Award is nice but Olympic hero's dream is of cash

Billy Graham (left) goes the distance with Sir John Walker at the Naenae Boxing Academy yesterday. Both men are dedicated to helping young people in their communities. Photo / Dave Lintott

Sir John Walker's Find Your Field of Dreams foundation was one of the big winners at last night's Sport and Recreation sector awards. But it's not a pat on the back the Kiwi Olympic hero is after, it's cold hard cash.

On the same day his foundation's hugely successful community swim programme received an award for best project collaboration, Sir John was putting the hard word on Social Development Minister Paula Bennett for financial assistance.

The community swim programme gives free swimming lessons to Year 3 and 4 pupils in more than 70 primary schools throughout South Auckland. As well as teaching important water skills to around 8500 children, it has had wider effects - participating schools have reported less truancy on swim days and improved attitudes to physical education.

It is one of several successful schemes the foundation has introduced since it was established in May 2008 to create a healthier and more caring community.

While his work has the enthusiastic backing of Prime Minister John Key, Ms Bennett and other ministers, Sir John is frustrated this support has not been reflected in a more tangible way. He needs money, and lots of it.

Speaking in Wellington, Sir John said his programmes align closely with Government objectives.

"We have a proven model - we keep them interested in sport and they stay out of trouble. It doesn't take Einstein to figure it out, it's simple."

Now well into its second year, the trust has six programmes running, including AMP'd, an after-school activity programme for teens, and Club Smart, which aims to revitalise club activity across the region.

While there is pressure on the foundation to extend its schemes to other areas of the country, Sir John wants it to stay in Manukau.

"We don't want to grow too big, we want to do what we're doing well, and make sure we get the template right."

"If it can work in Manukau, it can work anywhere."

While in Wellington yesterday, Sir John took the opportunity to meet another Kiwi sports star doing impressive work with underprivileged youth in his community.

The 1976 Olympic gold medallist visited Billy Graham, a former Australasian boxing champion, at his Naenae Boxing Academy, where about 30 teenagers were eager to shake hands with him.

"What Billy is doing is more hands on than what we do, but he's doing basically the same thing - he's taking care of kids and giving them hope," Sir John said. "But it all costs money."

MAKING WAVES
Sir John Walker Find Your Field of Dreams foundation community swim programme:

*Operated by Manukau Leisure, Counties Manukau City Council, Counties Manukau Sport and WaterSafe Auckland.

*Started as a pilot programme involving two schools in mid-2008 offering free swimming lessons to Year 3 and 4 pupils in Manukau.

*Less than two years later the 20 Swimsation instructors have given almost 60,000 free swim lessons to 8500 children from 72 schools.

*The students are ferried between school and pool each day by three Lion Foundation-funded buses.