Patience, guidance and strategy.

Three words which Collingwood High Performance Manager Bill Davoren uses to improve the swimming program in the Holden Centre.

After a game, you’ll find the Magpies in the pool. They’ll return numerous times during the week, even venturing to the open waters of Port Phillip Bay.

It’s a contrast to the open expanses of the MCG, but a vital ingredient to making the players better.

“Swimming offers an opportunity to maintain their fitness throughout the season,” Davoren told Collingwood Media.

“Secondly it offers an opportunity, once they good quite good at it, to relax. The water provides an opportunity to stretch out.

“The predominant reason is I think it has a significant impact on their cardiovascular fitness. It helps them to transfer that into being fit, running-based footballers.”

Having trained Olympic triathletes before turning his attention to football, Davoren is aware of the benefits of swimming to all members of the community.

The activity is ideal for anyone looking to broaden their fitness program.

It’s also a great way to complement other activities in the fitness schedule, thanks to its all-over body conditioning. For those unlucky enough to sustain an injury, time in the pool will speeds up recovery.

However successfully swimming 1km can seem daunting.

That’s where Collingwood partner, Speedo, can assist.

Speedo is encouraging all sport and fitness enthusiasts to join the challenge, #Make1kWet and be inspired to jump into the pool and add a swim to their weekly fitness regimes.

By joining the challenge, Speedo will encourage you with a 12-week program to help you achieve easier 1km swims.

“A kilometre straight swim is attainable for anyone,” Davoren said.

“With patience, with guidance and working strategically, I think it can become a really important part of an everyday person’s fitness regime.”

The world’s leading swimwear brand has broadened its successful partnership to span across all Collingwood’s teams until the end of 2019. 

Speedo will continue to support the important swim training programs across AFL, VFL, AFLW and netball programs, as well as supply swimwear and training equipment to the club’s athletes.

Speedo Pacific’s Brand Manager, Graham Eyres, told Collingwood Media “Speedo is so excited and proud to extend our relationship with Collingwood, especially across the club’s new teams.

“It’s our mission to inspire all Australians to swim, and grow the sport of swimming, and we believe our involvement with Collingwood will help achieve this.”

CLICK HERE to learn more about Speedo