In August 2019, S&F Inc. (S&F), a company engaged in the swimming club business, established SANDF VIETNAM CO., LTD. (S&F VIETNAM), as a subsidiary dedicated to swimming club consulting services in Vietnam. Obtaining a license in the educational field is a prerequisite for operating swimming clubs in Vietnam, presenting a challenge for foreign companies. To address this, a local company with Vietnamese representation, FUJI SWIMMING CLUB CO., LTD. (Fuji Swimming Club), was established.

S&F VIETNAM is actively involved in the swimming consultancy field, transferring Japanese swimming instruction techniques to Fuji Swimming Club and hosting badge test events for the Japan Swimming Federation in Vietnam. To date, five events have been held in Hanoi City, Ho Chi Minh City, and Da Nang City, with cumulatively 264 individuals certified.

Initial Foray in Vietnam: The Search for Coaching Talent

The initial venture aimed to secure swimming coach talent for Japan. Believing that the ability to instruct swimming transcends nationality, we at S&F explored the possibility of recruiting foreign swimming coaches to work in Japan. As we considered our first international outreach with an eye toward establishing our first overseas office, we began research in Vietnam, considering various factors such as security, culture, and the availability of Japanese-speaking local personnel.

Our research into the swimming environment in Vietnam revealed a high awareness of the importance of swimming due to frequent water accidents. Therefore, many Vietnamese recognized the need to acquire swimming skills. However, the reality was that the lack of immediate and relatable goals often led individuals to discontinue their learning before acquiring sufficient swimming skills.

We thought that combining Japanese-style swimming lessons with Japanese swimming certification system, thereby establishing clear learning objectives, would encourage individuals to continue learning to swim. Starting at the point, our focus shifted from securing swimming coaches for Japan to enabling as many children in Vietnam as possible to swim, with the aim of protecting them from water-related accidents.

Certifying Swimming Abilities with Swimming Badge Test

The decision to introduce the Japan Swimming Federation's Swimming Badge Test in Vietnam was driven by the lack of clear standards for assessing swimming abilities. In Vietnam, many swimming coaches operate independently, leading to different standards in both coaching techniques and the definition of “being able to swim “.

Additionally, Vietnamese regulations require children to have swimming proficiency certificates before entering junior high school, yet there were no definitive standards for these either. Students might receive certificates without acquiring adequate swimming skills, or the focus may shift to merely obtaining certificates rather than mastering the skills.

Consequently, children who have completed lessons and obtained certificates might believe they can swim without actually having mastered the abilities necessary to prevent drowning incidents. To address this gap and genuinely promote swimming, the decision has been made to host the Swimming Badge Test events.

The proficiency test is based on clear testing criteria assessing swimming technique and time, ensuring an accurate assessment of swimming abilities. Passing the test increases the likelihood of preventing water accidents. However, the lack of established standards posed a risk that many participants might not meet the standards and would fail upon the introduction of the Swimming Badge Test. To mitigate this, we established a learning environment to teach the necessary swimming skills to prevent water-related accidents before introducing the swimming proficiency test.

 After a year of preparation, Fuji Swimming Club commenced operations in August 2020. This preparation included developing a unique program and training coaches based on the step-up lessons of Japanese swimming clubs, which allow for progression through advancement tests. Three months later, the first Swimming Badge Test was held in Hanoi City in November, with all 25 participants, consisting of 17 Vietnamese and 8 Japanese, making entries in 35 categories and successfully passing in 29 of them.

Subsequently, tests were held in Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang City. The Da Nang City test in September 2023 attracted 109 participants, consisting of 107 Vietnamese and 2 Japanese, across 135 categories, with 84 passing in 95 categories.

As a foreign entity in Vietnam, we are conscious of potential hostility from local industry peers. To promote swimming and develop a supportive environment and coaching talent, building friendly relations with those in the same sector was necessary. We have been participating in swimming competitions in Vietnamese rivers and sharing the appeal and joy of swimming.

Looking Ahead

We are committed to reducing water-related accidents in Vietnam by promoting swimming, creating environments conducive to swimming skills acquisition to prevent such accidents, developing swimming coaches, and advocating for a standardized and nationwide swimming proficiency certification system that can serve as motivational goals. We are also exploring the possibility of extending these initiatives to other Southeast Asian countries, with research currently underway.

Our original objective of recruiting talent for Japan has resurfaced. Last year, five Vietnamese staff members participated in a 10-days training program in Japan. We plan to continue these training initiatives in Japan and open opportunities for international individuals to work as swimming coaches in Japan.

◇AYUSAWA Takanori

International Business Manager at S&F Inc. / Representative of S&F Inc.’s Vietnamese subsidiary, S&F VIETNAM

After joining S&F Inc., which operates Saginuma Swimming Club, as a new graduate, he worked as a swimming coach in the swimming business division, where he was engaged in event planning and operations. Following his tenure as the General Manager of Saginuma Swimming Club, he managed the overall marketing operations of the swimming business division. Since August 2019, he has been stationed in Vietnam as the Representative of S&F VIETNAM. He currently oversees coach development and manages the operations of the Japanese-style swimming club at Fuji Swimming Club in Vietnam. To further promote swimming in Vietnam, he actively releases swimming videos on YouTube.

*The affiliations and titles stated are as of July 2024, at the time of authorship.

Note: This article was originally published in Japanese on Aug 15, 2024. The original article can be accessed here.