NSSRP Impacts Victoria Youth and Families

Selma Paul had informal jobs before, like babysitting and looking after people’s pets.  

But in 2024, the Vancouver Island youth experienced her first formal job opportunity as a swim coach – a role that equipped her with a solid foundation of valuable skills that will help her succeed as she embarks on her career. 

“I think this job has helped me so much with my communication skills, and ability to adapt to different situations, which would be valuable in any career,” she says. 

Paul worked as a swimming coach at Island Swimming Club, based in Victoria, and was one of 19 youth the organization hired – which made possible thanks to funding from the CPRA’s National Swimming Recovery Program (NSSRP), funded in part by the Government of Canada.  

As a swimming coach, Paul was responsible for preparing lessons, and each day, would hold three to four 40-minute classes for her students. Afterwards, she would sometimes update parents on their child’s progress. 

“Throughout those lessons, I was working with a variety of different skill levels, age groups, and just really adapting to everyone’s unique needs as a swimmer,” she says. 

This experience, she adds, will help her significantly in the working world. For instance, Paul often had to explain techniques to children who might not all learn the same way – which greatly strengthened her communication skills. 

She also gained valuable leadership skills. 

“Part of my job was guiding groups, and creating a positive tone,” she explains. “I wanted to create an environment where the kids always want to come to. I also really developed a sense of responsibility and confidence in creating a safe environment – and an encouraging one.” 

Paul hopes to have a career in law, and says the skills she learned will help her pursue that goal.  

“The skills I learned will be really essential for presenting arguments, connecting with people, and handling dynamic situations,” she says. “This job has helped me so much.” 

Dan Igaz, manager of development programs at Island Swimming Club, adds that the funding was incredibly beneficial to the organization, and the entire community. 

He says the district has experienced a massive shortage of swimming lessons over the last few years, and it’s been very difficult for families to find lessons for their children.  

“Obviously, this is a massive safety concern – having a bunch of kids who live on an island, and don’t know how to swim,” Igaz says.  

Because of the funding, he says that the Island Swimming Club was able to offer swimming lessons six days a week – an increase from the previous four days a week. 

The increased number of coaches also meant that the organization could teach more swimmers per day. 

“At the end of the day, that’s hundreds of kids who are now getting the opportunity to swim in a safe environment with awesome, super talented, and well-trained coaches – who otherwise might not have been able to get swimming lessons at all,” Igaz says. 

He adds that the ability to train local youth to become swim coaches, and offer so many more lesson options for families, has made a significant impact on people’s lives.  

“When you’re teaching kids to swim, who otherwise might not have had that opportunity, that’s going to save lives,” Igaz says. “It’s going to improve physical fitness and health. It’s going to improve active participation in sports and recreation. It’s going to improve mental health and confidence. It’s going to help build friendships and connect people. That’s what this program did – it helped make that all happen."