Supporting Inclusion Through Active Moves
Cronulla RSL is proud to support Rainbow Club's Active Moves program through the Category 2 ClubGRANTS program, helping create opportunities for young adults with disability to stay active, build confidence and connect with their community.
Since launching at Caringbah in 2021, the Active Moves program has steadily grown, with more than 40 local young adults participating and many original members continuing to attend and enjoy the social and fitness benefits the program provides. The sessions are delivered from Swimmerz Academy in Caringbah, providing a dedicated and accessible local venue where participants can develop water confidence, improve their swimming skills, build friendships and enjoy regular physical activity in a supportive environment.
Through ClubGRANTS funding, Cronulla RSL has helped Rainbow Club not only deliver the Caringbah program but also establish the location as a training hub for instructors. By increasing the number of teachers trained to support participants in Active Moves, Rainbow Club has been able to expand its reach and provide opportunities for more people living with disability across additional locations.
The impact of the program is best reflected in the experiences of participants and their families.
“My 19-year-old son has been a Patron/Participant with Rainbow Club's Active Moves Program for over 5 years, and he absolutely loves it. Active Moves, provides Mohamed with endless opportunities to learn about water safety, increase confidence, meet similar-aged peers, whilst simultaneously having fun and keeping fit. Active Moves’ clinicians and respective employees are experienced and qualified professionals, who provide a safe and welcoming environment, where everyone is encouraged to 'have a go'. Mohamed has sensory needs, and this is one of the ways, which help him to receive that input he requires.I highly recommend, Rainbow Club's programs to all individuals and would love to see the program, grow now and for generations to come, so everyone, regardless of their disability, can experience the water.”
At Cronulla RSL, we are committed to supporting programs that improve wellbeing, foster inclusion and strengthen our community. We are proud to see the positive outcomes being achieved through Active Moves and look forward to continuing our support of initiatives that help people of all abilities participate, connect and thrive.
Ben Ghazal – Active Moves Caringbah member
Ben Ghazal – Active Moves Caringbah member
(2018 – Bexley member, Swim the Rainbow)
"Ben has always loved the water. It seems to relax him. He would slosh around in the pool at home from a young age, but it wasn’t till he attended Active Moves as a 19-year-old that he actually learned to swim. His Sunday swimming lesson is a highlight of his week. He has developed skills to swim laps and has vastly improved with his kicking and strokes. This had significant health benefits for Ben, as well as providing a great opportunity for social interaction and community access. One of the lovely spin offs for Ben came from an Actives Moves Social in conjunction with Super Groms where he had the opportunity to learn some surfing skills. At first it was difficult to get him to lie down on the board, but the patient and skilled instructors persevered and finally he was in the water on the surfboard. He caught his first wave and loved it. He was so happy. We could see this activity had great potential. In 2023, Active Moves ran another surfing social activity where one of Ben’s Day program staff accompanied him. Ben caught about 25 waves and didn’t want to stop, This staff member was so thrilled to see Ben enjoying surfing that they have worked with the Day Program coordinator to make this a weekly activity on his schedule. Ben absolutely loves it and wants to go surfing whether it is rain, hail, or shine. I can’t thank the wonderful Active Moves staff enough for helping Ben to find his passion and enriching his life so significantly." Roslyn Ghazal, Ben’s mother
