Program needs a financial springboard

The YMCA Swim for Life program may be set to come under the auspices of the State Government after Regional Development and Lands Minister Brendon Grylls visited the team at Gratwick Aquatic Centre last Wednesday.

The indigenous youth first time employment program was created in Port Hedland and has developed over the past few years, training young indigenous people as life-guards and providing them employment at the town’s swimming pools.

Last month, Swim for Life took out two awards at the State Community Services Excellence Awards.

Speaking to program participants and co-ordinators, Mr Grylls said Swim for Life was a great program that should be supported.

“This program has a great track record up here with young people, and is a good example of how partnerships can work for the community,” he said.

“The Government likes programs that work, and if it works here, why not roll it out elsewhere.”

YMCA youth engagement and employment manager Tim Turner said Swim for Life was in a critical phase and just needed a little investment.

“We’ve had a lot of interest from all over the country for expanding the program, now it’s just a matter of waiting to see what funding we can get and what we can do,” he said.

“With the right investment we can use this program as a model to roll out across the regions.

“Right now we just need people to get behind us so we can see how we can support the growth of Swim for Life.”