Thousands of people across the country with a disability or from culturally diverse backgrounds will now have easier access to swimming programs, with the Australian Government and Swimming Australia unveiling recipients of the new Community Swimming Grants Program.
The new program will invest a total of almost $600,000 into 27 community grants and 11 strategic partnerships that will reach more than 7,000 participants in 84 different locations throughout Australia.
Minister for Sport Richard Colbeck said grants would go directly to community swimming groups in every state and territory.
“These grants are about providing more active opportunities for Australians regardless of things such as ability, background, age or location,” Minister Colbeck said.
“It’s about getting Australians active, but also about building inclusivity, social cohesion and stronger communities.
“Swimming is such an important activity to Australia culturally, and these community grants reflect the diversity of our nation.
“Programs will be run from the remote region of Coolgardie in Western Australia through to the Little Heroes Swim Academy in the heart of Sydney.”
In Canberra, for example, Club Lime Swim School will launch a mobile learn to swim program, allowing current instructors the chance to provide swimming and water safety lessons to people with a disability at different locations around the territory.
Swimming Australia CEO Leigh Russell said she was delighted the Community Swimming Grants Program would aid many organisations around the country.
“Firstly, I’d like to thank the Australian Government for giving Swimming Australia the opportunity to provide these grants and strategic partnerships to so many swim schools, swimming bodies and community groups who are doing fantastic work in their local areas,” Russell said.
“The more people who have access to swimming lessons and water safety the better – swimming is such a vital life skill, and I know this funding will go a long way in promoting and facilitating these skills to those most at risk in the community.
“These grants also encourage social inclusion which generate genuine friendships and relationships.”
The Community Swimming Grants Program will be complemented by strategic partnerships with 11 key organisations who will conduct programs across 57 locations. One of the organisations to benefit is The Aqua English Project in Queensland.
“These programs are designed to have major impact and we know they will make a difference to people’s lives,” Minister Colbeck said.
“The Aqua English Project in Queensland is a fantastic example, which will run in five Queensland locations and deliver both water safety and English language skills for more than 750 adults.”
The Community Swimming Grants Program and Swimming Australia strategic partnerships are being supported as part of the Australian Government’s $28.9 million Move It Aus Participation Grants program, managed by Government agency Sport Australia.
The Move It Aus Participation Grants program, is delivering 62 projects across the country to help get more Australians physically active.
Community Swimming Grants Program Recipients
Club Lime Swim School
Illawarra Multicultural Services Inc
Eurobodalla Shire Council
Lake Macquarie City Council
Little Heroes Swim Academy Ltd
Water Skills For Life inc
Alice Springs Town Council
Australian Crawl (Goodna) Pty Ltd
Genesis Sport & Aquatics
CPL - Choice, Passion, Life
Fraser Coast Regional Council
Hurricane Stars Club
SA Aquatic & Leisure Centre
Norwood Swimming Club
Playford Aquatic Club
Thebarton Aquatic Centre
Welcoming Australia
George Town Neighbourhood House Inc
Darebin Council
City of Stonnington
City of Whittlesea
Moonee Valley City Council
SwimSafe Bendigo
Royal Life Saving Society WA Inc.
Shire of Coolgardie
Shire of Esperance
Swimming Women
Strategic Partnerships Recipients
Belgravia Leisure Foundation
Swimming Queensland
Swimming New South Wales
Swimming Tasmania
Sporting Wheelies – Queensland
The Aqua English Project
Australian Swimming Coaches and Teachers Association / Swim Australia
Centre for Multicultural Youth
Swimming South Australia
Cerebral Palsy Alliance
Swimming Western Australia
