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Wright Family Foundation Specialist Schools Programme Continues to Grow

For many disabled and neurodivergent tamariki and rangatahi, the water can present one thing actually particular – a spot the place they will transfer freely, construct confidence and expertise a way of accomplishment.
Through the Specialist Schools Programme, college students throughout Aotearoa are being supported to develop their bodily literacy, water confidence and delight by common, constructive experiences within the water.
Made potential by the beneficiant assist of the Wright Family Foundation, the programme helps guarantee disabled and neurodivergent tamariki and rangatahi have higher entry to swimming alternatives and the various bodily, social and wellbeing advantages that being lively within the water can present.
Kylie Wright, Funding and Relationship Manager on the Wright Family Foundation, expressed the Foundation’s delight in supporting this programme.
“We are incredibly proud to support this Swimming NZ kaupapa and, through the Specialist Schools Programme, play a part in giving tamariki and rangatahi the opportunity to experience the joy, freedom and confidence that water can bring. Seeing the difference these experiences make to children and their whānau is incredibly special to us, and we feel very privileged to be part of it.”
Established in 2022 by Swimming New Zealand, through the Sport NZ Disability Inclusion Fund, the programme helps higher perceive and assist the bodily literacy, water security and therapeutic wants of disabled and neurodivergent college students attending specialist faculties and satellite tv for pc school rooms all through New Zealand.
While aggressive swimming is a vital pathway for a lot of athletes, this programme focuses on one thing extra basic – serving to college students develop a constructive relationship with water, construct confidence and revel in being lively in a protected and supportive surroundings.
As Kiwis, we’re surrounded by water, and that is no completely different for disabled and neurodivergent tamariki and rangatahi. The programme goals to make sure those that might expertise obstacles to participation have the identical alternatives to study important water abilities, develop confidence and construct a lifelong reference to the water.
Creating constructive experiences that final
The Wright Family Foundation Specialist Schools Programme takes a domestically led strategy, working alongside faculties and communities to create experiences that meet the person wants of scholars.
Success is measured not by outcomes, however by the arrogance college students construct within the water. For many, the buoyancy and heat of the pool present alternatives for motion, independence and achievement that are not all the time potential on land.
“The water provides a place where he can be himself”
For households, the impression of the programme extends properly past studying to swim.
One mother or father shared the distinction swimming has made for his or her son who lives with autism and vital sensory and communication challenges.
“The water provides a calming environment that helps [my son] regulate his emotions, build physical strength, and connect with others in a way that is difficult in most classroom settings. His confidence in and out of the water has grown noticeably, and we’ve seen improvements in his focus, coordination, and willingness to try new things.”
Teachers have additionally seen the programme’s impression, noting the water offers alternatives for motion and train that many college students can not obtain on land whereas additionally supporting studying and wellbeing.
“Beyond physical and sensory benefits, swimming also encourages essential social skills such as communication, cooperation, and turn-taking. Students celebrate small achievements, grow in independence, and develop a sense of accomplishment that carries into other areas of their school life.”
Growing impression throughout specialist faculties
The Wright Family Foundation Specialist Schools Programme continues the work supported by Swimming New Zealand’s Sport New Zealand Disability Inclusion Funding obtained between 2022 and 2025.
Since then, the programme has continued to broaden. Last 12 months the programme delivered greater than 250 periods, funded 11 faculties, and supported greater than 140 college students to expertise the advantages of being lively within the water.
The programme is proudly funded by the Wright Family Foundation, whose assist has enabled Swimming New Zealand to proceed constructing on the foundations created by earlier incapacity inclusion funding whereas increasing alternatives for disabled and neurodivergent tamariki and rangatahi all through Aotearoa.
Cameron Leslie PLY MNZM, Swimming New Zealand’s Disability and Para Swimming Participation Manager, stated the suggestions from households and faculties highlights the significance of making these alternatives.
“It’s easy to forget how important water is to our hauora, or wellbeing. The feedback we’ve received from parents and teachers shows just how meaningful these experiences have been for students. My thanks go to the Wright Family Foundation and everyone involved in helping create these opportunities and allowing more tamariki and rangatahi to build confidence and enjoy time in the water.”
Looking forward
Swimming New Zealand stays dedicated to enhancing entry and alternatives for disabled and neurodivergent tamariki and rangatahi to interact with water in significant and constructive methods.
By working alongside specialist faculties, communities and companions, the Wright Family Foundation Specialist Schools Programme will proceed serving to college students construct confidence, develop bodily literacy and foster a lifelong reference to water.
For many college students, the best achievement will not be a time on the clock or a consequence on the scoreboard – it’s the confidence to enter the water, benefit from the expertise and know they belong.
This web page was created programmatically, to learn the article in its authentic location you may go to the hyperlink bellow:
https://www.swimmingnz.org/post/wright-family-foundation-specialist-schools-programme-builds-confidence-connection
and if you wish to take away this text from our web site please contact us

