Webinars and Workshops

As a coach, you have an important voice. Join the Body Empowerment Team for this webinar specifically for coaches, where we will discuss:

The developmental trajectory of body image.

What impacts body image? Risks and protective factors.

How you can develop confidence in your language and communication.

The role of the coach in supporting body empowerment at the pool, including nutrition and other performance and wellbeing behaviours.

As a member of the Performance Support Team (PST), you have important touch points with swimmers in the daily training environment (DTE). Join the Body Empowerment Team for this webinar specifically for practitioners, where we will discuss:

The developmental trajectory of body image.

What impacts body image? Risks and protective factors.

How you can develop confidence in your language and communication.

The role of the PST in supporting body empowerment in the DTE, including nutrition and other performance and wellbeing behaviours.

As a parent/supporter, you have an important role in supporting body empowerment at home. Join the Body Empowerment Team for this webinar specifically for coaches, where we will discuss:

The developmental trajectory of body image.

What impacts body image? Risks and protective factors.

How you can develop confidence in your language and communication.

Understanding the role of social media.

How to identify early warning signs of body image distress and what you can do and say next.

Resources to learn more.

This webinar offers a comprehensive overview of Swimming Australia’s Environment and Language Guide for Discussing and Managing Physique – why it’s for you, what you will find, and how to use it in everyday situations to support swimmers.

In this webinar, you’ll learn about:

Who is it for

This guide is for all stakeholders in swimming, providing tailored recommendations for swimmers, coaches, health and performance support professionals, parents/supporters, and our broader swimming community.

Why Language and Environment

Understand how language and training environment can influence behaviours and impact a swimmer’s health, performance, and body image resilience.

What areas does the guide cover

Explore recommendations on when physique might be measured, understand measurement processes, and how physique information should be interpreted and considered.

How does it work

Gain insights into how to practically apply the guide in everyday situations, through detailed examples during the webinar.

This webinar will raise awareness of the guide and its practical application across the swimming community.

A recent report (Butterfly Foundation/Deloitte 2024) revealed that Eating Disorders have sharply on the rise over the past decade, notably in young people, accompanied by an economic cost exceeding $66.9 billion in the 2023 financial year. Mental health and eating disorders are everyone’s business and understanding what, who, how, why and when is critical so that we can all play our part in supporting the wellbeing of swimmers, and our entire swimming community.

In this webinar, you’ll learn about:

What you most need to know in your role about Eating Disorders.

Myths that propel Eating Disorders in sporting environments.

Your role in prevention and early intervention (NEDC Stepped Care Framework).

How you can more confidently identify and respond to body image distress, and be clear about what to do and say next.

How to have a conversation with a parent/coach if you are concerned.

Where and how to get support yourself.

These webinars are going to be specifically designed for Coaches, Parents/Supporters and Performance Support Staff, specific to these roles.

We are now learning more about the varied impacts that having conversations with swimmers about physique can have, and how to have these conversations in a timely, respectful way that prioritises the swimmer’s wellbeing.

Being able to have safer conversations with swimmers about physique requires planning and clarity firstly about whether the conversation should take place, and if so, how to proceed thoughtfully and skilfully.

In this workshop, you’ll learn about:

• Clarifying the evidence that links physique with swimming performance.
• The 5-step “if, who, how, what, why” framework before you start a conversation.
• Assessing, mitigating and monitoring risk.
• How to dial up the volume on consent, communication and confidentiality.
• Practical scenarios that bring the process to life.

This workshop can be facilitated by a member of the Body Empowerment Team in your state – see contact details on the About Body Empowerment page.

When the Battery is Low – a Coach’s Guide to REDs

When the Battery is Low – a Performance Support Practitioner’s Guide to REDs

REDs (Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport) describes the collection of symptoms that emerge when someone is not meeting their energy needs, either intentionally or unintentionally, in ways that can have significant and detrimental effects on many different body systems.

Understanding the what, who and why of REDs can offer coaches and performance support practitioners skills in spotting its symptoms early on, giving swimmers the opportunity to address imbalances and prevent progression of symptoms.

In these workshops, designed for coaches or performance support practitioners working with ages 12+ of all genders, you’ll leave feeling clearer about REDs, how to spot early warning signs, what your role is and who to turn to in supporting swimmers to take next steps.

REDs (Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport) describes the collection of symptoms that emerge when someone is not meeting their energy needs, either intentionally or unintentionally, in ways that can have significant and detrimental effects on many different body systems.

Understanding the what, who and why of REDs can offer swimmers and their parents/supporters skills in spotting its symptoms early on, giving swimmers the opportunity to address imbalances and prevent progression of symptoms.

In these workshops, designed for all swimmers ages 12+ and their parents/supporters, you’ll leave feeling clearer about REDs, how to spot early warning signs, and who to turn to take next steps.

This workshop is designed specifically for parents of developing swimmers (U18). As a parent, your support with nutrition at home and school plays a crucial role in your child’s swimming journey. This session delves into essential topics to help you optimise your swimmer’s food and nutrition for training and everyday living:

Everyday Nutrition: discover how to strike a balance with everyday nutrition, including tips to ensure your swimmer gets the nutrients they need to thrive both in and out of the pool.

Training Nutrition: learn about pre-training fuelling strategies, hydration, and practical nutrition tips to maintain energy during sessions.

Recovery Nutrition: understand the importance of refuelling and repairing muscles post-training, rehydration strategies, and walk away with ideas for healthy snacks to aid recovery.

Competition Nutrition: gain insights into race day nutrition strategies and how to manage nutrition while travelling for competition, ensuring your swimmer is energised and ready for racing.

Supplement Use in Swimming: explore the topic of supplements in swimming, including what’s safe, and how to make informed decisions surrounding supplement use.

This workshop is an opportunity to learn practical strategies to optimise your swimmer’s nutrition and support their performance both in and out of the pool.

This workshop can be designed with a specific age and swimming stage in mind, and can include a combination of topics such as:

• Nutrition myth busting
• Fuelling for Performance – everyday, training and competition nutrition
• Supplements