Swimming NSW is proud to announce that the 2023/24 SNSW State Squads have been decided and the successful squad members were formally inducted into their respective squads at a ceremony at Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre (SOPAC) on Friday 30 June 2023.
Attended by athlete guest speakers from the NSW Institute of Sport, Melissa Wu and Gordon Allen, the Swimming NSW Board, and coaches, more than 160 inductees were individually awarded a certificate and cap on pool deck as they were announced into their squads, becoming the newest cohort of ‘Mighty Blues’ representatives.
Swimming NSW CEO, Kirsten Thomson, said the organisation was committed to identifying and developing talent within the Swimming NSW community and supporting NSW athletes to achieve success at the highest levels of the sport.
“Our squads are a fundamental part of our Performance Pathway Program, which aims to nurture and support high-potential athletes. The program is aligned to the Swimming Australia athlete pathway to give swimmers, their parents, and coaches a clear pathway to success in the sport.
“From identifying and mentoring emerging talent to preparing athletes for national selection, these squads help to support and develop our athletes at the different stages of their swimming journey and prepare them for success at their respective levels of competition.
“I congratulate all of the deserving and talented athletes inducted for 2023/24. Their selection is recognition of their hard work and commitment, and we look forward to working with them over the coming year to continue to develop their potential.”
The ceremony celebrated athletes announced into the following five performance squads:
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Flippers Squad focusses on grooming elite level swimmers for selection on the national team and performance excellence in Olympic arena. Athletes in this squad have demonstrated success at the National Age or Open level and are either representing Australia on the Junior international stage or on the cusp of selection onto the Australian Junior or Senior team.
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Target Squad aims to identify high-performing swimmers in the upper National Age group from NSW and provide resources to facilitate continuous improvement in performance and personal development.
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Open Water Squad focuses on recognizing the top National level open water swimmers in NSW. Support is provided to help these athletes aim for selection onto the Australian Swim Team.
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Para Development Squad provides emerging Para swimmers with educational opportunities to support their training and personal development. The activities aim to maintain motivation and improve performance, with the ultimate goal of achieving success at the national level and securing a place on a National Team or Squad. The squad members participate in training sessions that involve the Swimming Australia (SA) Testing Protocols, along with targeted personal development education.
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Shark Squad supports emerging swimmers in the younger National Age group. The program helps them develop technical skills, gain racing experience through quality age-group competitions, maintain motivation, and foster holistic personal growth.
Visit the SNSW State Squads page on our website for a complete list of all 2023/24 squad members. Athletes interested in gaining a spot on next year’s State Squads can also visit this page for detailed information on the selection criteria.
Those who are not quite ready for a State Squad may qualify for the athlete performance pathway at the area level and can find out more about their next steps on the Swimming NSW Performance Pathway Program page.
