
Each year significant consideration and consultation is given to creating the Swimming Victoria (SV) competition calendar, with the development of Victorian swimmers at the forefront of all decisions.
The process begins with an internal review, with input from both the Events and Performance Pathways Teams. The key priorities are to ensure that competitions:
- Align with the performance pathways calendar and development of swimmers across the season
- Align with the strategic plan to advance Victorian swimmers, developed in collaboration with Swimming Australia’s Victorian Technical Lead, Tracey Menzies-Stegbauer
- Provide a purpose for swimming members of all abilities, as well as progression for those beginning their swimming journey to those already on the national pathway.
If available, National competition dates are taken into account to ensure there are no clashes and that SV competitions allow for swimmers to progress to the National level and have the time to qualify. Data from relevant surveys conducted, including the Member Insight Survey and Competition Insight Survey is also reviewed to ensure that key feedback and suggestions are considered.
A draft calendar is produced and presented to the SV Competitions Committee for review. Once approved by the Committee, the calendar is presented to the SV Board for approval.
Swimming Victoria is pleased to confirm the 2025/26 Competition Calendar.
We’ve made some improvements to the calendar for this season, these include:
- The Victorian Age LC Championships will be held in March 2026
- The Victorian Metropolitan LC Championships will be held in December 2025
- The Victorian Sprint Championships will move to November 2025
- The Victorian Qualifying Competition will be held across 2 weekends in November 2025 and February 2026
The optimal timing for the Victorian Age LC Championships has been a topic of discussion in recent years, and we recognise that this decision may not please everyone. However, moving the Championships to March ensures that swimmers are racing a pinnacle Age LC competition at the end of the long course season and in the lead up to Australian Age Championships, rather than at the start of the long course season.
The move to March is more equitable for country clubs, where some pools only open in November, allowing them to have more long course training and greater opportunity to race a Victorian Championship event. These swimmers would typically not be racing or training from April - October, making it difficult for them to prepare for a major Championship event in December.
An important consideration is the Pool Refurbishment Project on the Outdoor Pool at MSAC, which will result in restricted access for members. By adjusting the competition calendar, we aim to minimise the impact on swimmers and ensure they still have access to the competition pool.
Other benefits to the changes to the long course season are:
- Splitting the Victorian Qualifying Competition across two weekends in November and February gives swimmers increased opportunities to gain qualifying times and race preparation, particularly in the lead up to the Victorian Age LC Championships and Australian Age Championships.
- Moving the Victorian Metropolitan LC Championships allows for a heats/finals Championship to remain in December, placing more value on this event for metro swimmers.
- Moving the Victorian Sprint Championships to November means families will enjoy a four-week break during the Christmas and New Year period.
- The progression of Championships mimics the short course season where the pinnacle events, Open and Age Championships occur at the end of the season.
Competition dates are subject to change and any changes will be published on the Swimming Victoria website. Please check the website regularly for information and closing dates for entries.
We look forward to another exciting season of Victorian swimming in 2025/26.