More than 4,500 Victorian kids have the chance to learn to swim with VICSWIM
Posted on 24 January, 2012
Enrolments for this year’s VICSWIM Summer Kidz Program across Victoria has seen more than 4,500 kids taking part in the Victorian Coalition Government’s $1.6 million learn-to-swim election commitment.
Minister for Sport and Recreation Hugh Delahunty was joined by Member for Northern Metropolitan Region Craig Ondarchie today at Ivanhoe Aquatic and Fitness Centre to make the announcement.
Minister Delahunty thanked Aquatics and Recreation Victoria for managing the learn-to-swim program in conjunction with the 12 metropolitan swimming pools, 70 regional pools and nine open water venues around Victoria who took on an extra 1,500 kids to accommodate the significant community demand.
The Victorian Coalition Government has provided $1.6 million over four years towards the VICSWIM Summer Kidz Program. The program offers subsidised swimming lessons, significantly cutting the cost for participants in learn-to-swim classes.
“Being able to swim is an essential water safety skill, particularly during the warm summer months as children are more inclined to play in and around water,” Mr Delahunty said.
“Through the VICSWIM program, kids not only learn important survival skills, but they also have the chance to make new friends as well as boost their health by being more active more often.
“It is fantastic to see Victorian families from a range of cultural and linguistic backgrounds and families from rural Victoria take up this opportunity for their kids to learn important life-saving skills. It shows just how important swimming lessons are for our communities,” Mr Delahunty said
Member for Northern Metropolitan region Craig Ondarchie said the VICSWIM learn-to-swim program had gone a long way towards making swimming lessons more affordable for Victorian families, and had provided swimming lessons for children at local swimming pools, such as Ivanhoe, and right across the state.
“The Victorian Coalition Government is delivering on its election commitment to help save lives and ensure as many children as possible have affordable access to a learn-to-swim program in Victoria,” Mr Delahunty said.
“As the 2012 VICSWIM program comes to a close, I encourage families to look out for further opportunities for their children to participate in learn-to-swim programs.”