- Australia's first and only Endurance Swimming Hub to be established in Perth
- Strengthens Western Australia's capacity to develop world class athletes
- Enabled by a $2.55 million Cook Labor Government investment with the support of the Western Australian Institute of Sport, Swimming Australia and Swimming WA
- Supports the Cook Labor Government's commitment to promoting active healthy lifestyles
Perth will stake its claim as the home for endurance swimming, with the Cook Labor Government today announcing $2.55 million in funding to establish Australia's first and only Endurance Swimming Hub at the Western Australian Institute of Sport (WAIS), in partnership with Swimming Australia and Swimming WA.
The investment will see Perth join a select group of internationally recognised Endurance Swimming Hubs, driving opportunities for swimmers and coaches, strengthening development pathways, and contributing to the growth of the sport Australia-wide.
Building on WA's proud history of producing world-class swimmers and hosting flagship open water swimming events, the hub will provide a dedicated high-performance environment to support current and emerging endurance talent, boosting Australia's medal prospects in Summer Olympic events and aligning with WAIS's long-term performance strategy for the Brisbane 2032 Games.
Operating through an athlete scholarship model, the hub will add to WA's strong sporting ecosystem, drive national and international event hosting opportunities, and strengthen Perth's position as an elite swimming destination. The hub will also continue providing high-performance opportunities for para swimmers competing across other swimming disciplines.
WA was recently named host of the 2027 Open Water Swimming Championships and Short Course Swimming Championships, further reinforcing the State's position as a swimming hub.
As stated by Sport and Recreation Minister Rita Saffioti:
"WA has a rich and proud history of endurance swimming and this is a fantastic investment in its future.
"The Endurance Swimming Hub will cement WA's place on the world stage of competitive swimming, while shaping emerging local talent into elite athletes.
"The Cook Labor Government is proud to partner with Swimming Australia on this exciting initiative, and I look forward to watching how it shapes WA's success at the Brisbane 2032 Games."
