National Age Challenge returns in 2022

04 February 2022
State Based National Age Challenge logo

Swimming Australia, in conjunction with the State Swimming Associations, is proud to announce the return of the State based National Age Challenge in 2022.

Following a highly successful inaugural year, with almost 1,900 athletes from more than 340 clubs around the country participating, the National Age Challenge is set for another exciting program of events in 2022.

Designed for girls and boys (11-14 years old), the Challenge encourages swimmers and their coaches to prepare for meaningful competition at the conclusion of the long course season as a further stepping stone in their journey in the sport.

The State Based National Age Challenge also provides younger swimmers who are not yet eligible to compete at Age Championships the opportunity to compete at state competitions and acquire a national virtual ranking in events – allowing them to see where they’re positioned against competitors from around the country.

The ten eligible events include:

  • 50m, 100m and 200m freestyle
  • 50m and 100m backstroke
  • 50m and 100m breaststroke
  • 50m and 100m butterfly
  • 200m individual medley

Swimming Australia General Manager Sport Development, Kym McMahon, said the Challenge was an important component of the competition pathway.

“It was fantastic to see so many athletes and coaches engage in the Challenge in its first full year as it reinforced the purpose of this important stepping stone,” McMahon said.

“It was our intention to create meaningful and fun competition, as well as a genuine benchmark opportunity, and with more than one thousand athletes ranking in either the top 5%, 15%, 25% or 50% of their peers it was certainly a success.”

“We are looking forward to seeing how the Challenge continues to evolve and would like to thank our State Associations for their ongoing support of this concept to ensure it has the opportunity to grow.”

The following meets will be available as part of the 2022 State based National Age Challenge, with all running as part of the respective State Age Championships:

Victoria - Victorian Age LC Championships (10-14 March)

New South Wales - NSW Junior State Age Championships (26-27 March)

Queensland - 2022 Speedo National Preparation Meet & Jess Schipper Challenge (19-20 March)

Western Australia - WA Hancock Prospecting Junior LC Championships (25-27 March)

Tasmania - 2022 LC Championships (11-14 March)

South Australia - 2022 SA State Age LC Championships (10-14 March)

Results from the Northern Territory Age Challenge, conducted in December 2021, will also be incorporated into the overall standings.

Following the conclusion of all seven meets, Swimming Australia will create a national ranking which will be recognised and celebrated on Swimming Australia’s website.

Female swimmers who are 13 and 14 years old and registered to compete at the 2021 Australian Age Championships will not be eligible to obtain a national ranking at the conclusion of the State Based National Age Challenge.

Male swimmers who are 14 years old and registered to compete at the 2021 Australian Age Championships will not be eligible to obtain a national ranking at the conclusion of the State Based National Age Challenge.

Please note, the events on offer at each meet may vary from those listed in this article and will depend on each respective State or Territory’s program of events.

Participants don’t need to register, just enter the above competitions via Swim Central, as you usually would.

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