11,308 participants reached through lifesaving programs funded by local clubs

Royal Life Saving NSW is proud to celebrate another successful year of community impact through the NSW ClubGRANTS program, with more than 11,300 people participating in drowning prevention, water safety, swimming and lifesaving initiatives across the state during 2025/26.

Thanks to the support of 31 registered clubs across 22 local government areas, Royal Life Saving NSW secured $279,900 in ClubGRANTS funding, enabling the delivery of programs that equipped children, young people, adults and seniors with essential skills to stay safe in and around water and respond confidently in emergencies.

The ClubGRANTS scheme is one of Australia's largest local community support programs, providing funding from registered clubs to charities and not-for-profit organisations delivering projects that address local needs. Through these partnerships, Royal Life Saving NSW is able to remove barriers to participation and deliver lifesaving education to communities that may otherwise miss out.

A Year of Impact

During 2025/26, ClubGRANTS funding supported a diverse range of programs including water safety education, swimming and water confidence programs, CPR and first aid training, youth leadership initiatives and community transport solutions.

Collectively, these projects reached 11,308 participants across metropolitan and regional NSW and delivered significant outcomes:

• 4,443 preschool children learnt essential water safety fundamentals, helping to build lifelong safe behaviours around water from an early age.

• 3,968 primary school students increased their understanding of water safety, aquatic hazards and safe decision-making through curriculum-aligned education programs.

• 1,308 community members gained CPR, AED and emergency response skills through Community Pulse workshops.

• 311 young people developed practical rescue, lifesaving and water safety skills through Junior Lifesaver programs.

• 272 young people completed First Aid and CPR training through Youth Lifesaver initiatives, supporting leadership development and employability pathways.

• 66 participants improved their swimming ability, water confidence and water safety knowledge through targeted Learn to Swim programs.

• 940 participants accessed swimming and water safety programs through the Royal Life Saving Community Lifesaving Bus, removing transport barriers for vulnerable communities in Western Sydney.

Supporting Communities Most at Risk

A key focus of Royal Life Saving NSW's ClubGRANTS-funded work is ensuring vulnerable and disadvantaged communities have access to lifesaving education and aquatic participation opportunities.

Funding supported programs for:

• Children and young people

• Seniors

• Culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities

• Communities experiencing financial hardship

• Participants facing transport and accessibility barriers

• Schools and community groups in regional and metropolitan NSW

By reducing barriers to participation and providing free or subsidised access to programs, ClubGRANTS funding helps ensure lifesaving knowledge reaches those who need it most.

Statewide Reach

ClubGRANTS-funded programs were delivered across metropolitan Sydney, the Hunter, Western NSW, Riverina and Illawarra regions.

Some of the largest projects included:

• Water Smart Kids programs in Blacktown reaching more than 1,800 participants.

• Primary Water Safety Education programs in Canterbury-Bankstown engaging more than 1,000 students.

• Community Pulse CPR training delivered in communities across Sydney, regional NSW and Western NSW.

• Community transport initiatives supporting almost 1,000 participants to access aquatic programs.

• Youth Lifesaver and Junior Lifesaver programs helping hundreds of young people develop essential lifesaving skills.

  
  

Thank You to Our Club Partners

Royal Life Saving NSW sincerely thanks all clubs that supported our work through the ClubGRANTS program during 2025/26.

Your investment has helped children learn water safety, empowered community members to save lives through CPR, increased access to swimming and water safety education, and strengthened community resilience across NSW.

Together, we are building safer communities and working towards a future free from drowning.

We look forward to continuing these important partnerships and delivering even greater impact in the years ahead. 💙

Interested in supporting Royal Life Saving NSW through ClubGRANTS?

Contact our team to learn more about how your club can help fund local drowning prevention and lifesaving initiatives in your community.