Swimming coach uses ‘best’ stroke to change kids’ lives
A PASSION for development and inclusion drives swimming coach Gail Bohler to not only get the most out of her pupils, but it also contributed to their recent success at the Berlin Special Olympics World Games.
An occupational therapist at Thuthukani Special School and a swimming coach at Fish Eagle Swimming Club, Bohler's young athletes did her proud.
The 10-member swimming team for which she was head coach brought home 5 gold, 2 silver and 1 bronze medal from the games.
In total, the Special Olympics team secured 49 medals.
This achievement earned Bohler a special award from President Cyril Ramaphosa.
“Many of the athletes I work with do not have access to swimming pools at home, and have not been for swimming lessons until they start at school,” said Bohler.
“Inclusion and participation in sport for athletes with disabilities has value for the athlete, their families and the community. When people see abilities (of which there are many), and not disabilities, there is a positive change towards inclusion and acceptance.
“Testament to this can be seen in the swimmers who achieved at the Special Olympics World Games. Before departure, some were seen for their disability but after achieving, were seen for their abilities.”
When people see abilities (of which there are many), and not disabilities, there is a positive change towards inclusion and acceptance
she said.
Her pupils at Thuthukani have both intellectual and physical disabilities. Intellectual disabilities mean the athlete has challenges with memory, learning and other cognitive tasks.
The school has an active sport programme and is affiliated with the sporting associations for both physical and intellectual impairment.
There are 12 athletes at Thuthukani with registered disabilities, and all are fully included as part of the team. Bohler says their achievements international, national, provincial and district - demonstrate the power of inclusion.
Through its partnership with Fish Eagle, the school developed an opportunity for inclusion and
allowed the learners to overcome the discrimination they face owing to their disabilities.
“The swimmers brought back more medals than they did at the previous Special Olympics World Games in the UAE in 2019 for which I was also head coach,” said Bohler, referring to the medal haul from Berlin.
“I was overall team manager of the KZN team of intellectually impaired athletes who competed
in Rustenburg, and at the SA schools swimming nationals held in Durban in April I was disability manager,” she said of her other notable accomplishments.
Bohler grew up in Johannesburg and swam for Gauteng for many years.
“Swimming has shown transformation since I swam, both in terms of the colour of athletes and in terms of opportunities for athletes living with disabilities.”