Rainbow Club appoints Nikki Horton as National Manager for Club Network Development

In response to growing market demand for Rainbow Clubs beyond its current network, Rainbow Club has appointed of Nikki Horton in the newly-created role of National Manager, Club Network Development.

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.

Horton brings to Rainbow Club more than 20 years’ experience in working with children in education and sporting environments. Before her time in the sports industry Horton worked for over a decade as a teacher in Western Sydney. 

She also spent over 10 years at Netball NSW, most recently as the Executive General Manager of the NSW Swifts and prior to that as the Head of Netball and General Manager, Sport Development.

Catriona Barry, Chief Executive of Rainbow Club Australia, said Horton’s extensive skills will complement the depth of experience in Rainbow Club’s current development team.

Barry notes Horton’s experience in a leadership role in the community and sport sector is second to none. She has a strong understanding of the needs of children to be active.

Barry adds “with over 1,000 children on Rainbow Club’s waiting lists, it’s clear that the need for our model of providing individualised lessons in a social environment is more important than ever among families of children with a disability. The demand has spread outside Sydney with enquiries coming from regional areas in NSW as well as from Brisbane and Melbourne.  

“With Nikki leading the development side of our organisation, we are confident we can build on our capability and capacity to help families beyond our current geographic footprint.”

Horton advises “Learning to swim is a life skill and swimming is part of the Australian culture.  Water safety is critical for all children.

“I’m excited to have joined Rainbow Club, who has long been a leader and pioneer in helping children with a disability learn to swim.”

Recognising the increasing demand for its services, Rainbow Club has continued to invest in the growth of its network and will open eight new clubs over the coming months.

Rainbow Club is a registered charity and a registered Not for Profit organisation.  It has been operating for over 50 years.