WA kids splash into summer with free regional pool entry
Eligible children throughout regional Western Australia will have free access to local pools this summer following a successful trial of the KidSport Regional Pool Program earlier this year.
The trial ran from February to May 2024 in the Mid West, Gascoyne, Wheatbelt and Great Southern with a strong uptake leading to the program being expanded to include pools across regional Western Australia.
The program aims to increase physical activity and water awareness of children aged 5 to18 years in regional areas by subsidising the cost of access to community pools.
There are about 130 community pools throughout Western Australia with nearly 80 per cent of these located in regional areas.
While some regional pools already offer free access through local government or Royal Life Saving Society of WA initiatives, the allocation of $1 million from the WA Government’s KidSport program will allow more children to participate during the summer season, with up to 88 regional pools being invited to join the program.
Children will need to meet KidSport eligibility requirements to access funding equivalent to the cost of a seasonal pass for pool entry through the regional pool program. To support ongoing participation in community sport, eligible children can access this program in addition to the existing KidSport Voucher Program.
The pool program is administered by participating eligible local government authorities, with the support of the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries.