A new partnership between YMCA Auckland, Plunket Auckland and Auckland Council is increasing the push for zero drownings in the under-five age group across Auckland.
The partnership, which takes effect from Monday 29 April 2019, is being driven by YMCA Auckland and will see the not-for-profit’s Swim School programme run out of eight Auckland pools rather than the current four.
In 2017, seven children under the age of five drowned in New Zealand, that’s two more than in 2016. Of those seven fatalities, five occurred in home pools. In that same year, a further 26 children were hospitalised as a result of near fatal drowning incidents.
“By adding four Auckland Council run pools to the list, we’ll have all of Auckland covered. By increasing our reach, we give more Auckland pre-schoolers access to potentially life-saving knowledge and education,” says Karla McCaughan, YMCA Auckland Swim School Quality Services Manager.
Plunket’s Northern Region Operations Manager Sam Ferreira says the new partnership is a fantastic opportunity to work towards zero drownings for Auckland pre-schoolers.
“Plunket works every day to build the confidence and knowledge of families and whānau, and we’re delighted to be able to provide half price swimming lessons to our Auckland clients and support their confidence around water safety.”
Since 2017, YMCA Auckland and Plunket Auckland have collaborated to deliver water safety sessions to 17,500 pre-schoolers via the four Auckland Council pools run by YMCA Auckland: Lagoon Pool and Leisure Centre, Onehunga War Memorial Pool, Cameron Pool and Leisure Centre, and Glen Innes Pool and Leisure Centre.
