NT government announces $50k funding for Swimming NT all abilities coach

The CLP’s swimming lesson cash splash has continued with a further $50k announced for an all abilities swim coach. Read the details.

The announcement of the all abilities swim coach comes after a semester of the government’s school swimming program. Picture: NT Education and Training

The Northern Territory Government will fund an all abilities swim coach to strengthen Paralympic pathways and support swimmers with a disability.

Sports Minister Jinson Charls made the $50,000 funding announcement on Monday flanked by the Education Minister, local member, Darwin Lord Mayor and representatives of the Australian swim team (the Dolphins).

“Having a dedicated all abilities coach in the Territory means more young people with a disability will learn to swim, gain confidence, and grow their skills in the water,” the Sports Minister said.

L to R: City of Darwin Lord Mayor Kon Vatskalis, Dolphins Head Coach Rohan Taylor, Member for Fannie Bay Laurie Zio, Sports Minister Jinson Charls, Education Minister Jo Hersey, Olympic medallist and team leader Elijah Winnington at Parap Pool. Picture: Darcy Fitzgerald

“We are building clear pathways for people with a disability, from learning to swim competing at elite levels.”

Education Minister Jo Hersey used the opportunity to spruik her government’s $3m Swimming in Schools program, which she said had engaged 50 out of 133 government schools and 5513 primary school students so far this year.

“It’s great to see so many Territory students learning to swim, especially kids in remote schools who are working with Royal Life Saving NT to deliver the program,” Mrs Hersey said.

“That $3m our government has committed to the Swimming in Schools program could potentially have the next young Olympian training right from the time they go to school and could one day be in the Dolphins team in the future.”

Swimming at Utju in Central Australia at a Remote Pool Projects pool. Picture: Facebook

The Minister conceded some of the students were forced to participate in land-based lessons rather than getting wet, but said this was mainly for young children who could not travel to a pool on excursions.

Previously, the department of education had refused to disclose how many schools were doing “land-based” lessons, but travel times between the nearest pool and remote schools paint a picture of the inherent challenges this ambitious program faces.

At least 28 schools face a three-hour plus journey each way, with multiple schools requiring flights or a ferry to access their nearest pool.

Australian Dolphins head coach Rohan Taylor said he was “excited” about the idea of teaching every Territory kid how to swim. Picture: Darcy Fitzgerald

Mrs Hersey said she would continue to work with these schools to support them to complete the program.

“We’re working with the department to work with the schools to work out what school is closest to them so they can get their students to do the Learn to Swim program.

“For example, Amanbidji School was able to travel (across the border) to Kununurra for their school swimming program.”

Dolphins head coach Rohan Taylor said he supported the initiative, hoping it may produce more regional swimmers.

“I’m really excited about the program that’s being offered here for the schools and the kids in the regional areas,” he said.

“A lot of these athletes on the Dolphins team also come from regional areas, not just big cities and towns.”

Originally published as NT government announces $50k funding for Swimming NT all abilities coach