Olympian and gold medalist swimmer Bronte Campbell has today been unveiled as the ambassador for Deaf Children Australia’s (DCA) innovative swim program, Puggles Swim. Puggles Swim is Australia’s first nationally endorsed learn to swim program supporting the communication needs of deaf and hard of hearing (DHH) children (age 3 to 10yrs).
The 29-year-old, who is currently preparing for the 2024 Olympics, is also a champion of inclusivity and accessibility, making for a perfect partnership.
“Swimming was such a good tool to build my confidence as a young child. I always felt happiest when I was in the water with my swim squad,” Bronte said. “Puggles Swim is unique because it makes swimming accessible to deaf and hard of hearing children and gives them the same opportunities I had to enjoy the water. They get to experience the many benefits it brings, such as making friends, building their swimming skills and confidence.”
The Puggles Swim program and accompanying swimming accessories have been proven to not only help deaf and hard of hearing children in the pool but have greatly assisted non-verbal children and children with a learning disability. Bronte’s younger brother Hamish, who has cerebral palsy and limited communication abilities, inspired her decision to jump on board as a Puggles Swim ambassador.
“Through experiences with my brother, I have seen how important it is to make activities like swimming accessible for all children, it is an essential life skill.”
“Diversity and inclusion are things I care deeply about, and Puggles Swim is championing these values in swimming pools across Australia, thanks to the accredited swimming teachers taking the time to learn new skills delivered by the Puggles Swim online course.”
Bronte’s connection to swimming, and her enthusiasm for the program, established a strong foundation for the partnership.
“We are ecstatic to have Bronte as an ambassador for Puggles Swim,” said Deaf Children Australia CEO David Wilson. “Not only is she an incredible athlete, but her passion for inclusivity and ensuring deaf and hard of hearing children can learn to swim too, aligns with the core values of DCA and what it wants to achieve with Puggles Swim.”
Bronte Campbell joins Deaf swimming champion, Nicholas Layton, as ambassador for Puggles Swim. Deaf Children Australia developed the Puggles Swim program, in partnership with AUSTSWIM and Swim Coaches and Teachers Australia (SCTA,) after a survey revealed about 60% of parents of DHH children were worried about their child not being able to swim.
The survey also demonstrated 50% have left a swimming school because it did not support their child’s communication needs and 45% said there was no swim class near them to support their child’s communication needs. Since its launch in September 2022, 1400 swim teachers have signed up to the program and more than 800 of these are putting their skills into great effect in pools across Australia