YMCA: learn-to-swim goes hand-in-hand with pool reform

In a week when the NSW Government announced plans to improve laws governing the fencing of domestic swimming pools and the mandatory registration of swimming pools, the YMCA has highlighted the need for further reform to truly protect young people.

While welcoming the NSW Government's plans, YMCA of Sydney Chief Executive Phillip Hare agreed that the NSW Government is right in saying that it is unacceptable that NSW is over-represented in national backyard swimming statistics.

However, Hare believes that it isn't the only statistic we should be ashamed of, explain "new legislation will make a difference but what we need to ensure goes hand-in-hand with reform is a focus on active supervision for children under 10 and teaching our children how to swim.

"On top of the announced reforms, the Y calls on the (NSW) Government to work towards reducing the barriers whether it be isolation, socio-economic status or cultural background to learning one of the most important life lessons, how to swim.

"50,000 children are leaving primary school each year without reaching national swimming benchmarks, many of whom come from low socio-economic groups or from Indigenous or migrant backgrounds.

"Each year, over 14,000 children and young people learn how to swim in a YMCA pool in NSW, and 40,000 nationally. Through our focus on developing young people, we are committed to ensuring that all have access to our services, including learn-to-swim. With the swimming season coming towards us, now is the time to act."