Thousands of Australians to Benefit from Community Swimming Grants Program

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Thousands of Australians 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, Swimming Australia announced today.

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.

Federal 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 in a Swimming Australia Media Release.

“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.”

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Photo Courtesy: Swimming Australia

In the Nation’s capital, 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.”

Asian mother and her children happy in swimming pool of a resort together in sunny day

Photo Courtesy: Swimming Australia

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.

HERE is a full list of 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 TasmaniaSporting 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

 

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