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Hall of Fame for Hills swim coach Zancanaro

IT’S A massive honour being inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame which is why Hills Swimming owner Julie Zancanaro cannot stop beaming.

Owner of the Hills Swimming School Julie Zancanaro was inducted in the International Swimming Hall of Fame. Picture: David Swift
Owner of the Hills Swimming School Julie Zancanaro was inducted in the International Swimming Hall of Fame. Picture: David Swift

IT’S A massive honour being inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame which is why Hills Swimming owner Julie Zancanaro cannot stop beaming.

Zancanaro was inducted in the Swimming Hall of Fame alongside Australian greats Laurie Lawrence and Leisel Jones at a special ceremony at Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA.

Zancanaro was also presented the Virginia Hunt Newman International Award, named after the woman who pioneered the non-traumatic method of teaching infants and preschool-age children to swim.

Julie Zancanaro with Ava Thomson, 4, at her swim centre.
Julie Zancanaro with Ava Thomson, 4, at her swim centre.

”This is a big honour and I was not expecting this,” the 54-year-old mother of three sons said.

“It is really wonderful to get this award and to be alongside Laurie Lawrence was an amazing experience. I was very happy to follow in Lawrence’s footsteps.”

Zancanaro, who started Hills Swimming with husband Deny in Kenthurst in 2001, was last year inducted into the Australian Swim Schools Association’s Hall of Fame, with Lawrence.

Hall of Famer Laurie Lawrence with young students.
Hall of Famer Laurie Lawrence with young students.

“Julie Zancanaro is a perfect fit, with her expertise in infant swimming and passion for non-forceful methods,” ASSA Chief Executive Ross Gage said.

Zancanaro and Deny are well known for their breakthrough efforts in swimming programs for babies and children.

Zancanaro wants children to learn swimming because,” it is a life skill” while saying each child is different regarding the best age for them to start swimming.

“I also train teachers (who coach children) because a lot of them unfortunately don’t know much about childhood development,” Zancanaro said.

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Original URL: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/newslocal/hills-shire-times/sport/hall-of-fame-for-hills-swim-coach-zancanaro/news-story/295ba6af5a5a731a7f735769c0a47381