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1) Swimming Australia launches Deadly Little Dolphins

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1) Swimming Australia launches Deadly Little Dolphins

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This article introduces Deadly Little Dolphins, a learn-to-swim pathway within Swimming Australia's Deadly Dolphins initiative. The program focuses on reducing drowning rates among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children while also creating long-term opportunities for athletes to progress through the national system. By linking community safety to elite performance pathways, it highlights how culturally tailored programs can achieve both social and sporting outcomes. This source is key for showing how Swimming Australia positions First Nations inclusion as central to its mission and future Olympic aspirations (Australia, 2023).

Australia, S. (2023, April 06). Deadly Little Dolphins to improve swim safety and pave the way for First Nations BNE32 success. Swim Aus. https://www.swimming.org.au/articles/deadly-little-dolphins-to-improve-swim-safety-and-pave-the-way-for-first-nations-bne32-success

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Swimming Australia - Deadly Little Dolphins To Improve Swim Safety And Pave The Way For First Nations BNE32 Success

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Deadly Little Dolphins is Swimming Australia’s national call to action to ensure that Aboriginal…

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2) First Nations people in Australian sport - historical overview 

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2) First Nations people in Australian sport - historical overview 

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This National Library resource outlines the long history of First Nations people in Australian sport, highlighting both moments of exclusion and achievements that challenged stereotypes. It explains how sport has been used as a platform for visibility, resistance, and cultural pride. Although not swimming-specific, this history provides context for why initiatives like Deadly Little Dolphins are vital. They represent an opportunity to redress past exclusion by building culturally safe and visible pathways that recognise First Nations contributions while creating new opportunities for future generations (National Library of Australia, 2025).

National Library of Australia. (2025, April 30). First Nations people in sport. National Library of Australia. https://www.library.gov.au/learn/digital-classroom/sport-and-australian-culture/first-nations-people-sport

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First Nations people in sport | National Library of Australia (NLA)

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TopicThe first Australian cricket team to tour overseas was an Aboriginal one.

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3) Drowning deaths among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples 

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3) Drowning deaths among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples 

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Royal Life Saving's national report identifies how First Nations people are over-represented in drowning statistics, particularly in rivers and remote areas. It highlights systemic factors such as limited access to swimming facilities, water safety programs, and resources in communities. These findings provide a clear rationale for targeted programs like Deadly Little Dolphins, which directly addresses gaps in access and safety skills. By situating the program with broader public health concerns, this source shows how Swimming Australia's initiative responds to an urgent national need (Royal Life Saving Australia, 2020).

Royal Life Saving Australia. (2020, October). Drowning deaths among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Royal Life Saving. https://www.royallifesaving.com.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0007/38842/RLS_AboriginalReport2020_FINAL_LR.pdf

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4) Australian Water Safety Council - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander priority 

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4) Australian Water Safety Council - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander priority 

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The Australian Water Safety Council identifies Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as a priority population due to cultural connections with water and higher drowning risk. It emphasises the importance of culturally tailored programs to reduce injuries and fatalities. This source demonstrates how Deadly Little Dolphins aligns with national water safety strategies and policy directions. By connecting the program to whole-of-sector goals, it highlights Swimming Australia's role in creating safer, more inclusive pathways for First Nations swimmers and ensuring long-term community benefit (Australian Water Safety Council, 2025).

Australian Water Safety Council. (2025). Focus: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. WaterSafety. https://www.watersafety.com.au/priority-areas/13-populations-aboriginal-torres-strait-islander-peoples/

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13. Populations: Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander peoples - Australian Water Safety Council

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Many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities have a close cultural connection with country (land and water), which includes waterways. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples also experience higher rates of drowning and injury-related mortality and morbidity.

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5) Barriers and facilitators for children's participation in sport 

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5) Barriers and facilitators for children's participation in sport 

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This systematic review identifies barriers such as cost, transport, racism, and lack of culturally safe environments, alongside facilitators like family support and role models. These findings are highly relevant to swimming, where access to facilities and lessons can be difficult for First Nations families. By highlighting the importance of community involvement and culturally safe spaces, the study reinforces why programs like Deadly Little Dolphins must go beyond teaching swimming. They need to address structural barriers, ensuring participation is accessible, affordable, and welcoming for First Nations children (May, 2020).

May, T. (2020). Barriers and facilitators of sport and physical activity for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and adolescents: a mixed studies systematic review. BMC Public Health, 20(601).

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Barriers and facilitators of sport and physical activity for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and adolescents: a mixed studies systematic review - BMC Public Health

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Background Participation in sport and physical activity could minimise the inflated risk of poor physical health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and adolescents. This review aimed to synthesise existing quantitative and qualitative literature regarding barriers and facilitators to physical activity and sports participation in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children. Methods Literature was systematically searched to include studies reporting barriers or facilitators to physical activity and/or sports participation in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children aged 0–18 years. Using a pre-established taxonomy based on the social-ecological model, a deductive analysis was performed. Quality appraisal was performed using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. Results Of 3440 unique articles, nine studies were included with n = 10,061 total participants. Of the nine included studies one reported on participants from urban areas, two from regional and three from remote areas. Three were from representative samples of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population. Barriers were reported in all nine studies: 18 individual, 9 interpersonal, 27 community and 4 at the policy level (58 total); Facilitators were reported in five studies: 12 individual, 11 interpersonal, 11 community and 3 policy level (37 total). Conclusions Research in this area is lacking with some states in Australia not represented and small samples. Strategies for improving participation in sport and physical activity by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and adolescents need to integrate a comprehensive identification of barriers and facilitators with a social-ecological understanding of how community and cultural factors can impact individual participation.

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6) Barriers and facilitators for adult participation in sport 

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6) Barriers and facilitators for adult participation in sport 

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This mixed-methods review examines adult participation and shows that cultural safety, welcoming environments, and community leadership are essential for sustained involvement. Adults often influence whether children engage in programs, meaning their inclusion is crucial for generational impact. In the context of swimming, this underscores the need to support entire families, not just young swimmers. Deadly Little Dolphins benefits from this insight by recognising that building trust, creating culturally safe coaching, and supporting parental engagement are vital to developing long-term pathways in First Nations communities (Allen, 2021, 18).

Allen, B. (2021). Facilitators and barriers to physical activity and sport participation experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults: a mixed method reiview. International journal of environmental research and public health, 18, 18. https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/18/18/9893

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7) Closing the water gap - inequities in water access 

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7) Closing the water gap - inequities in water access 

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This report from ATSE highlights the lack of safe and reliable water, sanitation, and hygiene services in many First Nations communities. These inequities directly affect how people engage with aquatic spaces and their ability to access swimming facilities. For swimming programs, it highlights the importance of linking with broader community infrastructure and health priorities. Deadly Little Dolphins reflects this understanding by focusing on early water safety education and working in partnership with communities, addressing both cultural and practical challenges to swimming participation in remote regions (AATSE, 2024).

AATSE. (2024, September 13). Closing the water gap — Water, sanitation and hygiene for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities. Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering (ATSE). https://www.atse.org.au/what-we-do/strategic-advice/closing-the-water-gap-water-sanitation-and-hygiene-for-aboriginal-and-torres-strait-islander-communities/

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Closing the water gap — Water, sanitation and hygiene for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities

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Clean water is critical to Closing the Gap in health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

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8) Engaging First Nations participants - ASC guidance

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8) Engaging First Nations participants - ASC guidance

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The Australian Sports Commission outlines the important of inclusion strategies tailored to First Nations communities, focusing on cultural safety, representation, and community partnerships. These guidelines emphasise that programs must be developed with, not just for, First Nationals people to be effective. For Swimming Australia, this means ensuring Deadly Little Dolphins is supported by culturally trained coaches, community voices in planning, and respect for cultural protocols. This source demonstrates that success requires embedding cultural understanding into program design and delivery, strengthening its relevance and sustainability (AIS, 2025).

AIS. (2025). First Nations Australians. Australian Sports Commission. https://www.ausport.gov.au/integrity_in_sport/inclusive-sport/understanding-our-diverse-audiences/aboriginal-and-torres-strait-islander-peoples

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Australia is made up of hundreds of diverse First Nations Australians, each with their own culture, language, beliefs and practices.

Sport is the ultimate cultural community connector and can contribute to reducing the physical and mental health challenges that these communities currently face.

That is why it is important for clubs to implement strategies for the inclusion of First Nations Australians.

Programs and interventions that are forced or imposed without significant consultation, are unlikely to benefit First Nations Australians or the broader community.

Community-led initiatives and healthy, active role models are important first steps, to increase First Nation Australians' participation in sport.

Develop strategies and policies in partnership with First Nations peoples, rather than for them.

Reach out to your local Aboriginal Land Council and develop a formal or informal relationship with the traditional owners relevant to your club.

Open club meetings with an Acknowledgement of Country.

Open significant club events with an Acknowledgement of Country and where possible a formal Welcome to Country performed by a Traditional Owner.

Display visible items such as flags, artwork, Acknowledgement of Country signage prominently around the club.

Consider the unique experiences and socio-cultural factors surrounding our First Nations peoples and be respectful and understanding of them. This includes acknowledging the experienced racism, battles for recognition for identity and social acceptance, and cultural and community connections.

Make sure that your social events, newsletters, or social media posts are culturally appropriate and welcoming of First Nations peoples. Representation in social media posts matter.

Acknowledge and celebrate key First Nations events such as Reconciliation Week and NAIDOC week.

Ensure you have tried and tested policies and processes to prevent and respond to racism and discrimination. Promote these through coaches, committee members and volunteer, to the whole club at the start of the season, mid-season and again when new people join the club.

Ensure policies outline consequences for discrimination, ensuring that casual racist slurs or insults (for example in-jokes) are included as forms of discrimination and will have the same consequences.

Have a formal complaints process in place.

Ensure you have a committee member or a club-nominated officer with professional or lived experience in place for confidential discussions.

Regardless of whether racism or discrimination has occurred in your club ensure you regularly facilitate conversations that allow for reflection and learning about dealing with incidents if and when they occur.

Consciously work towards having First Nations people in leadership and mentoring roles at your club as coaches or committee members.

Consider creative ways to assist any family at your club that has transport or financial challenges that are preventing participation.

Resources

Best practice examples

NATIONAL ABORIGINAL SPORTING CHANCE ACADEMY (NASCA)

National Aboriginal Sporting Chance Academy (NASCA) works with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people to create a strength-based, culturally strong environment.

To remain successful, NASCA's mentoring programs involve local community and parents and are long term, respectful, mutually beneficial relationships.

RUMBALARA FOOTBALL NETBALL CLUB

Rumbalara Football Netball Club is an Aboriginal community run sporting club dedicated to strengthening the Shepparton community by bringing families together through strong vibrant leadership.

The club is a place of belonging that people of all ages and backgrounds can call their own.

JOHN MORIARTY FOOTBALL

John Moriarty Football, named after its co-founder Yanyuwa man John Moriarty AM, the first Aboriginal footballer to be selected to play for Australia, delivers a transformational Indigenous football program for 2-18 year olds. The program uses football (soccer) for talent and positive change and has a track record of improving school attendance and achieving resilient, healthier outcomes for some of Australia's most remote Indigenous communities.

THE INDIGENOUS MARATHON FOUNDATION

The Indigenous Marathon Foundation (established in 2009 by world marathon champion Rob de Castella), is a health promotion charity that uses running to celebrate resilience and achievement, creating inspirational Indigenous leaders.

VICTORIAN INDIGENOUS SURFING PROGRAM

The Victorian Indigenous Surfing Program is one of the longest running Indigenous engagement programs in the country. Launching in 1999, the program uses surfing as a way to connect Indigenous Victorians with the ocean whilst learning new skills, water safety and healthy habits.

Strong Aboriginal community leadership and engagement in culturally safe and engaging environments that are inclusive, respectful and flexible, are the core values of the program.

AFL NORTHERN TERRITORY: REMOTE PROJECTS

By harnessing the passion for AFL, remote-based football initiatives, delivered by AFL Northern Territory: Remote projects, save extensive and dangerous travel time to access structured and supported sporting environments. Remote based football programs allow people to play their sport of preference on country of significance, without the potential distractions of urban locations.

Football activities involve targeted messaging and specific programs based on advice from community elders, funding bodies and service providers. The remote projects are delivered in a culturally sensitive manner with consideration for local customs, traditions and cultural practices.

SHARE A YARN

The Share a Yarn initiative provides Australian Elite Athletes with meaningful opportunities to connect and build relationships with First Nations communities, and learn more about the differing cultures, lands, histories, and people within them.
First Nations Australians Cultural, racial and linguistically diverse communities LGBTIQ+ communities People with disability Intersectionality Women and girls

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First Nations Australians | Australian Sports Commission

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Australian Sports Commission is determined to have more Australians participating and excelling in sport, from grass-roots right up to the pinnacle of elite competition.

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9) Indigenous Basketball Australia (IBA)

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9) Indigenous Basketball Australia (IBA)

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Indigenous Basketball Australia (IBA), founded by NBA champion Patty Mills, is a leading example of how culturally grounded programs can build pathways for Indigenous youth. By centring culture and community alongside skill development, IBA creates space that foster belonging, pride, and opportunity. The program's grassroots-to-elite model demonstrates how sport can balance cultural identity with performance, offering a roadmap for Swimming Australia's Deadly Little Dolphins programs to embed Indigenous voices and create stronger pathways for young swimmers (IBA, 2025).

IBA. (2025). Indigenous Basketball Australia. Indigenous Basketball Australia | Home. https://indigenousbasketballaustralia.com/

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IBA has been established to overcome the many challenges and barriers Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people face in the current Australian basketball systems and structures, and create pathways and opportunities at the grassroots level so they have a better chance to advance and succeed at higher levels.

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IBA has been established to overcome the many challenges and barriers Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people face in the current Australian basketball systems and structures, and create pathways and opportunities at the grassroots level so they have a better chance to advance and succeed at higher levels.

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10) Canadian Indigenous-led Sport Programs

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10) Canadian Indigenous-led Sport Programs

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The Canadian Government recently invested $24.2 million into Indigenous-led sport programs designed by and for communities. These initiatives emphasise cultural relevance, accessibility, and self-determination, supporting First Nations, Inuit, and Metis athletes at every level. The focus on empowering Indigenous leadership ensures programs are suitable and culturally safe. For Swimming Australia, this offers a model: shifting from consultation to Indigenous- decision-making could strengthen Deadly Little Dolphins, ensuring it is more than a pathway to medals but also a vehicle for empowerment and pride (Heritage, 2025).

Heritage, C. (2025, February 7). Government of Canada investing $24.2 million in Indigenous sport programs to empower First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities. Canada.ca. https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/news/2025/02/government-of-canada-investing-242-million-in-indigenous-sport-programs-to-empower-first-nations-inuit-and-metis-communities.html

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Government of Canada investing $24.2 million in Indigenous sport programs to empower First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities - Canada.ca

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The Government of Canada announces $24.2 million in funding for sport for social development projects in Indigenous communities across the country

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11) Māori Sports Leadership in New Zealand

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11) Māori Sports Leadership in New Zealand

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Sport New Zealand has embraced Māori leadership through it Rautaki Māori strategy, which ensures bicultural governance and Treaty of Waitangi commitments are central to sport development. This approach highlights how Indigenous frameworks can shape national sporting policy, rather than being tokenistic add-ons. The program illustrates how embedding cultural principles at the structural level transforms sport systems. For Swimming Australia, adopting a similar governance approach could help ensure Deadly Little Dolphins is Indigenous-led and sustained beyond 2032, creating long-term systemic change (Sport New Zealand, 2018).

Sport New Zealand. (2018, October). Our Journey | Sport New Zealand. Sport NZ. https://sportnz.org.nz/resources/our-journey/

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Our journey | Sport New Zealand - Ihi Aotearoa

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Sport NZ recruited a Toihautū Principal Advisor Māori in November 2017 with a focus on increasing the cultural capability of Sport NZ

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12) Lessons from Elite Indigenous Athletes

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12) Lessons from Elite Indigenous Athletes

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Francis Roberts, one of Australia's earliest Indigenous Olympic athletes, emerged from profound adversity to represent the nation on the global stage. He faced systemic denial - at one point, not even acknowledged in the census - and yest persevered to compete under the Australian flag. His story highlights how representation isn't just about visibility - but resistance, resilience, and reclaiming identity. For Swimming Australia's Deadly Little Dolphins, this underscores the importance of building culturally safe pathways that affirm First Nations swimmers' identities and offer genuine, inclusive opportunity - not just a spotlight moment (Smith, 2025).

Smith, M. (2025, February 28). Indigenous boxer and Olympian fought for his country, but battled for respect and recognition. ABC News. Retrieved September 11, 2025, from https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-03-01/indigenous-olympic-boxer-celebrated-at-adelaide-festival/104983236

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He was a trailblazer in the ring, now his battle is being celebrated on stage

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A new stage show at this year’s Adelaide Festival shines a light on the struggles that one of Australia’s first Indigenous Olympians faced both in and out of the boxing ring, and on his battle for securing recognition and respect inside his own country. Warning: This story contains the image and name of an Indigenous person who has died.

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13) Surf Life Saving Queensland - Reflect RAP (2025-26)

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13) Surf Life Saving Queensland - Reflect RAP (2025-26)

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Surf Life Saving Queensland's Reflect RAP outlines early commitments to relationships, respect, and opportunities, with practical actions such as cultural capability training, community partnerships, and growing Indigenous participation. This shows how aquatic organisations can align internal culture with external engagement to achieve meaningful progress. For Swimming Australia, the lesson is clear: Deadly Little Dolphins will be most effective if state-level programs align with national goals, ensuring Indigenous communities experience seamless, culturally safe pathways across both pool and beach environments (Surf Life Saving Queensland, 2025).

Surf Life Saving Queensland. (2025, May). Reflect Reconciliation Plan. Surf Life Saving Queensland. https://lifesaving.com.au/app/uploads/SLSQ-Reflect-Reconciliation-Action-Plan-2025-2026.pdf

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14) Surf Life Saving Australia - RAP Working Group

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14) Surf Life Saving Australia - RAP Working Group

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Surf Live Saving Australia has created its first RAP Working Group, signalling a shift toward embedding First Nations perspectives at the governance level. By moving away from ad hoc initiatives and instead establishing structured leadership roles, the organisation ensures Indigenous voices guide strategic decisions. This model illustrates the importance of co-chairing and shared authority in aquatic sports. For Swimming Australia, adopting a similar governance approach for Deadly Little Dolphins would strengthen its credibility and transform it from a participation program into a system-level commitment (Surf Life Saving Queensland, 2024).

SLSA Reconciliation Action Plan Working Group Expressions of Interest. Surf Life Saving. https://sls.com.au/slsa-reconciliation-action-plan-working-group-expressions-of-interest/

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15) Sport NZ - Te Pake o Ihi Aotearoa (Maori Outcomes Framework) 

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15) Sport NZ - Te Pake o Ihi Aotearoa (Maori Outcomes Framework) 

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Sport New Zealand's Te Pake framework integrates Maori principles and outcomes, emphasising partnership (Mana Orite) and measuring success through cultural vitality, community wellbeing, and qhanau benefits alongside performance. This international example shows how Indigenous worldviews can be embedded into system-wide planning and evaluation. For Swimming Australia, adopting a similar approach would mean evaluating Deadly Little Dolphins beyond medal tallies - capturing cultural pride, social cohesion, and wellbeing. This could ensure the program delivers lasting benefits for communities while reshaping how Australian sport defines success (Sport NZ, 2022).

Sport NZ. (2022, April). Te Pake o Ihi Aotearoa. Sport NZ Ihi Aotearoa Maori Outcomes Framework. https://sportnz.org.nz/media/5028/te-pa-ke-o-ihi-aotearoa-april-2022.pdf

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16) High Performance Sport NZ - Applying Te Whare Tapa Wha in Elite Sport Wellbeing 

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16) High Performance Sport NZ - Applying Te Whare Tapa Wha in Elite Sport Wellbeing 

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High Performance Sport New Zealand translates the Māori wellbeing model Te Whare Tapa Wha into elite sport settings through its Athlete Mental Health and Performance framework. This approach recognises four interconnected dimensions - physical (taha tinana), spiritual (taha wairua), mental-emotional (taha hinengaro), and family-social (taha whanau) - emphasising that holistic wellbeing is essential for both performance and resilience. For Swimming Australia, embedding a similar model within Deadly Little Dolphins could support Indigenous swimmers' identity, belonging, and holistic development, ensuring the program nurtures well-rounded athletes beyond the pool (HPSNZ, 2024).

HPSNZ. (2024). ATHLETE MENTAL HEALTH AND PERFORMANCE. HPSNZ. https://hpsnz.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/HPSNZ-Athlete-Mental-health-and-Performance-A-Systems-Approach-2024-to-2028.pdf

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17) Australian Water Safety Strategy 2030 

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17) Australian Water Safety Strategy 2030 

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The Australian Water Strategy 2030 sets the sector-wide target of halving drowning by 2030 and identifies priority populations, including First Nations peoples. It highlights the need for universal swimming and water-safety skills, stronger cross-sector collaboration, and program designed for equity. Deadly Little Dolphins contributes directly to these nationally agreed outcomes by addressing skill gaps and cultural safety, while building pathways in partnership with RLSSA, Surf Life Saving Australia, and schools. This positions the program as a critical lever in delivering the strategy's vision (AWSC, 2021).

AWSC. (2021). AUSTRALIAN WATER SAFETY STRATEGY 2030. Royal Life Saving Australia. https://www.watersafety.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/AWS_Strategy2030_Web_7_24.pdf

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The consultation draft of the AWS 2030-2025 Update outlines live policy discussions from the July 2025 National Water Safety Summit. It signals shifts in emphasis, such as a stronger focus on partnership models, equity, and regional delivery. By citing this update, your analysis demonstrates alignment with the most current policy debates and anticipates future expectations. For Swimming Australia, staying responsive to these evolving priorities ensures Deadly Little Dolphins remains relevant and impactful in the lead-up to Brisbane 2032 (Australian Water Safety Council, 2025).

Australian Water Safety Council. (2025, July 24). CONSULTATION DRAFT. Royal Life Saving Australia. https://www.royallifesaving.com.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0003/116328/AWSS-2025-Update-Consultation-Draft.pdf

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19) Remote Aboriginal Swimming Pools - evidence of broader benefits

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19) Remote Aboriginal Swimming Pools - evidence of broader benefits

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Royal Life Saving WA's Remote Aboriginal Swimming Pools (RASP) program demonstrates that swimming pools can deliver wide-ranging social and health benefits when co-designed with communities. Evidence shows improved water safety, school attendance, health outcomes, and social cohesion. Research such as the Photovoice report underscores how pools serve as community hubs when locally managed. For Deadly Little Dolphins, these lessons highlight the importance of integrating swimming programs with health and education services, ensuring they strengthen both cultural identity and community infrastructure (Royal Life Saving Western Australia, 2025), (Royal Life Saving WA, 2016).

Royal Life Saving Western Australia. (2025). Remote Pools. Royal Life Saving - Western Australia. https://www.royallifesavingwa.com.au/staying-safe/campaigns-and-programs/remote-pools

Royal Life Saving WA. (2016). The Photovoice Project. Remote Aboriginal Swimming Pool Research. https://nacchocommunique.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/royal0372_photovoice_project_report_digital.pdf

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The Remote Pools Project is a practical, proven initiative that delivers far-reaching benefits in some of Western Australia’s most remote communities. More than just a place to swim, these pools are essential infrastructure—helping to improve health, support education, and create safer, more connected communities

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20) Social impact of community pools in the Pilbara

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20) Social impact of community pools in the Pilbara

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The 2024 Social Impact of Community Pools in the Pilbara report provides recent, quantitative evidence that community pools function as vital social infrastructure. Beyond swimming ability, pools promote school attendance, pro-social behaviour, health outcomes, and recreation in extreme climates. These findings reinforce the case for measuring Deadly Little Dolphins' success in broader terms - such as community wellbeing, belonging, and participation. They also provide a strong rationale for advocating long-term funding that recognises the multi-dimensional impact of culturally safe swimming programs (O'Shaughnessy, 2024).

O'Shaughnessy, D. (2024, September). The social impact of community pools in the Pilbara. Royal Life Saving Society WA. https://assets.csi.edu.au/assets/CSI-RLSWA-Social-Impact-Report-2024_vfinal.pdf