STUDENTS are making a splash at the pool by diving in for swimming lessons in Tamworth each week.
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The city's PCYC Fit for Life initiative won a whopping $3,000 in community funding through the Greater Bank's Greater New England program, in the latest monthly round.
A portion of the cash has been splashed on swimming lessons for a number of young people, who are taking part in Fit for Life.
Senior Constable Andrena Sandison, a youth worker at the Tamworth PCYC, said a trip to the dam highlighted the need to build stronger swimmers.
"We took a trip out to Lake Keepit and we noticed the swimming ability for a lot of the kids was below average," she said.
"This is funding well spent, to give them a real life skill."
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The lessons run three mornings each week before school, and will take place this term and also next term.
The students are having their swimming strokes coached by the team over at 360 Fitness Club, at the centre's indoor pool.
The major prize for last month's Greater New England funding was won by the PCYC's Fit for Life after a public vote.
Senior Constable Sandison said that makes the support all the more special.
"It was based on a community vote, so we were really happy that the PCYC members and staff and the police and the community all got behind us to get us across the line," she said.
"That's really positive to know we've got positive backing behind us and that people are taking the time to vote."
There are about 11 youths of different ages and abilities and from different schools taking part in the swimming program.
Senior Constable Sandison said the pool sessions had proven relatively popular so far, among the participating students.
The Fit for Life initiative aims to support at-risk youth.
The program was predominately focused around boxing, which Senior Constable Sandison said is a major part of the PCYC's history, but due to COVID-19 social distancing restrictions, other activities have been incorporated.
"Some of the funding was also used to update sporting equipment," she said.
Things like indoor hockey, lacrosse and soccer gear were on the shopping list.
"Winning the Greater New England funding means we can improve our sporting equipment supplies, which will allow us to expand our program offering and increase the number of young people engaged in the program," Senior Constable Sandison said.
The Fit for Life initiative is part of the NSW police force's Rise Up strategy.
It's designed to engage young people who have had referrals to the program, and encourage them to have a long-term involvement with the PCYC.
The ultimate goal of Rise Up is to link people to employment opportunities, as well as to empower young people by developing their skills, leadership and character.
Sharing in last month's funding was Gomeroi Maliyan-Go Football Club and Gunnedah and District Spinners and Weavers, who both received $1,000.
Voting is now open for this month's round of Greater New England grants.
Police and crime reporter at the Newcastle Herald.
Police and crime reporter at the Newcastle Herald.
