Applications for the 2027 BSA Swimming Program

The BSA Swimming Program supports talented swimmers from the Barwon Region who are committed to developing their performance, technique and competitive experience.

Working alongside Swimming Victoria and local swimming clubs, BSA provides athletes with additional pathway support, performance education, strength and conditioning and opportunities to prepare for State and National competition.

APPLY FOR 2027

Develop your swimming. Build your pathway.

The BSA Swimming Program is designed to complement the athlete's existing club environment while providing additional support as they progress through the swimming pathway.

The program brings together talented regional swimmers and provides opportunities to develop technical skills, race strategy, physical preparation, mindset and an understanding of what is required to progress toward higher levels of competition.

BSA recognises both the Swimming Victoria pathway and the development opportunities already operating across the Barwon Region.

Our Swimming Program Philosophy

The BSA Swimming Program takes a holistic approach to athlete development, combining technical, tactical and competitive experiences with education and performance support.

The program aims to help more regional swimmers progress toward Junior talent squads, development opportunities, State and National competition and, for eligible athletes, Australian Championship and team selection opportunities.

The program supports athletes to take greater responsibility for their development while building resilience, leadership and the skills needed to succeed in sport and life.

What You'll Develop

Technical Development
Build the technical skills that underpin swimming performance, including:

• Stroke mechanics
• Starts
• Turns
• Finishes
• Efficient movement
• Race-specific technical development

Technical development is supported alongside the athlete's existing club training environment.

Tactical Development
Learn how to approach racing with greater purpose and awareness.

This includes:

• Race planning
• Pacing strategies
• Competition preparation
• Understanding race demands
• Competition mindset
• Learning how to respond to different race situations

Physical Development
Develop the physical qualities required to train and compete effectively through:

• Strength and conditioning
• Sport-specific physical preparation
• Recovery
• Injury prevention
• Understanding training loads
• Understanding your body

Mental Development
Build the mindset and habits that support consistent performance, including:

• Goal setting
• Focus
• Motivation
• Resilience
• Managing competition pressure
• Developing confidence and independence

High Performance Testing

Access to the BSA High Performance Testing Series, with two testing windows each year.

Athlete Profiling & Screening
Athlete profiling and musculoskeletal screening to help identify areas for development and support.

Goal Setting & Athlete Development Planning
Two goal-setting and Athlete Development Plan sessions to help establish priorities and track progress.

Your Swimming Pathway

BSA Swimming sits within the broader Swimming Victoria and Swimming Australia pathway.

Athlete development can progress through stages including:

Foundations → Emerging Talent → Development Squads → Elite Pathway

The pathway recognises opportunities such as Junior Excellence programs, regional championships, development squads and State-level opportunities before progressing toward national and international competition.

The BSA Swimming Program aims to support athletes toward opportunities including Junior talent squads, Marlins, Flippers, all abilities pathways and ultimately higher-level Swimming Victoria opportunities such as the Horton squad.

For athletes progressing through the high-performance pathway, opportunities can lead toward State and National development squads and Australian Championship competition.

More Than Swimming

Being a high-performing swimmer is about more than what happens in the pool.

BSA's athlete education program helps swimmers understand how to train effectively, prepare for competition, look after their bodies and take responsibility for their development.

Education includes:

• Goal setting
• Nutrition for training and competition
• Injury prevention
• Understanding your body
• Understanding training loads and recovery
• Sports psychology and mindset
• Strength and conditioning
• Understanding performance pathway selection criteria
• Insights and Q&A with swimming ambassadors

Athletes also have access to broader BSA education sessions and Q&A opportunities with alumni and elite athletes from multiple sports.

Competition Experience

Competition experience is an important part of athlete development.

The program recognises progression from club competition through to:

• Local and regional meets
• Victorian championships
• State-level competition
• Australian Championships
• National development opportunities
• International competition for top-level athletes

Benchmark programs such as Junior Excellence and Flippers can also help identify and motivate developing swimmers through performance-based benchmarks.

Supporting Your Daily Training Environment

BSA works alongside athletes, families, coaches and clubs rather than replacing the athlete's regular training environment.

The program aims to strengthen the swimmer's Daily Training Environment through:

• Additional performance support
• Strength and conditioning
• Athlete education
• Pathway information
• Athlete management and wellbeing support
• Collaboration between clubs, coaches and pathway organisations

This helps create a more connected development environment around the athlete.

What's Included?

BSA Swimming membership provides access to the broader BSA athlete development program alongside Swimming-specific development opportunities.

Swimming Development

• Swimming-specific development and education
• Technical and tactical development
• Competition and pathway education
• Performance support
• Opportunities to learn from experienced swimmers and ambassadors
• Access to broader pathway opportunities

BSA Athlete Support

Athletes also have access to:

• 15–20+ strength and conditioning sessions across the program
• Sport-specific S&C where appropriate
• Home-based S&C support through the Lumin App
• Athlete education
• Lumin athlete management system
• BSA uniform items
• Gym vouchers for eligible athletes aged 16+
• Musculoskeletal screening for 1st-year athletes
• Discounted physiotherapy services
• Discounted medical imaging
• Selected member partnership benefits

S&C sessions are scheduled around sporting calendars and are designed to transfer training into the athlete's sport.

Who Can Apply?

The BSA Swimming Program is designed for swimmers from the Barwon Region who meet the program's Tier 1 or Tier 2 selection requirements.

For the 2027 program, applicants must:

• Be 12 years or older on 1 February 2027
• Reside in the Barwon Region
• Commit to training, competitions and development programs
• Meet the published Tier 1 or Tier 2 qualifying-time requirements
• Demonstrate commitment to competitive swimming
• Demonstrate a positive attitude and willingness to be coached

Applicants are also expected to have participated in relevant major competitions during the previous season.

Tier 1 & Tier 2 Selection

Tier 1
Tier 1 athletes meet the published qualifying standards for the relevant 100m–1500m events, with the applicable 50m freestyle criteria.

Tier 2
Tier 2 athletes are within the published qualifying-time thresholds for the relevant events.
Tier 2 athletes have a defined period to progress toward Tier 1 qualification within the BSA selection structure.

What Are We Looking For?

Selection considers both performance and the athlete's approach to development.

Performance
Meeting the relevant Tier 1 or Tier 2 qualifying requirements.

Competition Experience
Demonstrated participation in major swimming competitions.

Coachability
A willingness to listen, learn and apply feedback.

Attitude & Commitment
A consistent commitment to training, competition and development.

Development Potential
The capacity and desire to continue progressing through the swimming pathway.

How Selection Works

Applications are reviewed through a selection process involving BSA Swimming representatives, coaches and Swimming Victoria representatives.

Selection is based on qualifying times, performance review and the published Tier 1 and Tier 2 criteria.

Athletes are notified of selection outcomes by email, including relevant induction information.

Program Contacts

Swimming Program Manager

Andelys (Andy) Warren
0431 281 261
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Ready to Take the Next Step?

Your talent can go further here.

If you're ready to develop your swimming, strengthen your preparation and pursue your next opportunity, we'd love to hear from you.

APPLY FOR 2027

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