Annual Report 2016-2017

Aktive Annual Report 2016/2017 27
Greater Auckland Aquatic Action Plan
The Greater Auckland Aquatic Action Plan (GAAAP) is a
collaborative project that coordinates professionally delivered
swimming lessons to primary school children in the greater
Auckland region, ensuring the development of fundamental
swimming and water safety skills. GAAAP targets schools in
decile 1-6 and children in years 3-6.
2016/17 has seen Water Safety New Zealand roll out a new
approach to teaching young New Zealanders water safety:
Water Skills for Life. Water Skills For Life has a greater
emphasis on teaching water safety skills prior to stroke and
distance focused swimming skills, as well as exposure to a
range of aquatic environments. Aktive has been working
with Water Safety New Zealand, Swimming New Zealand
and providers to roll out Water Skills For Life across all
GAAAP Schools.
Aktive is appreciative of the significant funding and
administrative support given to GAAAP by Foundation North,
Sport New Zealand’s KiwiSport, Water Safety New Zealand,
Counties Manukau Sport, Harbour Sport, Sport Auckland
and Sport Waitakere.
2016/17 highlights include:
• 137,056 individual lessons delivered
• 21,393 students received GAAAP swimming lessons
• 348 teachers received training and poolside support
to deliver water safety education
• 220 teachers upskilled in Water Skills For Life
• $580,000 renewed investment from Foundation North
and Water Safety New Zealand.
“Many of our students would not
be able to get this valuable learning
opportunity if it was not for the funding
and lessons at our school. Almost all
our students have gained confidence
in water and have learnt to keep afloat.
The organisation of the lessons and the
friendly instructors kept our students
motivated and they are all keen and
looking forward to future lessons. During
our end of year trip to Parakai Pools we
are seeing more students confidently
going into the water.”
Kamrul Jalil, Massey Primary School
“Our aspiration at Water Safety New
Zealand is that every New Zealand child
has the opportunity to develop water
safety knowledge and survival skills.
Aktive plays a huge part in enabling
this and is a valued Auckland partner in
managing a coordinated approach to
deliver the Greater Auckland Aquatic
Action Plan (GAAAP). This gives us a
wide reaching platform to deliver our
Water Skills or Life initiative to 5-13 year
old kids within the Auckland region.
It’s a great partnership and we look
forward to continuing our close
relationship this year for the benefit of
Kiwi kids and the wider community.”
Jonty Mills, Chief Executive, Water Safety New Zealand