Swimming NSW is proud to announce the recipients of its inaugural Regional Scholarships, a new initiative aimed at easing the financial burden on regional athletes, coaches, and technical officials travelling to state-level events in Sydney run by Swimming NSW.
This $10,000 scholarship program, funded by SNSW from Winter 2025 through to the end of the Summer 2026 season, provides $500 grants to 20 regional participants to assist with travel, accommodation, entry fees, and meal. The program reflects SNSW’s commitment to ensuring equitable access to high-level competition and development opportunities regardless of location.
The 20 scholarships were awarded to regional members that submitted applications from across the following categories:
Athlete Recipients:
- Kobi Skeoch – Sawtell
- Hugo Atkinson – Alstonville
- Ada Ciaccia – Ginninderra
- Josh Spinks – Coolah
- Isabella Oliver – Tumut
- Darcy Davis – Cruiz
- Lukas Ellison – Dapto
- Annabelle Gray – Temora
Coach Recipients:
- Benjamin David Seamer – Valley Aquatic Club
- Terry Jackson – Ulladulla SC
- Daniel Bannerman – Coffs Harbour
- Timothy Arthur – Nuswim
- Renee Pickvance – Macksville
- Paul Dowey – Mingara Aquatic
- Dawn Tukuniu – Albury
Technical Official Recipients:
- Susan Worthington – Oak Flats
- Matt Neale – Lower Blue Mountains
- Priscilla Horsley – Wagga Wagga
- Rita Hall – Woy Woy Swim Club
- Jacqualine Currey – Beresfield
“The participation scholarships are an important step towards supporting our regional members who often face substantial costs to participate in events at SOPAC,” said Swimming NSW CEO Kirsten Thomson OLY. “We are delighted to support these deserving recipients and look forward to seeing them on pool deck in Sydney.”
“This scholarship means I can attend more carnivals at SOPAC with my athletes which means a great deal to the kids. Swimming at SOPAC is super exciting when you only get to go once or twice a year. This also gives me an opportunity to chat and catch up with coaches from all over NSW,” said coach recipient Renee Pickvance.
Technical official Matt Neale added, “Wearing a track to and from SOPAC over the past 20 years from Blaxland early on with the kids and now by myself has been at times entertaining and others tiring after a long Country Championship session. The scholarship offered by SNSW to soften the cost of travel to SOPAC is a great idea and acknowledges that there is an out-of-pocket cost for Technical Officials to ensure swim meets are run fairly, promptly and with a smile.”
The Regional Participation Scholarships program directly supports the Swimming NSW Strategic Plan, focusing on inclusive participation across all corners of the state.
