AusLeisure

The team at Alan Coulter Recreation Centre in the South Australian Riverland town of Renmark, have been presented with the Community Aquatic Program of the Year award at this year’s Life Saving South Australia Awards of Excellence.

The Community Aquatic Program of the Year celebrates a specialised and tailored program that has been facilitated and delivered within the aquatic industry to achieve a specific outcome.

The team was recognised for the Splash and Learn Pool Playgroup which was designed for families who hold concession cards, providing the opportunity for preschool children living with families on limited income to gain water confidence and water safety skills while further strengthening their bonding relationship with their parent or caregiver.

The South Australian Department of Human Services - Safer Families Division has worked on the program with Renmark Paringa Council and Centre Manager Naomi Jones since February 2021, holding the  Program every Monday.

Advising that the Program runs for approximately 60 minutes with one infant-accredited swimming teacher for the program, Jones advised “we have found that the social interaction between parents, guardians and children has been very beneficial as some parents have never engaged in any activity with other parents or children.”

The class averages about six to eight participants per week, averaging between six months to four years of age.

Jones adds “we have seen growth week by week.

“One success of our program is that we have seen parents bond with their child when they may have previously struggled to do so. Bonding with a child can be a long journey and it is not easy but with the Splash and Learn Playgroup is the start of a very rewarding journey for both the child and parent or guardian.”

Images: Alan Coulter Recreation Centre. Credit: Renmark Paringa Council.

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