This page explains how to nominate for selection in the 12 years and under and 13 to 19 years swimming state teams to compete at the School Sport Australia championships in 2026.

Who can nominate to be selected

To nominate for selection, students must be:

• enrolled at an affiliated school.
• born in 2014, 2015, 2016 for the 12 years and under team.
• born in 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 for the 13 to 19 years team.

To nominate as a multiclass student with disability as above, plus students must hold a classification.

Where and when

12 years and under

Melbourne Sports & Aquatic Centre (MSAC). Albert Park, Victoria.

Sunday 29 November to Thursday 3 December 2026.

Travel dates may vary due to flight availability.

13 to 19 years

Melbourne Sports & Aquatic Centre (MSAC). Albert Park, Victoria.

Saturday 25 to Thursday 30 July 2026.

Travel dates may vary due to flight availability.

Team officials

12 years and under team:

• Coach: TBC
• Coach: TBC
• Coach: TBC
• Team Manager: Patricia Wheeler, St Catherines School - Stirling
• Team Manager: Samuel Finch, St Agnes Primary School
• Team Manager: Sage Blackmore, Golden Grove Primary School
• Team Manager: Eric Kiploks, School Sport SA

13 to 19 years team:

• Coach: TBC
• Coach: TBC
• Coach: TBC
• Team Manager: Patricia Wheeler, St Catherines School - Stirling
• Team Manager: Greg Frost, Elizabeth East Primary School
• Team Manager: Ingrid Cobiac, Unley High School
• Team Manager: Charlotte Twizell, Adelaide High School

The team will be under the supervision of the team officials to meet supervision ratios.

How to nominate for selection

12 years and under team:

Nominations closed 4:00pm Monday 27 April 2026.

13 to 19 years team:

Nominations closed 4:00pm Monday 27 April 2026.

Selection criteria

Meeting the selection criteria and qualifying standards does not guarantee selection in the team. Selection is for individual and relay events. Selection in a School Sport SA state team is final.

• Swimmers must nominate by the due dates listed above.
• Times do not need to be submitted when nominating.
• Selection depends on overall team size (to ensure supervision ratios are adhered to) and maximum number of athletes permitted per event.
• Multiclass students with a disability must hold a current Swimming Australia Classification to be selected.

Swimmers wishing to be considered for possible selection must

• achieve a qualifying time (PDF 83 KB) at the below Selection meets
• be selected to swim in a minimum of 2 individual events.
• demonstrate positive in and out of sport behaviour – this will be considered when selecting the team.
• participate at the School Sport SA Sapsasa State Championships on Monday 23 or Tuesday 24 April 2026 for students in year 4 to 6.

Swimmers unavailable for the School Sport SA Sapsasa (12 years and under) State Championships and wish to be considered for selection must nominate online and email Education.StateTeams@sa.gov.au with valid reasons for unavailability. Inclusion will be made on an individual basis and is the discretion of School Sport SA.

A swimmer who nominates and is eligible for the either year level state team can be selected for any number of events within the minimum and maximum range allowed however, the final decision rests with School Sport SA.

Selection meets

Given that this championship is a long course championships, only long course events will be considered.

Selection in either team is by a priority-based selection as follow.

To be ranked and eligible for selection, swimmers must achieve any entry criteria, attend and swim at one or more of the following long course meets

• Swimming SA Country Championships 4 to 7 January 2026.
• Swimming SA State Open Championships 16 to 18 January 2026.
• Swimming SA State Age Championships 6 to 9 March 2026.
• School Sport SA Secondary State Championships 23-27 February 2026.
• School Sport SA Sapsasa State Championship 23, 24 March 2026.
• Australian Age Championships 11 to 18 April 2026

Selection process

From the selection meets, the following process will take place.

• Swimmers will be ranked based of their best time achieved at one of the selection meets.
• Swimmers will be placed in their respective priority groups as detailed below.

Priority 1 (P1)

Swimmers who have achieved a minimum of 2 individual qualifying times and are ranked in the top 2 or 3 swimmers for events in which they have achieved the qualifying time to the maximum number of entries SA can submit for the relevant event.

Priority 2 (P2)

Swimmers required to be considered for selection to enable relay team entries to the maximum number of entries SA can submit for any relay event.

The teams will be announced after May 1 2026.

Once the team is announced, no replacements will be made after two weeks, even if swimmers withdraw.

School endorsement

Selection in a School Sport SA state team requires endorsement from the student’s school principal before confirming their place in the team. Therefore, parents are advised not to make any arrangements that incur costs until the school has confirmed that the student fulfils all requirements.

Training and championship expectations

All selected team members will be required to attend all team trainings and a team photo shoot.

Country team members travelling more than 2 hours can negotiate their commitment.

The selected student agrees to attend the competition for the full duration including the opening and closing ceremonies and the educational experience.

Accommodation, flights, and daily transport

Parents/caregivers who can accompany their child must book and manage accommodation, flights and daily transport for the entire championship.

Should this not be possible then the family will need to negotiate with School Sport SA to arrange appropriate flights, accommodation, meals and daily transport for their child which will be an additional cost. Negotiations must begin within 1 week of the team being announced.

Championship costs

An individual itemised account will be provided for every student selected in a School Sport SA state team.

12 years and under

The anticipated cost to School Sport SA is approximately $700 which includes levies to participate at the championship and any training costs. Walkout and competition uniforms will be approximately $500 depending on the number of items ordered. This will be a separate online ordering process where payment is made directly to the supplier.

13 to 19 years

The anticipated cost to School Sport SA is approximately $700 which includes levies to participate at the championship and any training costs. Walkout and competition uniforms will be approximately $500 depending on the number of items ordered. This will be a separate online ordering process where payment is made directly to the supplier.

Program and results

See School Sport Australia Swimming for program and results as they are available.