London-based sports trust Greenwich Leisure (GLL) has piloted an employee exchange programme with Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre (SOPAC) in Australia in order to ensure it can deliver Olympic standard training facilities in the lead up to the 2012 Games.

The trust has 13 centres which have been approved as Olympic and Paralympic training camps.

Two GLL managers, Gareth Kirk and Gregg Holland spent two months in Australia, learning how to operate Olympic facilities in Sydney, as well as visiting the 1982 and 2006 Commonwealth Games venues in Brisbane and Melbourne.

Gareth Kirk, GLL's partnership manager for Newham, said: "We covered a lot of ground, giving us insight into Olympic delivery and major event management as well as how to ensure a sustainable community legacy - a key goal for GLL post 2012.

"We worked closely with SOPAC general manager, Ross Coggan and spent time with the President of the Australian Olympic Committee, John Coates, who briefed us on all aspects of running an international event. It was an invaluable experience that will pay dividends for GLL as we assist in the delivery of the Olympic and Paralympic games."

Gregg Holland, manager of GLL's Waterfront Leisure Centre, added: "Illustrating the sheer scale of the Games and organisation required, the experience also made us aware of the opportunities for all staff to play a part in the Olympic games. These are exciting times and we have gained a vast amount of knowledge on Olympic delivery."

The scheme is set to run on an annual basis and will also see Australian visits to London in return - recently two SOPAC managers, Mark Mason and Gavin King, visited the UK to learn operational tips from GLL as well as visit Wimbledon, Lords and Wembley Stadium.

Photograph: Mark Mason (left) and Gavin King of SOPAC