Swimming NSW Award Nominations

GENERAL INFORMATION - 2025

  1. Nominations will include performances and achievements achieved throughout the period of 1 April 2024 to 1 April 2025.
  2. Nominations will open 31 March 2025 and close 5pm 1 May 2025.
  3. Submissions must be made via the online nomination form HERE

Process for nomination:

  • Any paid member of Swimming NSW may nominate via the SNSW website (see link above). SNSW staff members may also nominate.
  • All nominations will be reviewed by the SNSW Executive and a list of recommended finalists and winners will be developed.
  • Recommendations will be provided to the SNSW Board for endorsement (including the long list of nominations for transparency).
  • Presentations will take place at a time and place determined by the SNSW Board.
  • The Board, at its absolute discretion, may revoke a SNSW Award and reserves the right to use its discretion when selecting the winners and finalists.

Eligibility:

To be eligible….

  • A swimmer must be a financial member of SNSW, and clubs and Areas must be affiliated with SNSW.
  • Where a nominee resides interstate or overseas, they must hold a current membership with SNSW and be eligible to compete for NSW.
  • Coaches must be affiliated with a SNSW club.
  • A Technical Official must be affiliated with a SNSW club.
  • Nominees must have been a member of SNSW at the time of the results being achieved.
  • Nominees must not have breached the policies within the National Integrity Framework or be under investigation for breaches of SNSW or Swimming Australia policies.

AWARD CATEGORIES

Olympic Program Swimmer of the Year award recognises the outstanding performance of a swimmer based on the following criteria:

1. Performances at a benchmark event (e.g. Olympics, World Championships)

2. Performances at other major international events (e.g. Pan Pacs, Junior Worlds, World Cups)

3. Performances at the national open events (e.g. National Open, Trials)

3. Quality of performance e.g. depth of field, competition

Paralympic Program Swimmer of the Year award recognises the outstanding performance of a para / multiclass swimmer based on the following criteria:

1. Performances at a benchmark event (e.g. Paralympics, World Championships)

2. Performances at other major international events (e.g. World Cups)

3. Performances at the national open events (e.g. National Open, Trials)

3. Quality of performance e.g. depth of field, competition

Open Water Program Swimmer of the Year award recognises the outstanding performance of an open water swimmer based on the following criteria:

1. Performances at a benchmark event (e.g. Olympics, World Championships)

2. Performances at other major international events (e.g. World Cups)

3. Performances at the national open events (e.g. National Open, Trials)

3. Quality of performance e.g. depth of field, competition

Youth Swimmer of the Year award recognises the outstanding performance of a swimmer that is 18 yrs & under based on the following criteria (note the swimmer can be from pool & open water & be able bodied or an athlete with a disability).

1. Performances at a benchmark event (e.g. Olympics, World Championships)

2. Performances at other major international events (e.g. World Cups,

Youth World Championships)

3. Performances at the national events (e.g. National Open, Trials, Australian Age)

3. Quality of performance e.g. depth of field, competition

Coach of the Year award recognises the outstanding achievement of a NSW coach based on the following criteria:

1. Performance impact to an outstanding individual or team performance at benchmark events

2. Performance impact of coaching innovation and initiatives

NB: To be eligible a coach must be a formally accredited coach, approved by Swimming Australia under the National Coaching Framework and be coaching NSW swimmers.

Club of the Year (Metro) award recognises the outstanding achievement of an affiliated NSW metro club based on the following criteria:

1. Leadership and Culture – club promotes and delivers a culture that is inclusive, safe and fun and demonstrates sound governance practices.  

2. Athletes and Pathways – performance and progression of the club’s athletes at state, national and international events (note: a club does not need to have athletes competing at a national or international level to be eligible).

3. Innovation – establishment of an environment and practices that encourage innovation within the club.

4. Other relevant club achievements e.g. growth in membership.

Club of the Year (Regional) award recognises the outstanding achievement of an affiliated NSW regional club based on the following criteria:

1. Leadership and Culture – club promotes a culture and delivers that is inclusive, safe and fun and demonstrates sound governance practices.

2. Athletes and Pathways – performance and progression of the club’s athletes at state, national and international events (note: a club does not need to have athletes competing at a national or international level to be eligible).

3. Innovation – establishment of an environment and practices that encourage innovation within the club.

4. Other relevant club achievements e.g. growth in membership.

Area of the Year award recognises the outstanding achievement of an affiliated NSW Area based on the following criteria:

1. Leadership and Culture – Area promotes and delivers a culture that is inclusive, safe and fun and demonstrates sound governance practices.

2. Athletes and Pathways – Provides clear pathways and participation opportunities for local swimmers and officials.

3. Innovation – demonstrates innovative activities that inspire, drive participation and modernise the sport.

4. Actively engages and attends SNSW Area President’s Meetings and communicates information to members.

5. Other relevant Area achievements e.g. growth in membership.

Volunteer of the Year award recognises a volunteer who has provided contributions above and beyond typical volunteer duties in NSW, giving up their time and energy for the betterment of the sport throughout the nomination period (please note this is not a Swimming NSW Service Award) and is based on the following criteria:

  1. Consistent and dedicated involvement in swimming programs, clubs or events.
  2. Impact on the swimming community that has improved the experience of swimmers, coaches or officials.
  3. Efforts in developing swimming programs, supporting athletes or enhancing club operations.
  4. Positive influence on creating safe and inclusive swimming environments
  5. Taking on leadership roles (e.g. organising events, fundraising, committee roles, mentoring new volunteers).
  6. Demonstrates fairness, respect and encourages teamwork.

Technical Official of the Year recognises an individual who has attained a level of excellence in the field of officiating and whose performance sets them apart from their peers. The nominee’s achievements for the year must have been of such a standard of excellence to warrant their receipt of this award and is based on the following criteria:

  1. Level of officiating and participation at club, regional, state, national and international levels
  2. Achievements over the period
  3. Contribution to the development of Technical Officials
  4. Contribution to the sport of Swimming

Staff Member of the Year award recognises outstanding dedication, performance and contribution to the organisation based on the following criteria:

  1. Consistently demonstrates a strong commitment to SNSW’s vision and values.
  2. Delivers high quality work that positively impacts SNSW operations.
  3. A valuable contributor to team culture and leads by example, inspiring others through their work ethic and attitude.

Note: Nominations will not be open for this award. The CEO will make a recommendation to the Board. There will be no finalists within the category.

COACH RECOGNITION

Swimming NSW coach recognition honors NSW based coaches who have been selected as official Australian team coaches at international benchmark events. Their names will be displayed on signage at all Swimming NSW events at Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre and updated every Olympic quad cycle starting in 2025.

Eligibility:

To be eligible for recognition, a coach must:

  • Be accredited under Swimming Australia’s National Coaching Framework.
  • Be a registered and financial member of a Swimming NSW club at the time of selection.
  • Have been appointed as an official Australian team coach at one or more of the following benchmark events:
    • Olympic Games
    • Paralympic Games
    • Commonwealth Games
    • Pan Pacific Championships
    • World Aquatics World Championships
    • World Aquatics World Short Course Championships

Recognition Process:

Newly recognised coaches will be formally announced annually at the Swimming NSW Awards event.

The Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre Swimming NSW visible signage recognition list will be updated every four years in line with the Olympic / Paralympic cycle.

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