The performance pathway from a regional swimmer to making the Australian Dolphins Swim Team follows a structured progression through club, state, and national levels, ultimately leading to international representation. Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of the journey.
Swimmers begin by competing in club nights and local swim meets within their region (e.g., Wide Bay, Queensland).
The focus is on skill development, race experience, and achieving personal bests.
The Junior Excellence (JX) Program plays a key role in early talent identification, recognising and encouraging young swimmers as they reach important benchmarks.
Swimmers progress to regional-level competitions such as the Wide Bay Championships (Short Course and Long Course).
These events help swimmers work towards qualifying times for state-level competitions.
In conjunction with Swimming Queensland, we provide opportunities for swimmers to enhance their skills, refine their technique, and gain valuable racing experience alongside peers from across the state.
Link: https://swimmingwidebay.org.au/development-squads/
Link: https://swimmingwidebay.org.au/battle-of-brisbane/
Link: https://swimmingwidebay.org.au/relay-events/
Swimmers who show potential may be selected for development squads, such as:
Useful Link: https://qld.swimming.org.au/athlete-development/our-squads-teams
Based on performances at national championships, eligible swimmers may be invited into:
Useful Link: https://www.swimming.org.au/performance/pathways/high-performance-pathways
To make the Australian Dolphins Swim Team, a swimmer must:
Meet the required national qualifying times.
Selection trials determine teams for Olympics, World Championships, and Commonwealth Games.
Performance at trials must align with Swimming Australia’s official selection policies, which can change from event to event. It is essential to check the latest selection criteria before trials.
Swimmers must meet Swimming Australia’s A or B qualifying standards.
Swimmers must finish in the top 2 or 4, depending on the event and specific selection criteria.
Useful Link:
https://www.swimming.org.au/performance/elite/selection-criteria
This pathway requires years of dedication, consistent training, and performance at key selection meets. Many Australian Dolphins began their journey as regional swimmers, proving that with talent, hard work, and the right opportunities, athletes can reach the highest levels of the sport.
No experience is needed; we provide all the necessary training and guidance to get started. Whether you’re a parent, a former swimmer, or simply a fan of the sport, joining our team of technical officials is a rewarding way to contribute to the swimming community and make a real difference!
We have a dedicated Trainee TO Manager who is happy to answer your queries and guide you along the journey.
Simply email: