Free Community Swim Programme Builds Confidence

Media Release
02 July 2009

Free Community Swim Programme Builds Water Confidence

A year on from its launch, more than 7,000 children from 58 Manukau schools have benefited from the John Walker ‘Find Your Field of Dreams’ Foundation CommunitySwim programme.

The free learn-to-swim programme for all Year 3 students in Manukau, a Manukau Leisure initiative, was the first project adopted by FYFOD after the Foundation’s launch last May.

It began with a pilot of two schools in term two then 12 schools signed up for the programme in term three, growing to 21 schools in term four. This year the programme was extended to include Year 4 students and 46 schools took part in terms one and two with a further 32 when term three begins later this month.

CommunitySwim programme manager for Manukau Leisure, Mike Groom, briefed the FYFOD board last month and reported that in a recent survey, 95% of the participants said they felt “a lot more confident” in the water after completing their programme of swimming lessons.

“That is most encouraging,” says FYFOD chairman, Sir John Walker. “Swimming is an essential life skill - we identified that many Manukau kids don’t have access to swimming lessons and so the CommunitySwim programme became a priority project for us last year. And we are delighted with the success and feedback from the children.”

"Even more pleasing is that 72% of participants are Pacific Island or Maori, a group over-represented in New Zealand’s drowning statistics,” says Sir John.

Without exception the schools involved are unstinting on their praise for the programme. “Students at our school have benefited greatly from the free swimming lessons,” says Anchorage Park Primary School principal, Lynne Keohane. “There has been a marked improvement in their self confidence as well as their swimming skills.”

That view is echoed by Pat Helsham, senior teacher at Holy Cross, a decile two school in Papatoetoe which last term had 180 Year 3 and 4 students engaged in the swim programme. “Because our school doesn’t have a pool, the free swimming lessons have been a great opportunity for our youngsters, many of whom had previously not experienced swimming in a pool,” she says. “Their confidence in the water has grown, they are eager to learn more and we have found an almost full attendance at school on the swim days.”

All schools report that the free buses to and from the swimming lessons provided by FYFOD with the help of generous funding support by the Lion Foundation, are an invaluable resource for schools and their pupils.

The success of the Manukau CommunitySwim programme follows hard on the heels of a recent Water Safety NZ survey which, according to WSNZ general manager Matt Claridge, confirmed “that changes to the school curriculum and reduced funding has resulted in a decrease in the quality of traditional school based learn to swim. Subsequently the swimming ability of our youth is falling at alarming levels. The flow on effect is an increased emphasis on private tuition.”

The research also indicated a strong bias towards European New Zealanders accessing private tuition, comprising 76% of the client base at private facilities.

Brett Jude, Manukau Leisure CEO, says the CommunitySwim programme is especially relevant now as many schools are unable to meet the maintenance and cost of keeping their own pools open. The free learn-to-swim programme is delivered at public pools by Manukau Leisure.

“It’s regrettable that many children are no longer able to access swimming lessons at school, but it’s fantastic that this group of organisations have been able to pull together to ensure that essential water skills are still learnt,” says Jude.

Manukau Leisure staff are also available to deliver swimming lessons at schools that have their own pools.

Schools interested in participating in the CommunitySwim programme can email communityswim@manukauleisure.co.nz or visit www.manukauleisure.co.nz for more information.

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