every year she has been at Texas A&M and has all the skills necessary to succeed at the next level.”
The Sugar Land, Texas, native developed a well-rounded game throughout her four years but offensively is where she excelled. She recorded double-digit kills in 94 matches during her career, including 23 straight to conclude the 2025 campaign which led to a national crown.
Lednicky showed her versatility during her time in Aggieland, racking up 379 blocks which ranks 11th in program history and secured back-to-back 100-block seasons in her junior and senior campaigns. She also tacked on 808 digs which helped account for 28 career double-doubles.
Cementing herself as an all-time great for the program, she received a pair of AVCA Second Team All-America honors, was a four-time All-SEC and All-Region selection, AVCA Player of the Year Semifinalist, NCAA Tournament Team recipient, NCAA Regional Most Outstanding Player and five-time SEC weekly award winner.
The pin hitter got her international career started this past summer, as she received her first senior-national team call up for the United States and was named to the Volleyball Nation’s League roster for the opening two weeks in Brazil and Serbia. She competed in seven of the eight matches over the two weeks, tallying 43 points on 38 kills and five blocks, while adding 26 digs.
FOLLOW THE AGGIES
Visit 12thMan.com for more information on Texas A&M volleyball. Fans can keep up to date with the A&M volleyball team on Facebook, Instagram and on Twitter/X by following @AggieVolleyball.
Registration is currently underway for the Pipestone JO volleyball program.
The deadline to register is Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2026.
The JO volleyball program is currently conducting a registration drive. (Contributed graphic)
The JO program, for girls entering third grade through high school, has been in existence for nearly 20 years, offering competitive tournaments at PAS Gymnasium.
The school district supports and works with the program to keep registration cost affordable.
The season will run from March 7-April 19.
Registration cost is $200 per player.
For information, log onto the following link: pipestoneareajovolleyball.sportngin.com/register/form/670029690. There is a prompt to create an account for your player(s).
MUSKEGON TWP. — Syann Fairfield recently got her elementary education degree from Ferris State University.
Now at age 22, Fairfield is now the new Reeths-Puffer varsity head volleyball coach.
But despite her age, her volleyball background is strong.
As a three-year starter at Ferris State, Fairfield helped the Bulldogs win two regular season championships and two conference tournament championships in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Conference (GLIAC).
About hiring Fairfield, Rockets Athletic Director Cliff Sandee said, “Syann has been successful in every aspect of life, as a standout student-athlete at North Muskegon and Ferris State.”
“More impressively, she has routinely made people around her more successful,” Sandee also said.
“Her playing experience at Ferris State and her coaching experience at Inside Out and at Muskegon Community College has prepared Syann to lead right away,” Sandee continued to say.
Sandee said, “She will develop champions in all areas of life.
As a young first-time varsity coach, Fairfield is eager to take on a team that’s going to have a lot of very young talent.
Her predecessor, Justin Birr, resigned in the fall at the end of last season.
Fairfield said that parents and other coaches in the area asked her to apply for the Rockets job when it got posted, and that she decided to do it.
Fairfield also said that she was also seeking to gain experience of interviewing for a high school coaching job.
But as she learned more about Reeths-Puffer and its volleyball program, she became more excited about the job and was thrilled when she got the job.
“I figured, why not,” Fairfield said. “Let’s go through the process and get the feel of things.”
“But the more I talked to people and learned about the school, it just seemed like the place to be,” Fairfield said.
Fairfield also said, “I work hard and go all-in on everything I do, and I am ready to tackle it!”
“I know it’s not common for people to take a chance on someone who just graduated a few weeks ago from college, but I think they could see my passion and what my goals would be for the program for the next few years,” Fairfield said.
She stood out as a four-year player on North Muskegon’s volleyball team and graduated in 2021.
She attained all-state honors in her sophomore, junior and senior years, helping North Muskegon win two district championships and one conference title.
In 2021, she helped North Muskegon win a state championship in girls soccer in 2021, showing that she had talents in more than one sport.
BOZEMAN — Five legendary athletes and Montana State University’s president during an era of athletics and university-wide success enter the Bobcat Athletics Hall of Fame in January.
President Waded Cruzado, who led Montana State University from 2009-25, headlines a highly distinguished class of inductees. The list features Elvis Akpla (football, 2009-11), Jasmine Hommes Moeakiola (women’s basketball, 2012-16), Dan Johnson (track and field, 2004-08), Cody Kirk (football, 2010-13) and Cristian Soratos (cross country/track and field, 2012-15).
The ceremony is Jan. 16 at the Strand Union Building on the MSU campus. The evening begins with a social at 5:30 p.m., followed by dinner and the inductions. Purchase tickets here.
The 2025-26 inductees:
President Waded Cruzado — Montana State University’s president during a period of historic growth and success … her support and vision drove the reconfiguration of the Bobcat Athletics physical plant, including the Sonny Holland End Zone, the Bobcat Athletic Complex, the Kennedy-Stark Athletic Center and renovations in Brick Breeden Fieldhouse.
Elvis Akpla, football — 2011 third-team All-America and first-team All-Big Sky, second in MSU history in career and single-season receiving yards, third in career touchdown catches, eighth in career receptions.
Jasmine Hommes Moeakiola, women’s basketball — 2016 Big Sky MVP, first-team All-Big Sky … 2015 second-team All-Big Sky … sixth in MSU history in scoring, seventh in blocked shots.
Dan Johnson, track and field — One of the most productive long-sprint athletes in MSU men’s track and field history … he won Big Sky 400-meter championships indoors in 2007 and 2008 and outdoors in 2008 and 2009.
Cody Kirk, football — First-team All-Big Sky in 2011, second-team in 2013 … MSU’s all-time leader in touchdowns with 47 and second with 3,422 career yards … his 666 career rushes are also second in school history.
Cristian Soratos, track and field/cross country — Two-time All-America (2015 mile, 2015 1,500) … 2015 Big Sky Championships outstanding performer indoor and outdoor … four-time Big Sky indoor champion (2015 800, mile; 2014/2015 distance medley relay), three-time Big Sky outdoor champion (2015 800 and 1,500; 2014 1,500)
MSU director of athletics Leon Costello also announced that Ben and Sue Schmitt, long-time supporters and volunteers with deep family ties to Bobcat Athletics, will be presented the second Torleif Aasheim Service Award. Both MSU grads, the Schmitts not only support Bobcat teams but have long aided individual staff members, coaches and student-athletes.
The Ubly Bearcats made their first appearance at Kellogg Arena since 2007.
Tom Greene/Huron Daily Tribune
Ubly’s Waverly Hagen was named All-Tribune Player of the Year.
Tom Greene/Huron Daily Tribune
Ubly’s Rachel Sorenson was named the All-Thumb and All-Tribune Coach of the Year.
(C) Quad N Productions/Courtesy of Thumb Sportswriters Association
Bad Axe’s Courtney Copeland on serve.
Tom Greene/Huron Daily Tribune
Cass City’s Karsyn Ignash on serve.
Tom Greene/Huron Daily Tribune
Ubly’s Weaverly Hagen (11) and Addison Weber (1) attempt to block Owen-Gage’s Jessica Bowers.
Eric Young/Huron Daily Tribune/Eric Young/Dream Bigger Media
Cass City’s Skylar Ignash on serve.
Tom Greene/Huron Daily Tribune
Deckerville’s Libby Tank was named to the All-Thumb second team.
Thumb Sportswriters Association/Courtesy Photo
Ubly’s Suzanne Smigielski on serve.
Tom Greene/Huron Daily Tribune
Ubly’s Addison Weber on serve.
Tom Greene/Huron Daily Tribune
The Huron Daily Tribune has announced its 2025 All-Tribune volleyball teams. The teams were carefully selected by sportswriter Tom Greene and were considered through all-conference, all-Thumb and all-state selections.
Here are the All-Tribune teams:
Article continues below this ad
All-Tribune Volleyball Teams
Player of the Year
With a second-place finish for All-Thumb Player of the Year, and helping the Bearcats advance to Kellogg Arena for the first time since 2007, Ubly’s Waverly Hagen is named All-Tribune Player of the Year.
Coach of the Year
Leading the Ubly Bearcats to their first Kellogg Arena appearance since 2007, along with an undefeated record in the Big Thumb Black Division and selection as All-Thumb Coach of the Year, Ubly’s Rachel Sorenson is named All-Tribune Coach of the Year.
Article continues below this ad
Team of the Year
With their first Kellogg Arena appearance since 2007, the Ubly Bearcats are named All-Tribune Team of the Year.
Adel-DeSoto-Minburn senior Elise Coghlan recently played in her final volleyball season of her high school career, hitting many achievements, but is leaving an encouraging message for the younger girls who will be carrying the program from here on out.
Coghlan is leaving a legacy behind for Tigers volleyball, as she is now sixth all-time in school history with 601 Assists in a season, and has a total of 1,273 assists over her four-year career. In addition, Coghlan concluded the season with 57 kills, 181 digs, and 32 blocks. As she’ll be graduating in the spring, Coghlan wants to remind the girls to never forget who they are.
“Just being yourself and showing your actual personality, and just being friends with everyone honestly.”
ADM finished the season with a 23-9 overall record (7-1; 2nd inside the Raccoon River Conference) and fell to Dallas Center-Grimes in the Class 4A Region 4 Championship on October 28th.
