The Finocchiaro CLP Government is continuing to deliver in its year of action, certainty and security by expanding access to inclusive swimming programs and para sport pathways.
Minister for People, Sport and Culture, Jinson Charls, today announced a $50,000 funding commitment for Swimming NT to employ a dedicated all abilities coach.
The new position will enhance Swimming NT's ability to provide aquatic-based physical activity opportunities for people living with a disability. It will also play a key role in strengthening the Paralympic pathway by supporting the development of both current and emerging para-athletes.
Mr Charls said he was proud to support equitable access for young Territorians learning to swim.
"This investment is just the beginning. Having a dedicated all abilities coach in the Territory means more young people with a disability will learn to swim, gain confidence, and grow their skills in the water.
"We are building clear pathways for people with a disability, from learning to swim competing at elite levels," he said.
The funding for an all-abilities coach complements the CLP Government's commitment to teach all Territory primary school students to swim through the Swimming in Schools program.
Minister for Education and Training, Jo Hersey, highlighted the success of the Swimming in Schools program.
So far in 2025, 50 NT Government schools, equating to 5,513 primary school students, have participated in water-based swimming lessons, with a further 73 NT Government schools set to participate in Terms 3 and 4.
Land-based lessons are available in unique and rare circumstances for students in very remote schools that do not have access to a pool, or where cultural and community concerns about young students having to travel long distances are raised.
The land-based lessons teach students theory-based water safety education until they are able to complete the practical water component when pool access becomes available.
"The Swimming in Schools program, backed by the CLP Government's annual $3 million investment, delivers cost of living relief for Territory families while promoting essential lifesaving skills to all Territory students," Mrs Hersey said.
"It's great to see so many Territory students learning to swim, especially kids in remote schools who are working with Royal Life Saving NT to deliver the program."
Examples of remote schools travelling for swimming lessons include Amanbidji School, where the closest pool identified was in Kununurra, Western Australia. Students and staff travelled to Kununurra to deliver the program.
Shepherdson College in Galiwin'ku is working with their urban satellite school to schedule swimming programs as students attend urban excursions.
Dolphins Head Coach Rohan Taylor joined the Ministers for the funding announcement while the team is in Darwin training for the World Championships.
Quotes attributable to Dolphins Head Coach Rohan Taylor:
"Choosing Darwin as our pre-World Championship base is a powerful endorsement of the facilities, climate and community here," Taylor said.
"The location is a short drop into Singapore, the climate is perfect for our preparation and Darwin - with the support of City of Darwin, the Territory Government and the Federal Government, the Northern Territory has become a premium high-performance destination.
"And for us it is also an opportunity to engage and connect with the local community and hopefully we can inspire dreams and showcase the pathway of becoming a Dolphin.
"We have started our runway into the LA Olympics and to be great in LA this very young team is going to learn what is needed on the global stage in Singapore, and the journey has started here in the Top End."
