World Aquatics has successfully conducted four comprehensive information sessions for National Federations, welcoming 220 participants from around the globe.
These sessions have been held twice per year since their launch in 2022, and are delivered in English, French and Spanish.
The latest sessions provided National Federations with crucial updates on World Aquatics programmes and support initiatives, covering a wide range of topics including athlete development, coaching education, technical officiating and sustainability initiatives.
Participants received detailed updates on the World Aquatics Scholarship Programme, the Stipendium Hungaricum Sport (SHS) Scholarship Programme and the IOC Scholarship Programme, following a record-breaking year in which 152 athletes from aquatic sports received support through scholarship programmes and the first athletes graduated from the SHS programme.
World Aquatics Scholarships for high diving athletes will be introduced in 2026, and an increasing number of scholarship holders will be hosted at the new World Aquatics Centre of Excellence – Bahrain from next year.
World Aquatics outlined its expanded education initiatives for coaches and technical officials, including the Coaches' Education Programme and the Technical Officials' Education Programme, which offer structured development opportunities across all aquatic sports.
The World Aquatics Coaches’ Certification Courses and Technical Officials Pathway will additionally in 2026.
World Aquatics' dedicated learning platform CORAL, also launched this year, was highlighted for the accessible online education resources it will provide to the global aquatics community.
National Federations received detailed information about support available through the World Aquatics Support Programme and the renewed World Aquatics Mentorship Programme to help them develop aquatic sports at all levels in their countries.
The sessions also emphasised World Aquatics' commitment to growth and environmental responsibility through its Sustainability Blueprint which was unveiled this year and the Discover Water Programme which is helping to tackle drowning prevention worldwide. Both initiatives will be further implemented in 2026.
National Federations also heard an update from the World Aquatics Marketing Department, where activations with World Aquatics’ partners were explored.
World Aquatics is committed to maintaining strong dialogue and partnerships with its National Federations throughout the year, and the information sessions provided an important opportunity to consolidate knowledge of the extensive development support available to them.