A young wheelchair user had an experience where he felt excluded from the club because of poor club culture and the Paraburdoo Amateur Swimming Club wanted to connect with more community members in the town of Paraburdoo.
The club wanted to create a more welcoming inclusive club for all community members to feel valued and have a sense of belonging in the community. The club focused on having social events and promoted social swimming. They focused on promoting their club at council events and by connecting with the community online. They received training from Inclusion Solutions to equip the Paraburdoo Amateur Swimming Club with the necessary skills to achieve their goals.
What happened next:
In one year the club increased their membership by 140 new members in a town of 1600 people a 148% increase.
PASC was Swimming WA’s first Affiliated Club to be awarded the Membership Growth Incentive. They also received a $500 Scody voucher from Swimming WA for this achievement. They estimated an economic benefit of $17,000 over the year.
The club received 10 new volunteers, increased sales in their merchandise, and attracted new committee members. FIFO workers became active members of the club, attending the club’s social events. The young man in the wheelchair became a member and the hoist was used regularly at the pool.
PASC started a Junior Dolphins Squad which bridges the gap between learn-to-swim programmes and club membership for children aged four years and above.