AusLeisure

The Y NSW has secured the Australian Swim School Association (ASSA) National Award of Excellence for Inclusion - awarded for its commitment to inclusive swimming at Camden’s Mount Annan Leisure Centre (MALC).

The award was announced virtually during the ASSA 2021 Conference on Thursday (26th August).

The Y NSW is a registered National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) service provider and since October 2020, enrolments of students with disabilities have grown by 300% at MALC.

Y NSW Chief Executive, Susannah Le Bron said it was wonderful to see the team’s unwavering commitment to accessibility acknowledged on the national stage and noted “at the Y, celebrating diversity is part of our DNA. The past 12 months at MALC have been about ensuring that this commitment to inclusion is front and centre across our swim programs.

“Since becoming an NDIS provider, we are so proud to have exponentially increased our impact of our programs at MALC and Camden War Memorial Pool, teaching up to 50 neuro-diverse infants, children, teens and adults to swim. We have witnessed profound benefits to these students and their families and our instructors have also enjoyed the benefits of increased education and awareness.

“I am so proud of the Mount Annan team, led by Centre Manager Ryan O’Loughlin and Aquatics Coordinator Ned Anson, for always keeping Inclusion on the agenda and ensuring that the benefits, joy and lifesaving skill of swimming is accessible to all.”

In addition to expanding the NDIS offering, MALC also ran a campaign during 2020 to reduce stigma surrounding teens and adults learning to swim. The ‘Never Too Late’ campaign targeted migrant populations in the Camden locality with limited water safety and swimming skills, as well as teens who may have missed out or lapsed in their swimming education. The initiative led to a growth in teen enrolments from 36 to 66 and a five-fold increase in the number of adults learning to swim at the centre over a six-month period.

The award is the first ASSA trophy on the Y NSW’s shelf and is uplifting news for centre staff currently unable to offer swimming lessons due to the statewide COVID-19 lockdown.

Mount Annan Leisure Centre and Camden War Memorial Pool are managed by the Y NSW on behalf of Camden Council.
To find out more about Aquatics at MALC, visit ymcansw.org.au/centres/mount-annan-leisure-centre/programs/aquatics/

Image: Mount Annan Leisure Centre Learn to Swim Coordinator Ned Anson

Related Articles

26th August 2021 - City Venue Management opens first Fish N Flips swim school

9th August 2021 - Y NSW calls on NSW Government to support the survival of community sport, aquatics and recreation sector

30th July 2021 - Y NSW reappointed to manage Camden aquatic, fitness and recreation facilities

7th July 2021 - With swim schools facing permanent closure industry leader calls for learn-to-swim services to be classed as an essential service

28th June 2021 - ASSA announces partnership with Marketing to Mums founder

5th July 2021 - Y NSW commits to community connection during Greater Sydney COVID lockdown

27th April 2021 - Y NSW launches active wellness program ‘Uplift’ at Hawkesbury Oasis

19th April 2021 - Y NSW celebrates 50th anniversary of Y Bankstown City

31st May 2021 - ASSA and SPASA announce working partnership

9th March 2021 - Y NSW launches new active wellness program for Parramatta and Mount Annan youth

11th February 2021 - The Y NSW new Board Members share a passion for youth empowerment

28th January 2021 - Y NSW and Westfield Parramatta collaborate to launch a dedicated pop-up youth space

9th December 2020 - The Y NSW collaborates with Sydney Kings to develop community basketball

30th November 2020 - AUSTSWIM recognises Y NSW’s Dev Sappany as nation’s top swim instructor

12th November 2020 - Customer check-in to become mandatory for many NSW venues and events from 23rd November

4th October 2020 - The Y NSW offers free training for HSC Students

10th August 2020 - Australian Swim Schools’ virtual conference a huge success

---

Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.