AusLeisure

Rainbow Club Australia has announced the expansion of its network of social swimming clubs to the NSW South Coast, launching a Wollongong club late May, followed by Ulladulla in June and Bateman’s Bay in July.

Rainbow Club Chief Executive Catriona Barry is excited with the expansion programme which will provide personalised water safety and swimming lessons for children and young adults with a disability.

Currently there are 38 Rainbow Clubs operating in NSW providing swim safety to 1400 children. Rainbow Club’s main aim is to assist children, who find it difficult to participate in group swimming lessons, to achieve water confidence in a safe and nurturing environment.

Carly Baker has been appointed lead Teacher for the Wollongong Club. Baker is currently studying for her PhD in Organic Bioelectronics at Wollongong University. She is a passionate supporter of swimming for people with a disability and has been teaching with Rainbow Club since 2013.

Baker shares “teaching kids with a disability is so worthwhile. I feel like I can really make a difference. Even if I’m only helping one person, I’m changing a life for the better”.

Baker also points out the benefits Rainbow Club for parents and carers of children with a disability, by “providing social contacts and a break from the everyday routine”.

Wollongong Rainbow Club will meet at Beaton Park Leisure centre, (37 Foley Street, Gwynneville ) on Saturdays from 1pm-4pm and welcomes children with a disability regardless of the type of disability. Rainbow Club acknowledges Wollongong City Council’s support and co-operation in bringing the first Rainbow Club to the city.

Wollongong Lord Mayor Gordon Bradbery advised “Wollongong Council is pleased to be able to offer Beaton Park as a new home for a locally based Rainbow Club. The ability to swim is an incredibly important skill, especially for those living in Wollongong where we are so fortunate to live close to the ocean and be surrounded by fantastic beaches and pools.

“Learning to swim can and does save lives. We’re pleased that Rainbow Club has now expanded to offer services in our area for children who find it challenging to learn to swim in a group setting and need extra support.”

Wollongong Rainbow Club looks forward to welcoming children with a disability in and around the area to their local Rainbow Club from May 2022.

Rainbow Club is a network of social swimming clubs for children with a disability. With NDIS Provider status and their unique Swim the Rainbow program, Rainbow Club offers a fun and safe community for children with a disability to have personalised swimming lessons catered to their needs. The program recognises progress as a child moves through the colours of the rainbow. As they achieve their goals it supports them in the transition to squads and mainstream aqua activities.

Image: Carly Baker, Head Teacher for Rainbow Club Wollongong

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