Stanley Construction and Matamata swim club support Learn to Swim initiative

Matamata swimming club treasurer, Heath Tapper, believes the club has a responsibility to provide swimming lessons to the Matamata public.

Local company, Stanley Construction, sponsor the swim safe programme by subsidizing it to make it more affordable for families.

The Stanley family have been long term supporters of swimming. Stanley Construction company director Don Stanley was director of swimming for the 1990 Commonwealth Games and was awarded an OBE in 1991 for his services to swimming and local government. Don’s grandson, Matthew Stanley, competed at the London Olympics last year before winning a bronze medal in the 400m freestyle at the World Short Course Championships in Istanbul in December.

As well as the subsidy, Stanley Construction also fully pays for 20 kids to learn to swim. Ten local schools each select two children to receive the free swimming lessons.

The programme consists of ten 30 minute lessons run by volunteers who have been ASTA trained. Two swimming sessions, twice a week, result in the greatest number of children being taught. Each child receives either a swim bag or a pair of goggles.

This is a wonderful initiative which is well supported by the Matamata public and the club hopes that it will continue to grow.