Child participation in sport in Lismore and the Northern Rivers is thriving. There have been record numbers in registrations for the start of the 2025 Football Far North Coast season, and a local swimming club has increased its membership.

The Lismore Workers Swim Team has made an impressive comeback, increasing its membership by 62% over the past 12 months, despite the region still recovering from the devastating 2022 floods.

Following the floods, the club lost its Memorial Baths home for nearly two years, but it has not only rebuilt—it is thriving.

In a remarkable show of resilience, earlier this season, the team successfully hosted its first carnival since the floods, attracting participants from all over the region.

While some swim clubs across Australia are facing declining membership numbers, and the nation grapples with a worrying reduction in swimming proficiency (almost 1 in 3 Australian children are unable to swim 50 meters unaided), the Lismore Workers Swim Team has bucked the trend. The club has demonstrated the power of community spirit, passion, and dedication to the sport.

The recent surge in membership and performance at Lismore has been helped by the arrival of Coach Kerrie Seymour, who joined the Lismore Workers Swim Team at the end of the year from Darwin Swimming Club.

Coach Kerrie’s energy, experience, and commitment to improving performance have contributed to an impressive rise in personal bests recorded during weekly club night race sessions:

"It’s been an incredible four months," said Coach Kerrie "From the moment I arrived, I could feel the passion and potential in this club. Watching swimmers grow in skill and confidence—and seeing so many new faces join the team—has been hugely rewarding. The community here is something really special."

A key feature of the Lismore Workers’ program is its year-round training schedule. On the 28th April, we make our annual move from our home pool, the Lismore Memorial Baths, to Southern Cross University’s heated indoor pool. This provides swimmers with consistent and comfortable training through winter. 

With new swimmers joining every week, the club welcomes all ages and levels, from those completing learn-to-swim programs to performance swimmers training at a competitive level.

To book a swim assessment for your child, you can email lwstsecretary@gmail.com or message the club through Facebook or Instagram.