Why Join a Swimming Club?

Getting Started

A message from Swimming Australia

Getting started in swimming is easier than you think. It is a sport for all age groups, skill and fitness levels, and provides many opportunities for those who are in the sport for fun, fitness, recreation and for those who are serious about becoming the best they can be through competition and well structured development pathways.

Swimming is an excellent way to keep children of all ages active. Physical activity provides your child with many lasting health benefits, including:

• Strong bones and muscles
• Healthy heart, lungs and arteries
• Improved coordination, balance, posture and flexibility
• A reduced risk of becoming overweight or obese 
• A reduced risk of later developing heart disease, cancer and diabetes (type 2 diabetes is increasingly being found in adolescents).

The sport of swimming also provides participants with valuable life skills such as goal setting, discipline, friendship and belonging, teamwork, and the most obvious benefit, the ability to potentially save one’s own life, or others if difficulties are encountered in an aquatic environment.

Anyone can join a swimming club no matter what fitness or ability level they are currently at. Swimming clubs provide the opportunity for individuals to swim recreationally (for fun and fitness), and/or for those who want to swim competitively to achieve their personal best!

Why join a Swimming NSW Club?

By being a member of a local swimming club in NSW, you are now part of a team that provides NSW with an enjoyable, safe and healthy environment to develop swimming skills and promote an active lifestyle.

Swimming clubs generate a lot of community support throughout Australia and encourage Australians to get active and participate in local sport. Australia is known world-wide for our outstanding swimming performances in Olympic and Commonwealth Games and World Swimming championship arenas.

So as part of the Swimming NSW team you have the opportunity to provide your kids the environment to encourage and develop the skills of Australians’ swimming stars of the future just have a look below;

Swimmers:

• Receive a New Member Kit on arrival to your club – a welcome pack for new members including parent information booklets, personal best time record booklet, nutritional information, a welcome letter signed by an elite athlete, a swim cap and mesh bag
• Have the opportunity to form long lasting friendships with other swimmers, parents, officials, coaches etc as part of a team, especially at club nights or at other club carnivals, while participating in a sport they enjoy
• Experience all levels of competition - swimmers have the opportunity to attend regular club nights, weekend club carnivals, Area Championships, State Championships (including Multi-Class competitions) and National Championships
• Receive support, assistance and other development opportunities for Multi-Class swimmers from Swimming NSW, Swimming Australia and Disability Sporting Associations
• Receive talent development through Area and State Development Squads
• Receive access to the National Search Results Database for all you child's swimming results and identification within the swimming community
• Have the opportunity to be selected in the Junior Excellence Program – recognising athletes from 9 – 13 years who have achieved certain standards and are rewarded with a JX swim cap or JX shirt, certificate of achievement signed by the National Youth Coach and the Captain of the Australian Swim Team as well as having their name published on the Swimming NSW and Swimming Australia website
• Have the opportunity to be selected in the Youth Performance Squad – recognising athletes from 13-16 years who have achieved certain standards and is an extension of the JX Program. Athletes are rewarded with a customised YPS towel based on level achieved, YPS cap, YPS poster as well as having their name published on the Swimming NSW and Swimming Australia website
• Exclusive Swimming NSW Speedo Shop Discount upon presenting a valid membership card at the Speedo Swim Shop in Sydney Olympic Park
• Have the opportunity to develop essential life skills to survive amongst Australia’s water friendly culture
• Are assured Comprehensive Insurance Cover provided under the Swimming Australia National Insurance Scheme through JLT Sport
• Are assured Qualified and Trained Officials officiate at all meets run under the Swimming NSW Competition Structure
• Protected by the Member and Child Welfare Policy and Behavioural Guidelines for acceptable behaviour relating to swimmers, coaches, parents, officials and general spectators
• Have access to up to date publications such as monthly NSW Swimmer Magazine, Summer/Winter Almanac and fortnightly StreamlineNSW Newsletter
• Opportunity to purchase Membership Upgrades with additional benefits such as Speedo Swim Shop Vouchers, Swimming NSW Merchandise Vouchers, Free Meet Programs, latest Swimming NSW Event Calendar, Exclusive Invitations to signing sessions and team breakfast

Non-Swimmers:

• Identification in the swimming community as being part of the Swimming NSW team while supporting your child in a sport that they enjoy
• Opportunity to become accredited as a Swimming NSW and Swimming Australia Accredited Technical Official under the National Officiating Scheme. Ongoing training, education and re-accreditation opportunities are also available
• Access to the Australian Swimming Coaches and Teachers Association (ASCTA) with information and resources on becoming involed in coaching
• Opportunity to attend regular coaching courses provided by Swimming NSW and Swim Australia
• Opportunity to form long lasting friendships with other swimmers, parents, officials, coaches etc as part of a team, especially at club nights or at other club carnivals, while participating in a sport they enjoy
• Exclusive Swimming NSW Speedo Shop Discount upon presenting a valid membership card at the Speedo Swim Shop in Sydney Olympic Park
• Are assured Comprehensive Insurance Cover provided under the Swimming Australia National Insurance Scheme through JLT Sport
• Protected by the Member and Child Welfare Policy and Behavioural Guidelines for acceptable behaviour relating to swimmers, coaches, parents, officials and general spectatorsHave access to up to date publications such as monthly NSW Swimmer Magazine, Summer/Winter Almanac and fortnightly StreamlineNSW Newsletter
• Opportunity to purchase Membership Upgrades with additional benefits such as Speedo Swim Shop Vouchers, Swimming NSW Merchandise Vouchers, Free Meet Programs, latest Swimming NSW Event Calendar, Exclusive Invitations to signing sessions and team breakfast