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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. 💙 NSW Clubs Partners 2025-2026 Austral Bowling Club Bathurst RSL Club Burwood RSL Club Cabra-Vale Diggers Club Camden Golf Club Campsie RSL Group Canterbury League Club Castle Hill RSL Club Chatswood RSL Club Club Merrylands Bowling Club Club on East Club Parramatta Drummoyne Sailing Club Dubbo RSL Club Group Earlwood Bardwell Park RSL Club Gerringong Bowling & Recreation Club Goulburn Soldiers Club Hornsby RSL Club Kiama Leagues Club North Ryde RSL Community Club North Sydney Leagues Club Orange Ex-Services Club Panthers Bathurst Penshurst RSL Club Rules Club Wagga Seven Hills RSL Club Shellharbour Club Singleton Hospitality Group Smithfield RSL Club St Johns Park Bowling Club The Wests Group Newcastle 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. 9 July 2026 2025/26 ClubGRANTS Impact: Supporting Safer Communities Across NSW Education & Awareness < Back to News 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. 💙 NSW Clubs Partners 2025-2026 Austral Bowling Club Bathurst RSL Club Burwood RSL Club Cabra-Vale Diggers Club Camden Golf Club Campsie RSL Group Canterbury League Club Castle Hill RSL Club Chatswood RSL Club Club Merrylands Bowling Club Club on East Club Parramatta Drummoyne Sailing Club Dubbo RSL Club Group Earlwood Bardwell Park RSL Club Gerringong Bowling & Recreation Club Goulburn Soldiers Club Hornsby RSL Club Kiama Leagues Club North Ryde RSL Community Club North Sydney Leagues Club Orange Ex-Services Club Panthers Bathurst Penshurst RSL Club Rules Club Wagga Seven Hills RSL Club Shellharbour Club Singleton Hospitality Group Smithfield RSL Club St Johns Park Bowling Club The Wests Group Newcastle 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. Previous Next < Back to News Related Posts 1,800 NSW Teachers Equipped with Lifesaving Skills Ahead of Summer News and Media Emerging Swim Teachers Dive into a Day of Learning at the 2026 Swimposium News and Media Record ClubGRANTS Support Helps Royal Life Saving NSW Reach More Communities News and Media

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With drowning rates rising and nearly half of Year 6 students lacking basic swimming ability, Royal Life Saving spokesperson Craig Roberts—is urging parents to act now and enrol children in quality learn‑to‑swim programs aligned with the National Swimming and Water Safety Framework. Startling Statistics: A Generation Without Essential Skills Royal Life Saving Australia’s analysis of school teacher surveys reveals that 48% of Year 6 students are unable to swim 50 metres or tread water for two minutes—two fundamental benchmarks by age 12. Alarmingly, Swimming proficiency shows little improvement after Year 7. During the 2024–25 summer (Dec - Feb), Australia recorded 104 drowning fatalities, including 10 children under 14. This decline has roots in structural challenges: many families don’t or can’t continue lessons beyond primary school, and schools themselves often fail to offer swimming education—with 31% of schools providing no learn-to-swim programs, and 25% not holding swimming carnivals. Framework for Lifelong Safety First introduced in 1999 and updated in recent years, the National Swimming and Water Safety Framework lays out clear national benchmarks for ages 6, 12, and 17. It defines competencies—from survival swimming and flotation to attitudes and behaviours—that form the foundation of a structured, progressive aquatic education. This Framework, endorsed by the Australian Water Safety Council is designed to guide governments, swim schools, educators—and critically, parents—in selecting programs that deliver balanced swimming and water safety education. Equity, Multicultural Engagement & Community Action—Craig Roberts Speaks Craig Roberts, General Manager of Drowning Prevention and Education at Royal Life Saving NSW, highlights the need to bridge gaps among diverse communities. A key focus is on 572 drowning deaths among people born overseas between 2009 and 2019, making up 29% of all drownings—and most of those were among adults with poor survival skillsets. Roberts emphasises that a well‑designed campaign helps families feel seen and informed—especially through translated resources in Arabic, Chinese, Hindi, and Nepali—and strengthens community awareness and uptake of lessons. drowningprevention.org.au What Parents Should Do Now Enrol children early and maintain continuity: Early swimming exposure needs sustained progression to meet Framework benchmarks through primary and secondary years. Select programs aligned with the Framework: Look for swim schools offering structured, benchmark‑based instruction—such as those accredited under Royal Life Saving’s Swim and Survive program. Advocate for school-based programs: Where possible, push for learn-to-swim offerings in schools—especially where programs have been cut due to staffing, funding, or timetable pressures. Reach communities with barriers: New NSW initiatives—like Project Elevate, delivering over 50,000 free lessons to culturally diverse, regional, and low‑income families—provide an opportunity to support those most in need. drowningprevention.org.au In Summary Australia’s drowning trends underscore a distressing reality: vital swimming skills aren’t being achieved, and the consequences are mounting. The National Swimming and Water Safety Framework offers a clear roadmap for equipping children with life-saving competencies—but participation from families, educators, and communities is essential. As Craig Roberts puts it: ensuring “families from multicultural backgrounds feel seen, represented, and have an increased awareness of the value of swimming lessons”—is not just about skill-building; it’s about saving lives and building lifelong safety and confidence. Download the National Swimming and Water Safety Framework 12 Aug 2025 Parents Urged to Prioritise Swimming Lessons in Line with National Water Safety Benchmarks News and Media < Back to News With drowning rates rising and nearly half of Year 6 students lacking basic swimming ability, Royal Life Saving spokesperson Craig Roberts—is urging parents to act now and enrol children in quality learn‑to‑swim programs aligned with the National Swimming and Water Safety Framework . Startling Statistics: A Generation Without Essential Skills Royal Life Saving Australia’s analysis of school teacher surveys reveals that 48% of Year 6 students are unable to swim 50 metres or tread water for two minutes —two fundamental benchmarks by age 12. Alarmingly, Swimming proficiency shows little improvement after Year 7 . During the 2024–25 summer (Dec - Feb) , Australia recorded 104 drowning fatalities , including 10 children under 14 . This decline has roots in structural challenges: many families don’t or can’t continue lessons beyond primary school, and schools themselves often fail to offer swimming education —with 31% of schools providing no learn-to-swim programs, and 25% not holding swimming carnivals. Framework for Lifelong Safety First introduced in 1999 and updated in recent years, the National Swimming and Water Safety Framework lays out clear national benchmarks for ages 6 , 12 , and 17 . It defines competencies—from survival swimming and flotation to attitudes and behaviours—that form the foundation of a structured, progressive aquatic education. This Framework, endorsed by the Australian Water Safety Council is designed to guide governments, swim schools, educators—and critically, parents—in selecting programs that deliver balanced swimming and water safety education. Equity, Multicultural Engagement & Community Action—Craig Roberts Speaks Craig Roberts, General Manager of Drowning Prevention and Education at Royal Life Saving NSW, highlights the need to bridge gaps among diverse communities. A key focus is on 572 drowning deaths among people born overseas between 2009 and 2019, making up 29% of all drownings —and most of those were among adults with poor survival skillsets. Roberts emphasises that a well‑designed campaign helps families feel seen and informed—especially through translated resources in Arabic, Chinese, Hindi, and Nepali —and strengthens community awareness and uptake of lessons. drowningprevention.org.au What Parents Should Do Now Enrol children early and maintain continuity : Early swimming exposure needs sustained progression to meet Framework benchmarks through primary and secondary years. Select programs aligned with the Framework : Look for swim schools offering structured, benchmark‑based instruction—such as those accredited under Royal Life Saving’s Swim and Survive program. Advocate for school-based programs : Where possible, push for learn-to-swim offerings in schools—especially where programs have been cut due to staffing, funding, or timetable pressures. Reach communities with barriers : New NSW initiatives—like Project Elevate , delivering over 50,000 free lessons to culturally diverse, regional, and low‑income families—provide an opportunity to support those most in need. drowningprevention.org.au In Summary Australia’s drowning trends underscore a distressing reality: vital swimming skills aren’t being achieved, and the consequences are mounting. The National Swimming and Water Safety Framework offers a clear roadmap for equipping children with life-saving competencies—but participation from families, educators, and communities is essential. As Craig Roberts puts it: ensuring “families from multicultural backgrounds feel seen, represented, and have an increased awareness of the value of swimming lessons”—is not just about skill-building; it’s about saving lives and building lifelong safety and confidence. Download the National Swimming and Water Safety Framework National-Swimming-and-Water-Safety-Framework_FINAL-2020 (6) .pdf Download PDF • 13.45MB Previous Next < Back to News Related Posts 1,800 NSW Teachers Equipped with Lifesaving Skills Ahead of Summer News and Media Emerging Swim Teachers Dive into a Day of Learning at the 2026 Swimposium News and Media Record ClubGRANTS Support Helps Royal Life Saving NSW Reach More Communities News and Media

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